again and again :)

Friday, November 19, 2010

do you ever watch a little kid in front of a full length mirror?
              it's quite funny.                  
                        especially if they think they are alone.
     they dance.
         they check out their teeth.
                they make funny faces.
I'm pretty sure that almost every kid loves to look at themselves.  adults too. :)
   if you take a picture of them...they eagerly want to stare at it.
      they put it in a spot they can come back to again and again just to look at it.

but what if that kid doesn't get to just be that goofy, wiggly kid?
             what if they're stuck in a hospital bed?
                        are they somehow less of a kid?
     I think not.

this nagging though kept growing in my mind these last couple months.
    who takes the picture that the sick kids get to come back to again and again?
           they should have a happy picture to look at, too.
that.  I could help with. :)

enter inspiration through art (formerly known as the littlest hero's project).
this organization puts photographers and "little hero's" who have signed up for the program.
(kids who are sick or who have been sick or are more challenged physically than other kids)
basically it allows me to show up
   spend some time with their family and snap a bunch of photos
       that they get to come back to, again and again.
             pretty sure I get the best end of the deal. :)

after about a month, I got an email from the little girl I would be photographing!
              meet sugar. :)
     that's not her real name...but it's what her mom calls her on her blog and I like it :)
sugar has type 1 diabetes and found out that she had it when she was just 24 months.

here's a break down her mom sent me of the type of life sugar leads:
In order to most accurately determine how much insulin she needs, we must count every carbohydrate she eats or drinks.  We also must balance her insulin needs with activity level, illness, growth spurts, and stress.

She must have her fingers poked 8 - 10 times a day, including at least twice
overnight.  That amounts to roughly 20,000 drops of blood in the past 5 years.   It also means her parents do not - ever - get a full night's sleep.  Diabetes never sleeps, therefore her blood sugars must be monitored throughout the night.
,
By the time she was 3 years old, she had recieved over 1800 shots of insulin.

She began wearing her insulin pump at age 3 1/2 -- it must be worn
24/7/365.  We insert a new pump site every 3 days.  If something happens to her pump, she must go back to getting shots while we wait for a pump replacement.  She can't ever go for a full 24 hour period without the insulin her body needs to survive.

She is at constant risk for both low and high blood sugars.  Both of these
situations can cause seizures, coma, and death.  Because of these risks, sugar must have an adult with her at all times who is able to recognize and respond to signs of trouble.  As a result, her parents haven't been on more than a handful of dates since her diagnosis, and she has never enjoyed simple pleasures such as going to a movie with a friend or attending a slumber party.

In developing countries, the life expectancy of a child with diabetes is
less than 5 years.

Diabetes kills more people every year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.


pretty heavy, no?
Wendy (her mom) is one of the biggest advocates in promoting awareness in finding a cure for this disease.
her blog states it's existence is simply for:
     REACH the heart of anyone who has ever been affected by Type 1 Diabetes.
     SHARE the journey through highs and lows.
     LOVE unconditionally, just as we have all been commanded to do.

she is beautiful, fierce and passionate and it was simply a pleasure learning more on this disease and getting to photograph her and sugar and their beautiful family!
p.s. the blue tutu's are in honor of the international diabetes federation's symbol...a simple blue circle...LOVE the symbolism Wendy!  :)

this would be the lovely, Sugar... :)



her little sister Tiara :)


and her other younger sister Tink :)





p.p.s!  it was jason & wendy's 10th anniversary this last thursday!  congratulations! :) 



beautiful family, beautiful sugar...thank you for the opportunity! :)

9 comments:

elizabeth said...

wow...seriously moved to tears..so beautiful. I had no idea how serious her condition was. I will so keep this family in my prayers...just beautiful!

janet said...

Great photo shoot & opportunity to create more awareness about this tough disease. Your first cousin...Corinne, was diagnosed with this type of diabetes as well...she has had a lot to cope with too. Beautiful family!

Unknown said...

Words escape me at the moment. I'm somewhat speechless...you are so incredibly talented.

Thank you for this treasured gift...
my children's whimsical moments
their little smiles
their bright eye that I know like the back of my hand
my daughter's bravery
my husband and I 10 years later

One day, I will share these pictures with the world...

And I'll tell them we USED to live with Type 1 Diabetes....because there WILL be a cure in her lifetime.

THANK YOU a million times from this mother's very grateful heart.

Tracy said...

Wow! What amazing photos of Wendy and her family! Sugar has some of the best expressions. You really captured each of the girls at their best and I can see their personalities coming through their photos.

And THANK YOU for spreading a little awareness about T1 Diabetes. I am thankful there are people out there like you who can make memories as beautiful as these for this family!

Misty said...

What a fantastic opportunity that you gave this beautiful family. The pictures are gorgeous!! Thank you for participating in the Inspiration Through Art project...and for helping to spread awareness for Type 1 Diabetes.

Lora said...

Wow! These are some awesome pics. You did an amazing job.

Donna said...

Words escape me. Abosolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Shannon@ The New Normal Life said...

these photos are pricesless and wonderful thank you for doing this for the family and for sharing accurate facts about Type 1. D-mamas everywhere are singing your praises!!

LakeLady said...

Wonderful, priceless, and inspiring.

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