| Photograph Information |
Photographer's Comments |
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Location: Where I work
Date: Feb 8, 2008
Aperture: f4.5
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/20
Galleries: Emotive, Children
Date Uploaded: Feb 8, 2008
Viewed: 328
Comments: 11
Favorites: 0
|
This is where I spend mondays and fridays, at a local school teaching disabled kids. I have been doing this for a bit over two years. After working for myself and my family for over 30 years I felt there was something missing although the feeling wasn't a tangible one. After much deliberation I decided to give this a go. Well after thirty years I now come home really feeling that I have achieved something in my day. I am shown that I have actually helped someone and that they are extremely grateful.
This is Dean, a student I teach, scribe for, laugh with, cry with, toilet and feed, whilst he is in the school's care.
Dean has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. There is no cure yet!!! At the moment his life span is early twenties. He is 15 now.
A more placid tempered kid you would never meet, that is, until you get him into the sporting arena. Dean plays wheelchair rugby for New South Wales - it used to be called 'murderball' - you may have seen it played in the last paralympics. For this, his wheelchair is fitted with bullbars and sidebars - this wheelchair travels at about 30 kms (20 miles) per hour.
He doesn't like posing for pictures and tends to spin around quickly when confronted with a camera and so this was just a quick snap in the classroom prior to the lesson starting.
This to me is a true Slice of life and puts everything into perspective for me. |
| Author | Thread |
|
|
02/12/2008 10:11:38 AM |
These are my favorite Slice of Life shots, the ones that show the faces of the people we touch on a regular basis. You are doing a great thing here - making a difference.
Has he seen the picture? Perhaps he may even like it. |
|
 Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/09/2008 02:11:04 PM |
| It is a wonderful thing you do with these kids. Great slice of life. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/09/2008 12:42:42 AM |
| Thanks for sharing your story, it is inspiring. I too am a teacher and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child learn and grow on all levels. There are such great bonds formed. He seems like a happy kid. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/09/2008 12:15:37 AM |
| Tell Dean he's famous now - known by an international society of photographers. Very cool Slice, Greg. Thanks for sharing your story, and Dean's. Glad you can make a difference in these kids' lives. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 05:05:33 PM |
Wonderful capture, the light hitting Dean is just right and the kids in the background add while not detracting from the main subject of composition, Dean. This is a brilliant portrait of Dean in his environment.
You are doing a wonderful work. I'm so touched by Dean's story, I'm glad he has the opportunity to play for NSW. I am so sad that his disease has no cure. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 01:44:20 PM |
| What a wonderful story!! You need to work on Dean so he isn't so camera shy! ;) |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 12:59:45 PM |
| That's really admirable that you work with kids like this. My wife and I are seriously considering the Peace Corp when we retire. It's a way of giving back for all the wonderful life we have recieved. I suspect you are feeling the same way. It's inspriring that you are touching lives. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 08:44:33 AM |
| Bravo , Greg- -- i have great admiration for you & I do know how gratifying it is to teach & care for someone elderly,disabled or sick....it is a wonderful feeling...thank you for sharing this image of Dean. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 04:43:54 AM |
| its great for me to actually see dean when i've heard so much about him from you .. finally a face to a name and a big personality .. i love wot you've written about your time at the school .. perfectly fits the challenge i reckon !!! .. love your pic of dean and the other guy behind him smiling with his bottle of coke .. great shot .. great story .. :)xxx |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 02:36:52 AM |
I agree this is a slice of life in all its reality and rawness! Congratulations both on capturing it and doing your bit!
Message edited by author 2008-02-08 02:37:07. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
02/08/2008 02:21:39 AM |
Actually put my comment in the wrong spot. wooops
Message edited by author 2008-02-08 02:28:50. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/18/2025 07:26:28 AM EDT.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
