
A woman with cerebral palsy falls in love for the first time (story told through translator due to speech impediment). Janice Bartley is a graduate of The MothSHOP Community Program and a speaker for the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State.
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Dan Kennedy
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Janice Bartley
Use the code Moth welcome to the Moth Podcast. I'm Dan Kennedy and the Moth features true stories told live without notes. All stories from the podcast are taken from our ongoing storytelling series in New York, Los Angeles and from our tour shows across the country. Visit themoth.org the story you're about to hear by Janice Bartley was recorded live at the Moth main stage in 2008. The theme of the night was New York stories, and it showcased some of the best stories from our Moth Shop community program, which provides storytelling workshops to underserved communities here in New York City. For more information, visit themoth.org.
Alex
Hey.
Jason
I live in the Bronx, New York.
Alex
Hey.
Jason
This is my friend Alex, and she's gonna help me tell my story to you tonight.
Alex
O.B. hey, Jason. Hey, uncle. Hey, Jacob.
Jason
I want people to see me as a bright, intelligent, and, of course, a sexy woman. My story is about my first real relationship.
Alex
Mm, no. It was in a summer in New Jersey.
Jason
It was in the summer in New Jersey at a camp called Camp Oakhurst. I used to go there to swim and do activities. One day, I was hanging out with my friends in the dining hall, a very good.
Alex
Way. But.
Jason
I noticed an older guy with black hair and a great smile.
Alex
He was a green giant.
Jason
He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me.
Alex
He was checking me out.
Jason
He was checking me out.
Alex
Going, we.
Jason
Got to know each other during the next two weeks. We talked a lot, and we got to know each other.
Alex
Yes. And we had a good game.
Jason
We laughed, and we had a good time.
Alex
Yeah, I. We had our first kiss on our.
Jason
Last night, we had our first kiss.
Alex
It was good.
Jason
Let me tell you. It was good.
Alex
It made me be good, be good. I was really young, and you had a boyfriend.
Jason
It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again.
Alex
I'll go home. I can't figure up on him.
Jason
After I got home, I kept thinking about him.
Alex
Are we here? He love me.
Jason
A week later, the phone rang.
Alex
It was him.
Jason
It was him. I was excited, happy, Happy. I was dancing. After that, we started dating.
Alex
Again.
Jason
We went out to movies, out to eat. He'd come and pick me up in his car, and we'd park and we'd park.
Alex
About. We got a big cake.
Jason
After a while, we got pretty serious.
Alex
It was good. We good.
Jason
It was really good.
Alex
Sex.
Jason
Finally, we started talking about sex.
Alex
Okay, I would never happen.
Jason
I thought it would never happen. But one day, he asked me to spend the night for New Year Eve. For New Year's Eve.
Alex
Okay. Oh, my God. Because I was living with my parents.
Jason
I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents.
Alex
He was my only One.
Jason
And he was older than me.
Alex
Oh, my God. King. My mom.
Jason
So I wrote a letter to my mom.
Alex
He was having a party.
Jason
I told my mom he was having.
Alex
A party and people were staying over.
Jason
And people were staying over.
Alex
He drank and I would be sleeping.
Jason
And that I would be sleeping on the couch.
Alex
I knew I would be sleeping.
Jason
But I knew I wouldn't be sleeping on the couch.
Alex
Okay, my mom, okay, you could go.
Jason
My mom said, okay, you can go.
Alex
My sister and my husband.
Jason
My sister and my home attendant drove me to his house.
Alex
Hey, how mommy you help. I was trying, helping.
Jason
On the way to his house, I was excited, happy and anxious.
Alex
My head was going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
Jason
My heart was going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
Alex
Because I know it was. It was going to be my first everything.
Jason
Because I knew it was going to be my first everything. And I was worried that I could please him and that he could please me.
Alex
When you have a baby.
Jason
When we arrived to his house, his house was beautiful. Everything was a bag and everything was in place. His dining room was set up so amazing.
Alex
A burger, orange. He had a bow, a ring, a.
Jason
Bowie, a bottle of wine.
Alex
All right. He made me. He prepared seafood for me, and he.
Jason
Prepared seafood for me.
Alex
But my secret, my humming.
Jason
And being the man that he is, he invited my sister and my home attendant to have dinner with us. And everything was magnifico. After dinner, we moved to the living room and had conversation. It was nice, but my hand was giving.
Alex
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
Jason
But my heart was still boom, boom.
Alex
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
Jason
I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind. And after a while, my home attendant and my sister were out of there.
Alex
I was going in the skin.
Jason
I won't go into details, but I will tell you this. It was the best New Year's I ever had.
Alex
I baby jungle. Even though.
Jason
I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move.
Alex
I go, yeah.
Jason
And I also realized that. And I also realized someone could see me for the real woman that I am and not just my disability.
Alex
Thank you. Thank you.
Janice Bartley
Janice Bartley is a graduate of the mothchop community program and speaker for the self Advocacy association of New York State. The MOTH is a non profit organization. So consider supporting our free podcast by going to our podcast. Com contribution page or by becoming a moth member and you can do that at the moth.org and also moth stories are now available on itunes by running a search for the best of the MOTH and include today's story, which can be found on the Best of the Moth Volume 14. To learn more about this and all of the Moth's upcoming shows and our corporate events and training program, Visit our.
Dan Kennedy
Website, themoth.org Our podcast host, Dan Kennedy.
Jason
Is the author of the book Rock An Office Power Ballad.
Dan Kennedy
Learn more@rockonthebook.com thanks to all of you.
Janice Bartley
For listening and we hope you have a story worthy week. Podcast audio production by Paul Ruest at the Argo Studios in New York Podcast hosting by PRX Public Radio Exchange helping make public radio more public@prx.org.
Podcast Summary: The Moth – "Janice Bartley: Italian Stallion"
Introduction
In the February 15, 2010 episode of The Moth titled "Italian Stallion," host Janice Bartley presents a heartfelt and engaging true story that delves into themes of love, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. Recorded live at the Moth main stage in 2008, this narrative unfolds against the backdrop of New York City's vibrant community storytelling scene. Bartley’s storytelling is enriched by the collaborative efforts of her friend Alex, who assists in conveying the emotional depth of the experience.
Main Story
Setting the Scene
Jason, the protagonist, begins her tale by introducing herself and her friend Alex, who supports her in sharing the story. Set during a summer at Camp Oakhurst in New Jersey, Jason recounts her experiences of daily activities like swimming and engaging in camp events.
First Attraction
At a dining hall gathering with friends, Jason notices an older man with distinctive black hair and a captivating smile. “He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me” (05:12). This mutual attraction sets the stage for the unfolding romance. Over the next two weeks, Jason and the man—whom we learn as King—develop a connection marked by laughter and meaningful conversations. “We laughed, and we had a good time” (06:01).
Developing the Relationship
As their relationship deepens, they share their first kiss under the summer stars. “Last night, we had our first kiss” (06:19), Jason recalls, highlighting both the joy and the anxiety that come with young love. Being 26 and inexperienced in relationships, this moment is both exhilarating and daunting. “It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again” (06:46).
Deciding to Spend New Year's Eve Together
A week into their blossoming relationship, Jason receives a call from King, indicating he wants to take their relationship further by inviting her to spend New Year’s Eve at his home. Torn between excitement and apprehension, especially since she still lives with her parents, Jason decides to proceed with support from her family. “I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents” (09:21).
The Evening at King’s House
Upon arriving, Jason is struck by the ambiance of King’s home—every detail meticulously arranged. “His house was beautiful. Everything was a bag and everything was in place. His dining room was set up so amazing” (11:46). The evening progresses with a carefully prepared seafood dinner, and as the night unfolds, Jason experiences a whirlwind of emotions. She shares, “I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind” (13:25), capturing the profound connection they share.
The Outcome and Realization
While Jason chooses not to delve into the intimate details of the night, she emphasizes the positive impact it had on her. “It was the best New Year's I ever had” (14:05). More importantly, the experience led to a significant personal realization. Despite living with a disability, Jason acknowledges her ability to form deep, meaningful relationships. “I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move” (14:33). This newfound self-awareness empowers her to embrace her identity beyond her disability, fostering a sense of self-worth and acceptance.
Conclusion
Jason’s story, as narrated by Janice Bartley, is a poignant exploration of love overcoming personal challenges. It underscores the importance of being seen for one’s true self and the transformative power of vulnerability in building meaningful connections. Through her narrative, Bartley invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and self-acceptance.
Notable Quotes
Jason on First Attraction:
“He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me.” (05:12)
Jason on First Kiss:
“Last night, we had our first kiss. Let me tell you. It was good.” (06:19)
Jason on Relationship Impact:
“It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again.” (06:46)
Jason on New Year's Decision:
“I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents.” (09:21)
Jason on Emotional Connection:
“I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind.” (13:25)
Jason on Personal Realization:
“I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move.” (14:33)
Final Thoughts
Janice Bartley’s storytelling in "Italian Stallion" offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of young love and the journey towards self-acceptance. The use of vivid imagery and emotional honesty invites listeners to empathize deeply with Jason’s experiences. This episode exemplifies The Moth’s mission to showcase authentic, impactful stories that resonate universally.
Attributions
Listen More
To explore more stories like "Italian Stallion," visit themoth.org or search for The Moth on iTunes under "Best of The Moth Volume 14."