Daryel’s Fractured Family

Daryel Franklin Miller, 50, watches television the morning after sleeping on the couch at his father's home in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. After years of traumatic life experiences, including losing his older sister to accidental drowning at age 12, Daryel spiraled in and out of drug and alcohol addiction. “Most people have moments of sadness in their lives. Daryel has had a lifetime,” Charles Martin, Miller’s second cousin said.

Elizabeth Singleton, center, along with husband Cameron, at center top, and children Nora, 4, and Landon, 7, at right, visit her grandfather Daryel Miller, foreground, as he transitions into hospice care. "Grandpa's always been there for me," Singleton said.

Elizabeth Singleton, right, assists her grandfather Daryel Miller, 80, after Daryel Franklin Miller, at left, passed out on the couch following a long day of drinking. "What's sad is that I'm sure back in that generation, people didn't know how to get the help that they need for the alcoholism, the drug addiction. Today, there's plenty of resources," Singleton said. "Reality just smashes you in the face sometimes."

Elizabeth Singleton, center, smiles at her uncle Daryel Franklin Miller, right, during a visit to her grandfather Daryel Miller's house after work with her children Cameron, 12, left, Landon, 7, center left, and Nora, 4, center.

Daryel Miller, left, holds onto his son Daryel Franklin Miller's hand as he walks to car at his home. Miller encourages his dad to walk around for his health. He helps by "mostly helping him keep his balance," he said. "It don't bother me none. I want to make sure he's going to be safe."

Daryel Miller, left, emerges from his home to speak with his son Daryel Franklin Miller.

Daryel Franklin Miller sits in a wheelchair that belonged to his grandmother as he spends the day smoking deer roasts and meatloaf for his father and step-mother while smoking and drinking at his father's home.

Daryel Miller, right, looks at his son Daryel Franklin Miller playing games on his phone.

Theresa Ann Miller, left, tries to console her stepson Daryel Franklin Miller about taking out the trash at her home. Daryel spoke about the emotional complications he faces living at home. "It just gets too much, man. It's overwhelming," he said.

Daryel Franklin Miller tests out his motor equipped bike after he made adjustments to its carburetor. Miller spent much of his childhood and early adulthood working on motors.

Lori Lafferty, left, and Daryel Franklin Miller spend the afternoon telling stories as they drink and smoke in downtown Excelsior Springs. Lifelong friends, Miller and Lafferty lived next to each other on Excelsior Street until they both lost their homes and became unhoused. The pair call each other nearly everyday.

Daryel Franklin Miller, at left, reaches out to his lifelong friend, Lori Lafferty, as she wakes him up after he spent the night sleeping under a bridge on Thompson Avenue in downtown Excelsior Springs. Miller occasionally stays with Lafferty and the woman she cares for during cold winter months. He spent the night before drinking the whole day with Lafferty. Unable to find a ride back to his father's house, which is an hour and a half walk away, he decided to sleep under a bridge for the night.