PLANNING: the magazine interview

 

An interview with Olivia Droll:

 

·        How did doctors and your family react to remembering details of the incident so vividly?

They were truly in shock. I remember the moment I recalled the car and my mom being pushed into it; the room went still. Everyone just stared at me. My dad started to tear up. I think he realized there was still hope for the family to find my mother.

 

·        How did you adjust to being a teenager overnight?

It was definitely not easy. I had my brother who was just slightly younger than me. That helped me a lot. When I was younger, I was already ahead of my class, probably because I had great memory recall. The doctors helped me to learn a lot through their programs about the world. One of the first things the doctors and I agreed on was improving me language knowledge so that I wasn’t speaking like I had done when I was younger. I am also currently doing a shortened version of school that helps people that have been subject to traumatic experiences learn and experience education, which I have realized is a vital part of life.

 

·        Was there a moment before the attack you remember something being ‘off’?

Well, I didn’t think so until the bridge. My mom’s and I’s walks had become so routine. The hot chocolate was a treat but I did not think much of it. Things changed when the shadow came over me. I remember my entire body going numb just before the hit.

 

·        Did you feel frustrated over how long it took to find your mother?

I definitely think it took too long to find her, but with such a lack of evidence it was difficult for authorities. I have an incredible amount of gratitude towards the police officers and investigators for finding my mother.

 

·        How was it seeing your mother for the first time in so long?

I don’t think that I could ever truly describe that experience. It was something so special. It felt like I had never not seen my mother. We had both been through similar experiences of trauma. And since I had only been awake after my coma for such a short time, we had been away from the family, and because we shared that experience, we related to each other a lot more.

 

·        How has this experience shaped your outlook on life?

This experience has completely changed the way I see the world. Waking up after 10 years felt like stepping into a different life, but knowing that my memory helped save so many women, including my mom, makes everything feel surreal. I’ve realized how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change, and how important it is to hold onto the people you love. I don’t take anything for granted now. Every moment with my family feels like a gift. I’ve also learned how strong the human mind and body can be. Despite everything my mom and the other women went through, they survived. That resilience inspires me every day. I want to use this second chance at life to help others—to raise awareness about missing persons cases and to remind people that even after years of darkness, there’s always hope.

Reflection:

I decided for my magazine to have an interview with the daughter in the documentary, Olivia Droll, aiming to not ask many questions about the incident specifically but rather around it and coping. For my magazine I do not think I will use these all but a mix of them.