Uniquely You

Hello friends! Some of you know but most of you may not that I have a strong desire to expand my photography impact. I would love to begin to offer a photography service that focuses on the needs of families and children with special needs. I absolutely love that you and your child have a beautiful story to tell and would love to help you tell that story through photographs; whether that be through a sensory sensitive experience, through capturing moments during special events like fundraisers for awareness, or everyday life moments. Many of you have daily battles and scares that no one is even aware of. Many of you have a desire to know other families with special needs that may just understand the struggles that you are going through. My goal is showcase these beautiful needs that make you and/or your child unique and to raise awareness. I want to be a voice and I want to help tell YOUR story. If you are interested please let me know so we can discuss what would be easiest and best suited for you and your family.

Hello! I am Hayes, I was born on November 5,2017, with a surprise diagnosis of Trisomy 21, which means I have 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of 2 copies like you. Most people know it as Down syndrome. My parents say it was the best surprise they ever got! Because of the high risk of congenital heart conditions with Trisomy 21 I had a echocardiogram done when I was just 1 day old that showed a large hole in the ventricular septum of my heart, that would one day require open heart surgery to repair. After months of me and my mom and dad working hard to help me gain weight and get stronger, I underwent this surgery on April 4, 2018, just one day shy of turning 5 months old. Everything was successful and I was such a rock star, I only spent 4 days at Children’s Mercy before I was able to come home. My follow up echocardiograms have been great and I only have to see cardiology every 6 months. Other characteristics of Down syndrome that I have are low muscle tone and dysphasia(difficulty swallowing) that require weekly visits form occupational and physical therapists. It takes me a little longer to meet my milestones but I have already mastered bye-bye, clapping, sitting, and army crawling! So look out it won’t be long till I am walking! I also have hypothyroidism which is treated with medication that I take daily. I have a great team of doctors and a large support group of friends and family that make sure I get the best care possible! Other then that I am just like any other little boy. I like music, playing with my big brother, eating, and cuddling, I just have a little something extra! So if you ever see me out and about please come up and say hi! I love meeting new people and I can show you just how Down right perfect I am! (Thank you to Hayes' Mommy for submitting his story)

Hi, my name is Chase, I was born with only one kidney located in my pelvic area. (Generally, your kidney’s are located in your back). My kidney also suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. After being admitted into the NICU for poor weight gain and failure to thrive after I was born, we were given my diagnosis. Having only one kidney that is sick, we knew it would be a long road for me with several obstacles. However, I am thriving and my little kidney is improving every day. At my age of almost 7 months old, the doctors can’t do much other than monitor the kidney and its functions, while giving my some medicines to help. The Nephrology department at Children’s Mercy (which is ranked 5th in the US!) tell us it is possible that I will need a kidney transplant before I am 10 years old. However, we won’t have a more definite answer until I am around a year old. I am a fighter and have exceeded all expectations so far. My Daddy and Mommy are so thankful to have and love me!! (Thank you to Chase's Mommy for submitting his story)

I hope you have learned something new from this post and I hope you continue to follow this journey with us. We will also be updating you all on the journey of these awesome children. I am so blessed to be able to photograph them to help tell their story through my lens <3