Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

(2025 Photolucida Critical Mass "Top 200")

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[artist's statement]

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Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes follows Emily’s challenging childhood, courageously embracing her disabilities.  Born healthy, she contracted a bacterial infection that attacked her heart at eleven months old.  She lost her legs, some of her fingers, and some brain activity as well.  Emily is now 22 years old and an active and lively young woman.

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As shared by Amy, Emily’s mother, when writing about the initial trauma:

“Every day I think about how Emily’s illness has transformed our lives, by dramatically changing our relationships, our roles and us.  I still cry; a part of me wishes things could be easier for her and our family.  She will encounter more stares throughout her life, the adolescent years may be tougher on her than a typical child, and she will have to accept her body and mind the way it is even if it doesn’t quite look or work like those around her”.

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Even with a background as a child therapist, I was enlightened by witnessing Emily navigating the world. My hope is that by introducing Emily photographically, her commonalities and uniqueness will inspire compassion and empathy and support my belief that (especially early) exposure to people’s differences encourages acceptance.  These images of Emily are meant to capture the heart of a child/young woman enjoying the freedom to play, dream, and to love and be loved.