When something like this happens to you, you have a choice. You can choose to celebrate the life that was so preciously given to you or you can choose to mourn the life that was so preciously given to you for the rest of your life. I have chosen to celebrate.
Matt and I looked for a way to help celebrate her life. The first couple of years we bought expensive presents (along with many of our family in Boise) and donated them to the local kids who are without families and without homes. Don't get me wrong, this is a NOBLE thing to do, it just didn't feel right to honor my baby.
So a few years ago, inspiration hit. We decided that we were going to start photographing one family a year who had a child with special needs to celebrate Courtney's life. Courtney would have been disabled if she would have lived.
What we do:
We photograph the family, and take individual pictures of the kids.
We give the family their portraits: For FREE. This is our gift to our baby, so we are so happy to be able to do this for the family. We usually give them a 30x40 canvas portrait with a smattering of smaller prints. So far in the past, the families have been so wonderful and great to work with!
Here is the problem. We are in a new area and don't know anybody with a disabled child except for Tiffany Harker. Well, Tiffany is due to have a baby in 9 weeks, so we thought that next year will be better for her so she can enjoy pictures of her baby and herself too, so don't worry, Tiffany will get done. But I need your help my little Tri-city friends (I don't have many yet).
Please send this link to everyone you know. I want to hear stories and I want to meet inspirational families so that we can decide who to photograph this year in memory of our daughter. Please just post a comment or you can email me at jen@jonballphotography.com.
Check out our old website for the studio we ran back in Boise, all these portraits are done by Matt (my husband). www.jonballphotography.com
I hope this gets to a lot of people. I want to be able to give this gift to another family this year! Thanks so much for you help.
This is the family we did last year. They have a beautiful son who has down syndrome.
6 comments:
I know some people! Call me!
Sorry, I don't think I know anyone where you live. But can I just say, You amaze me!!! I'm touched and inspired. Thank you.
I am floored. Literally. And crying now... Thank you.
I know a family in your neighborhood who has a little boy with some very severe disabilities. They are the sweetest little family and I am inspired by them every time I talk to the mother. If you want more info, I can put you in contact with them.
Also, here is a link to a wonderful family in Kennewick. They have a little girl (now 2 years old) that was born with Hydrocephalus among a list of other complications. Lisa (the mother) is one of the most inspiring and positive people I have ever met. Their family is amazing!
donaldandlisasorensonfamily.blogspot.com
I truly think this is the sweetest thing ever. What a wonderful gift to others and a beautiful way to honor your daughter.
I didn't know you were in tri-cities! I totally would have looked you up! Your service is wonderful! What a blessing to you and them!
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