Golden Crumb from Canada writes: 'The only time we'll get along is when we're buried in the dirt.'
This statement was very profound, and illustrates how traumatic addiction is for everyone involved. I hope that the gentleman featured in this story and his family find a place of mutual love and acceptance.
And I wish them the best in their quest for a drug-free life. They are very courageous.
Reader comments from original feature
Mike Macdonald from Los Angeles United States writes: One can't help but feel compassion for these people. He loves her and though they have the monkey on their backs, they aren't that different from you or me. My brother, reg, suffered from addiction, and his writings gave a perspective on life as an addict, much like this story. If you are interested in that perspective, try mereggie.com
varun xm from Toronto Canada writes: What reaction can one have but that of prayer. That one can find a reason to live and someone to love, when the odds are stacked so heavily against one, this is nothing but a triumph of humanity. Raven and Jason are very brave and I learned something from them.
Fugget About It from Victoria Canada writes: I am in awe over this beautiful, sad and well displayed short film. I always find it quite astounding that living conditions such as the downtown eastside exist.
I could have easily ended up like Jason and Raven but chose another path, eventually.
Thank you for doing this and I hope for a better life for Jason and Raven.
Jonathan Earp from Canada writes: I was deeply moved. Words seem so empty in the face of such love and need, my understanding so shallow. I hope many watch and try to understand, I hope Raven and Jason's way may be eased but always as full of love.
Dennis Menard from Canada writes: Jason and Raven showed that love is everywhere no matter how difficult the challenges and lifestyles are. Nothing would make me feel better than to see them succed in their attempt at a new start.
Sherry Hinkley from Belleville/Hamilton writes: I just want to say that I think this was really great. I'm in school right now for Photojournalism and will soon be learning to incorportate photos and video to make documentary style pieces like that. I think it was really well done and it makes me excited to start doing my own. Aside from a technical standpoint, the content was very real and gritty, and it's videos like that that give us all a wake-up call. Thank you for sharing Jason and Raven's story.
Jim Young from Newfoundland writes: Sad and beautiful.
Laura Labelle from Ladysmith Canada writes: I sure hope those that voted for Campbell and his crew realize they are responsible for the way we treat people like Jason and Raven.
Olympics and mega million structures for them are the priority of this government. Shame.
G Young from Canada writes: Thank you for showing the humanity of individuals many of us write off in our own minds as worthless. Addiction is a sad vortex that no one really intends to get into. The tenderness they share truly inspires.
Ian Camp from Vancouver/Afghanistan writes: I know of both of these people, as I live less than two blocks from them on Hastings street. An ugly truth is that the services provided out here are dependent on her not being with him.
The stories of the down town east side, many of which have similarities, are the culmination of the BC mindset of 'just ignore them they will eventually die'. This is no doubt a horrific statement to many not accustomed to the realities of being poor in BC (or in Canada), but to we who have these experiences, it is 'SNAFU'.
How do you think more than 20 women disappeared from the streets here in Vancouver? Or as many along the 'Highway of Tears' in Northern B.C.
A society should be judged on how it treats the people least able to look out for themselves.
Martin from Canada writes: A beautiful and inspirational piece on the the nature of love.
