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Dean PE1
Dean PE1
GregoryB


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Location: Where I work
Date: Nov 10, 2008
Galleries: Sports, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Nov 12, 2008

Viewed: 282
Comments: 3
Favorites: 0

 This is where I spend mondays, wednesdays and fridays - at a local school teaching disabled kids. I have been doing this for three 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. The inner strength that these kids possess is just extraordinary.
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 almost 16 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 with manual chairs. Well Dean's game is played with motorised chairs. The wheelchair is fitted with bullbars and sidebars to minimise occupant damage. This wheelchair of Deans travels at about 30 kms (20 miles) per hour (not on grass).
He doesn't like posing for pictures and tends to spin around quickly when confronted with a camera so this was just a quick snap out on the school oval during a Phys. Ed. class.
This is a true Slice of life for me and really puts everything into perspective.

This is Dean with a couple of his mates clowning around....

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AuthorThread
 11/13/2008 11:42:19 PM
Love what you're doing, man. Awesome stuff, photos are just a side benefit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/13/2008 06:53:30 PM
Looking at this, you're spending your time very well. I agree with your note about the perspective. Seems to be a real (almost) 16 years old boy. My son has the same age and also doesn't like cameras pointing at him. Luckily there's sport, always gives an opportunity to make some nice photos. Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/12/2008 08:09:01 PM
Well composed . Great thing that you are doing. My daughter has some minor disabilities and so often these kids (and adults too) are often teased and left out. I think it is our duty to reach out to them.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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