I met Emma during the pandemic and was struck by the stories and memories that she told with sincere emotions.

She had just been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's and feared losing the memories of her past in Korea before immigrating to the US in 1977. Her descriptions of childhood experiences in Korea remained sharp, while more recent memories grew blurred, which is a cruel symptom of her disease. Having watched my own grandparents fall victim to Alzheimer's, I felt compelled to help Emma create a digital autobiography to preserve her heritage for her grandchildren. She was determined to document that personal journey before the disease robbed her of the chance.
 

Through my use of technology, we gently wove back the intricate threads of her life, her laughter, her tales, and her reflections on the world. Together, we crafted a script, and in the quiet of the recording room, her voice brought the stories to life. Then, we scanned her from head to toe to capture her essence in a three-dimensional avatar. Her distinctive voice, now imprinted in digital form, narrated her life's journey. This ten-month process was all to gift her grandchildren-a piece of her to treasure. The result was a 15 minute  journey through her life, titled "Dear Grandchildren," a film that tugs at the heartstrings virtual reality adventure that invites you into her world. 

 

Virtual version of the film is available upon request.