My Life, My Katherine - Kanishka Sonthalia

Sarah Roberts starts her day at work as a remodeler.

My Life, My Katherine

“I can breathe easily when I have Katherine by me. It feels like freedom,” says Sarah Roberts, a 29-year-old single mother.

Sarah endured emotional and physical abuse in her teenage years. Today she has joint custody of her 9-year-old daughter Katherine who Sarah believe needs her maternal warmth. She protects her by teaching her how to protect herself. Sarah remodels houses in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She manages her schedule to be available "for her every breath and every moment," she said.

Pieces of drawings hang on the wall at the Mountain Grove Elementary School.

My Life, My Katherine - Sarah Roberts visits her daughter Katherine during her...

Sarah Roberts visits her daughter Katherine during her lunch break at the... READ ON

My Life, My Katherine - After picking her daughter Katherine from school,...

After picking her daughter Katherine from school, Sarah playfully chases... READ ON

My Life, My Katherine - Katherine stands by the window while her mother, Sarah,...

Katherine stands by the window while her mother, Sarah, paints the walls.

My Life, My Katherine - “After years of being vulnerable, I knew I had...

“After years of being vulnerable, I knew I had to start protecting... READ ON

My Life, My Katherine - Sarah patches dry wall for Missouri Wellness Center...

Sarah patches dry wall for Missouri Wellness Center who focus on... READ ON

My Life, My Katherine - While Katherine eats a snack after school, Sarah wraps...

While Katherine eats a snack after school, Sarah wraps up her work for the day.

My Life, My Katherine - After a long day at work, Sarah and Katherine break...

After a long day at work, Sarah and Katherine break into their daily... READ ON

Kanishka Sonthalia

Kanishka Sonthalia (b. 1990) is an independent documentary photographer currently based in Brooklyn, New York.