I explained my summer fellowship and the reasons for my trip to Knoxville, to report on post-9/11 veterans. He grew more curious, telling me about his work with veterans as a rehab counselor.
Then, without much hesitation, he said: "Do more, the work you are doing is really important."
So, I will.
I am just about at the halfway point in my in-depth reporting project, but there is much more work ahead. In addition to finalizing published material, I can curate the extra content I have into different multimedia elements or just as standalone pieces.
Either way, it will be done.
Gradually into the conversation with Charles, he mentioned some of his health complications and I shared with him my 12-year (and counting) tenure with Type 1 Diabetes.
He shot off another quick reply.
"You're really needed," he said. "Make sure you take care of your Diabetes."
