The new LIFE. identity grew out of something deeply personal. Losing Dawne changed the direction of my life, but it did not erase the life we shared or end my own story. The red thread represents connection across time: love, grie…
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Joey Montes
Joey Montes
Joey Montes
Joey Montes
Losing Dawne was devastating, but the trauma of trying to resuscitate her left another wound entirely. PTSD affected me physically, psychologically, and emotionally. I lost more than 100 pounds, stopped caring for myself, lost hope, questioned my faith and worth, and later suffered a stroke. Peace finally began when I stopped tr…
Losing Dawne changed the shape of my life. Grief did not follow a schedule, and neither did healing. Over time, and even while dealing with the effects of a stroke, I learned that grieving was not something I needed to defeat. I needed to allow myself to feel it, carry it, and eventually make room for peace beside it.
Walking became an important part of preparing for my L4-L5 TLIF fusion, but after my stroke it was no longer automatic. Persistent left-side weakness, stiffness, visual impairment, and the need to retrain my left leg changed every mile into both physical preparation and neurological practice.
Before my L4-L5 TLIF fusion on August 4, 2026, I made walking a major part of preparing myself physically and mentally for surgery. On many days, I walked eight to ten miles—not because everyone facing spine surgery should do the same, but because it was something I could do, and it became part of how I prepared for what was ahe…
Reimagined vintage Polaroid-style portrait of Dawne and Joey embracing and smiling at the beach during a warm sunset, with the ocean and evening sky behind them.
Reimagined vintage Polaroid-style portrait of Dawne and Joey holding white coffee mugs close to their faces, with their eyes visible above the cups. Dawne wears a denim shirt, and Joey wears a black shirt.
A reimagined nine-frame vintage Polaroid collage of Dawne and Joey smiling, embracing, sharing coffee, and enjoying moments together by the beach and indoors.
Heather and Joey leaning close together across a wooden table in Dresden in 2021. Joey wears a black Rolling Stones T-shirt and a gold chain. Heather wears a black lace top. The image has a vintage Polaroid-style border.
Heather and Joey leaning close together in a warm indoor portrait in Dresden in 2021. Joey wears a black Rolling Stones T-shirt and Heather wears a black lace top. The photograph has a vintage instant-film border.
Reimagined vintage Polaroid-style portrait of Joey and Dawne sitting close together, smiling and holding white coffee mugs in warm indoor light.
Reimagined vintage Polaroid-style portrait of Joey and Dawne together, with Dawne resting her head against Joey and smiling in warm indoor light.
Joey in an autumn 2026 portrait wearing a tailored navy blazer and open-collar white dress shirt, with short salt-and-pepper hair, brown eyes, and a neatly groomed beard against a softly lit neutral background.
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