Meet Noah Washington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noah Washington.

Noah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
On September 27th, 2014, I was rushed to the E.R. in Richmond Virginia. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me, but after conducting multiple tests they were able to find swelling in my brain, I had come down with ‘Bacterial Meningitis.” I was taken into surgery not long after that and put into a medically induced coma.

The reason I remember this date so well is because that was my 15th birthday.

My family and friends came in and out and this was a surreal experience because I could see them there, but I couldn’t respond. The doctors said that I had a 25% chance of fatality and 70% of permanent brain damage. Time would pass and eventually, I would have the first of a handful of seizures. After about three days, I woke up and was able to get a sense of my surroundings. I was able to talk but would stumble and forget words, only able to say short sentences and a few words, but I was getting better (or so I thought). The doctors came back and said that I needed to have another surgery to stop the build up in my brain. I was scared but knew that I had to do it if I had any hope of getting out of the hospital (because I figured out that hospitals are not a good place if you want to get better). I went through the second surgery, but this time, they took out a piece of my skull. Afterward, they moved me into a room where I slept for a few days.

The next thing I remember was waking up with my Mom and Dad being present. I remember my Mother getting a phone call, where she talked for a few minutes, then hung up saying “I will be right back” to me. She walked out of the room and a few minutes later came back up saying “I have a surprise for you.” Right after she said those words, I experienced the happiest moment of my life, that has yet to happen in my life. My Grandmother Margaret walked through the door. My heart skipped a beat that day. I remember her walking over to me and giving me a great big hug. I cried in her arms for a while. After that, I spent a month in hospital. Afterward, I was homeschooled. I had to have another surgery in February to put my skull back in. I was given this helmet to protect my head (it looked like a skateboarders helmet). The year went by and I got my third surgery and eventually, the school year ended. I was able to get through my homeschooling and make it to my sophomore where I went back to school as if nothing happened, but things were harder. Answers to math problems didn’t come as easy and words were a little more difficult to find, but I was doing well. I was in a gym class with a friend of mine, Nicholas Pauthcell, when he asked me to be in a one-act play that his friend was putting on for the school and originally I was a little hesitant because my memory was not that good, but my grandmother talked me into doing it. So, I told my friend I would do it and that was the beginning of my love for the arts.

I had to memorize lines and that helped me build up my language skills. I then decided to stick with it. I did more and more plays and the roles I would get got bigger and bigger. The theater director, Charles Wax pushed me creatively and motivated me to always do better. I got to play roles that arranged from Mr.Macy in “Miracle on 34th Street to Riff from “West Side Story.” I joined my schools Mixed Show Choir my senior year and making my own films. I have also been in other films made by great filmmakers like “Below the line.” That is when my mom told me about SCAD and when I went to tour the school’s Atlanta campus I fell in love even more with the arts. Since being at SCAD, I have learned from industry professionals such as Quinlan Orear, Carlie Sorosiak, and Dr. Imani Scott, while also taking up a few new things. I started to write more and even got an opportunity to conduct interviews. I was even lucky enough to get the chance to interview the cast of NBC’s “New Amsterdam” for the “SCADCONNECTOR”, our school paper. I have also taken up photography. I have been blessed to work with amazing people like up and coming boxer, Sixto Suazo. It has been a long journey since my month in the hospital, but it is not over yet.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, but I have honestly learned the most from it. I now have to take epilepsy medicine twice a day and become drowsy easily. I also have to refrain from certain things as to not overwhelm myself. People often make fun of me calling me an “Old Man” because of how early I go to bed (and also how I dress). I have also faced a few seizures at very inconvenient moments, like in a dorm room or at night when no-one is around.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
What separates me from others is how I adapt. I have had no choice, but to adapt my whole lifestyle. I have to take into consideration my own health as well as the quality of my own work.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My empathy and understanding. If someone can’t deliver on something, I now understand easier which lets me focus on how to move forward instead of spending that time being angry.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (804)499-0251
• Email: noahn970@gmail.com
• Instagram: riotboyatl or theartofriot

Image Credit:
Rocco Shapiro, Dany Flores, Thang Ho, and Helet Staden for “Below the line”, Onifade Olaifa, Sixto Suazo, Nydia Milton

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