‘No matter how many times people poked fun at me, I realized I was kind of gifted.’

Jayden Pearl, Massapequa Park

“I was born after 20 weeks, at 2 pounds and 15 ounces. I had atrial septal defect. I was intubated at birth because I had subglottic stenosis. My airway was closed 48 percent when I was 2. I was diagnosed with asthma and food allergies.

“When I was in the fourth grade, I did autoimmune therapy for a peanut allergy, and it was successful. It was very rough growing up because I had to sit at the peanut-free table. Kids made fun of me. Dealing with my asthma is unfortunate because I play a lot of sports, including dek hockey.

“When I ran my airways were closing up. I have to use my inhaler before every game. Even though I still have these problems, I made it onto Team USA. Last June, I represented our country to play in the Men’s 3vs3 World Cup in Canada.

It was very rough growing up because I had to sit at the peanut-free table. Kids made fun of me.

“During quarantine in my freshman year, I started singing along to all of the music I would hear. My mom wanted me to audition for the school musical. I got lead roles in ‘Footloose’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’ in my junior and senior years. I learned that I love to perform, and that I’m always open to criticism. I struggled with projecting and being loud because of the scar damage on my left vocal fold from being intubated.

“Through working with vocal teachers and therapists, I know I’m going to get the best out of what I have. No one should let physical or mental challenges get in the way.

“My mom also convinced me to keep up with playing the cello. I stuck with it and played with the Five Towns College Symphony. This led me to teach myself how to play the guitar and ukulele. Learning that I could sing and play music showed me I want to be a vocal teacher and share my joy for music.

“Now I’m going to the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. When I was younger I always thought, ‘Why can’t I be normal?’ No matter how many times people poked fun at me, whether for my allergies or any of the physical things I had, I realized I was kind of gifted with it all. I’ve learned you have to face the challenges as they come.

“If people don’t like who you are it doesn’t matter because there will be a wave of people who do like you. The greatest judge of who you are is really yourself.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page.’

Elyssa Rabinowitz, Halesite

“I never had any idea that I’d end up in the arts or production. I loved entertainment, but I didn’t know you could make a career out of it. After I graduated from college with a degree in psychology, my friend asked if I’d help him put on a reading of his play when it was accepted into a festival. I said, ‘Why not?’ When he was later asked to put on a full production, I got my first taste of producing. I had no idea what I was doing, but I learned as I went. The play was a huge hit. I started a production company as a passion project. I wasn’t thinking about doing it for a career.

“Later, I met a filmmaker who became my producing partner. He said, ‘I’m working on a film, would you be interested in producing it?’ I learned as I went, and decided I needed to produce as a career. We changed my production company to Without a Net Productions because both of us jump feet first and hopefully land on our feet! We’ve been producing film and theater for 12 years now. I enjoy the collaboration and taking somebody’s vision and bringing it to life. It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page. I love being able to open people’s eyes through art.

“A few years ago, I was introduced to Michael Ricigliano; he was writing the script for a play called ‘Godless.’ I was so enamored with it and had the idea of turning the play into a movie because it’s something the whole world needs to see. We shot it in Huntington and Great Neck. It was a wonderful experience because I was able to be in the neighborhood where I grew up. ‘Godless’ is about a female politician who is vying for the presidency, and the struggle with her internal faith and her political aspirations. The story can open a conversation about how we can find common ground. I’ve grown a lot since starting out. I’ve learned there’s a lot of power in my opinions. ‘Godless’ is the first movie on which we’ve been lead producers.

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘Mile 26 is for my husband.’

Meghan Rodriguez, Selden

“My husband battled with addiction when he was in his 20s, and back midway through the pandemic, right about 2021, he relapsed.

“I didn’t know he was using for a while; then everything started coming to light. I had to get my family involved, and we had to do an intervention. When he tried to get help, he’d get on a seven- to eight-month waiting list for treatment. I wanted to get involved with Partnership to End Addiction to try to help end the drug epidemic.

“I applied last year to run the New York City Marathon for them and didn’t get in. And they recommended that I apply again. I was surprised that I got in because they only take about 12 people a year, and they said that about 10,000 people apply … They said my story was touching and compelling.

It definitely relaxes me and clears my mind.

“I’m trying to raise $4,500, that’s the minimum you must raise to participate. So far, I’ve raised about $2,000.

“The money goes to all their programs — their researchers, 24/7 counselors; they help families learn about programs, therapies and meetings.

“I ran throughout high school. I was county champion in 2009 in my high school, Newfield High School, for steeplechase … I took a break from running once I had kids, but I’ve always been a runner.

“It definitely relaxes me and clears my mind. I train three times a week, usually short runs during the week. On the weekends, I do longer runs. By the time the marathon comes, I’ll max out at 18 miles. If I can do 20 miles, I can have it in my head that I can do six more. It’s really more of a mental game, to get it into my head that I can do the whole thing.

“The race is Nov. 3, and that will be exactly one year since I had a bunion-ectomy on my left foot. That was major surgery. After I had surgery and PT, they told me running might be impossible because you have screws and a plate. In the beginning, it was a challenge, but I’ve learned to adapt.

“My daughter made me friendship bracelets, and I’m going to wear them during the race. Once I get my [marathon] jersey, I have someone who will embroider all the names of people I’m running for on the back in order from mile 1 down to mile 26. Mile 26 is for my husband.”

Interviewed by Rosemary Olander-Beach