Beauty Through Damage #20

After the huge response we had from the first shoot, the second had to be booked asap! This time it was the turn of Sadie and Jenni, both young and beautiful disabled ladies with more guts and bravery than anyone I knew. They were prepared not only to show off their disability in front of my camera, but do so whilst being filmed by local documentary videographer, Jennifer White, and TV’s Mik Scarlet who was there to write an article on the shoot itself. A little bit about the ladies: Sadie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on her right leg in 2008 and had chemotherapy and an above knee amputation in Feb 09 so she has a prosphetic leg and currently uses a walking stick for long distances. Jenni has Juvenile Chronic Idiopathic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. She’s been ill from around the age of 5 and all of her joints are affected – however my hands have perhaps suffered the worst deformaties. She had my hip replaced two and a half years ago aged 22. Although being disabled has got her down in the past and made her miserable as a teenager she’s now determined not to let it stand in the way of her future happiness. Both were amazing for volunteering to be part of the project, so I organised a bit of a surprise to say thank you: MAKEOVER!!

The ladies were pampered rotten by make up artist, Katie Jane Ford and Jamie Boot was on hand for hair.  The pair gave up their time and talent for free and I was massively impressed with the duo’s skills. Will be seeing more work from them again in the future! Now dolled up, Sadie worked the lens owned it. Even when standing with just the one leg, her poise, expression and grace were second to none. When it came to Jenni’s turn, she too came into her own in front of the camera, and we produced some stunning shots of confidence, pride and power. Here are the results: