The White Mountain National Forest is located in the mountains of western Maine and New Hampshire. One of the entry points to the area is through Gilead, Maine about 20 miles from where we live. I spent a lot of my childhood in this area because this is where my mom grew up. I didn’t … More Camping with Onyx in the White Mountain National Forest (2014)
I learned about equine therapy at a veteran retreat in Bluemont, Virginia. I immediately experienced a lot of anxiety around the large animals but as we worked more with the horses, I realized that I could work through that anxiety in many ways. As a result of the interest that had been sparked, I decided … More Equine Therapy for Veterans: A Gentle Respect
Obituary: Gerard Paul Dupont, 88, of Gilead, Maine passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Ledgeview Living Center. He was born in St. Lambert, De Lauzon, Quebec, Canada on November 11, 1925 the son of Napoleon and Leda Guay Dupont. He married Edna Dion on August 16, 1947 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage … More Gerard Paul Dupont, 88, of Gilead, Maine Passed Away (2014)
The entire time we lived in rural Maine, we watched the cops, authorities, and the media dehumanize Maine citizens. They turned traumatized people, those with disabilities, those who are poor, and those who were sick and/or addicted into criminals to justify the budgets to keep their fat government jobs funded in an area where there … More Bangor Daily News Reported “Maine Woman Shot By Rumford Police Accused of Threatening Authorities With a Knife” (2014)
OFFICER X IS INVOLVED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING (2014): EXAMPLE OF E-MAIL SENT TO LOCAL MEDIA AFTER INCIDENT: RESPONSE FROM THE REPORTER AT THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD: LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO INVESTIGATES ALL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS (2014): April 11, 2014 To Whom It May Concern (Attorney General): My name is Jennifer Norris and … More Complaint to Maine Attorney General: Overview of Police Officer’s Disturbing History Prior to Officer Involved Shooting of A Suicidal Woman With Mental Illness (2014)
“A 25-year-old suicidal woman armed with a knife was shot and wounded by a veteran Rumford police officer late Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. She was hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition late Tuesday night. The Maine Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the police shooting, and the officer involved, Sgt. Tracey … More Portland Press Herald Reported “Reportedly Suicidal Woman Shot by Rumford Cop” (2014)
At thirty, you think you still have time. Time to ask more questions. Time to sit a little longer at the kitchen table. Time to notice the small things—like how your father always paused before answering, not because he didn’t know what to say, but because he wanted to say it right. You don’t expect … More Navigating Life After Losing a Parent: Jennifer, Lee, Onyx and Sarge Visit William R. Stowell’s Gravesite on the 12th Anniversary of Death (September 14, 2013)
Jennifer got Onyx in May 2013 at a program for veterans called K9s for Warriors. Not only was Onyx an awesome companion during some of the most difficult times in our lives but the woman who ran K9s for Warriors with her son was a loving person we all referred to as “mom.” She really … More A Quiet Lifeline: How Onyx Helped Us Survive Relentless Online Bullying; Jennifer, Lee and Onyx Go For a Jeep Ride in Western Maine (August 10, 2013)
There are dates that don’t pass quietly. They return each year with weight—carrying memory, love, and a kind of ache that never really leaves. My dad’s birthday is one of those days. In 2013, Lee and I chose not to spend it in silence or avoidance. Instead, we drove to Sunday River Ski Resort in … More The Power of Shared Memories: Jennifer and Lee Celebrate William R. Stowell’s Birthday at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine (March 21, 2013)
Editor’s Note: Protect Our Defenders was in their infancy when they preyed on Jennifer in 2012. We were not affiliated with them; they invited us to participate in some press functions in Washington D.C. and then used Jennifer and her story to get where they are today. We do not endorse Protect Our Defenders whatsoever … More Air Force NCO Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC; It Negatively Impacted Health, Safety & the Trajectory of Her Life (2013)
Jennifer and Lee 