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Despite knowing the journey and where it leads, I embrace it and I welcome every moment of it.
- Dr. Louise Banks, Arrival
My mom was an absolute badass.
She spent her life fighting and advocating for her community and other people, all while navigating an unspeakable amount of personal tragedy. She’s always been my role model.
When I was in college, she was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease (HD), a rare condition of which there is no cure. It's a genetic disorder that is often described as a combination of ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
Children of people who carry the marker have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it, and a blood test can confirm the genetic mutation. A score of 40 or above means you will, without question, develop HD.
My mom’s score was 41…mine is 43.
In getting my result, the last thing I wanted to do was give up. I was determined to refocus my life; shed all of the anxiety and junk that consumes our lives as humans. I wanted to concentrate on more meaningful things, like being more present and making deeper connections. This meant prioritizing family, walking more intentionally with God, serving others, and living authentically.
by Steven Brooks Johnson
Through this refocusing, I found an intense sense of clarity and purpose. And with that renewed perspective, I created 43Places, to welcome the difficult things in life: the beauty amidst the heartbreak, and the resilience amidst adversity. 43Places is a reminder that everyone is struggling with something we may know nothing about. 43Places is more than a design studio; we are a group of humans striving to create supportive communities, uplift those in need, and help others tell their stories.
At 43Places, we provide space for a new type of community, one that fosters a new way of thinking about the large-scale civic challenges that face us. We lean into the soul of those with whom we work.
We embody a mindset of compassion and perseverance; intentionally working in a way that helps facilitate stronger spaces and places, where people can grow and pursue their passions.
The more joy, empathy, and gratitude we can have in this life, the better. After all, it’s up to each and every one of us to choose how we show up every single day.
Steven Brooks Johnson
Founder + Creative Director