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Diana Kim hadn’t seen her father in decades. And she certainly wasn’t expecting to find him among a group of homeless people she was documenting in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 30-year-old learnt her trade from her father, whom she lived with in the Island of Maui, together with her mother. But when her parents split, Kim began to live with friends and relatives, and gradually lost touch with her father.
In 2003, Kim began a long-term photo-project about the homeless. Almost 10 years later, she was shocked to discover her father among them.
Not only that, but she also learnt that he suffered from severe schizophrenia. He was not always responsive as he had not received any treatment for his condition.
Diana told NBC News: “I can’t count the number of times I sat next to my father on the street, wondering how his future would look like. I would sit there and pray quietly, just asking for a miracle and wishing that he would accept assistance. He would refuse to get treatment, take any medications, eat, bathe, or wear new clothes.”
“I wasn’t sure if he would get better. There were times when I thought he would die there on that street.”
Diana would take her father food and keep him company, urging him to seek treatment. But it wasn’t until a heart-attack last Autumn that he was finally convinced.
“Having the heart attack truly saved his life. It gave him the opportunity to get back on a treatment plan. And he has been on it ever since,” Diana says.
Diana’s father is now doing well.
He is receiving treatment, looking for a part-time job, and even plans to visit his family in South Korea.
“Every day is a gift. Some days are more challenging than others, but seeing my father in the flesh is a constant reminder of the strength of the human spirit and how precious life is.”
“My father is doing really well today. He is really proud of the fact that he has overcome such incredible adversity… He has goals, he has hope, and he has the will to succeed…”
Watch Diana and her father talking about his progress below:
Find out more on Diana Kim’s website, Facebook page, and visit the Kickstarter campaign for her project.