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Tracy:
Making and maintaining friendships is not something I find easy. I met Tracy on the 'school run' with the commonality of children the same age we shared anecdotes about our morning dash and the struggles of our childrens' homework. l was lucky enough to discover the humour and kindness of a fellow mother who was unperturbed by my quiet awkwardness. Unexpectedly, on her wedding day last year, Tracy was taken ill only to discover that she had developed lung cancer. Enough to break any family, I have seen this wonderful woman plan, support and organise her family in preparation for the two major operations she went on to have, in an attempt to keep life as normal as possible. I have witnessed family and friends then rally around to care for and support her in the aftermath while she struggled to keep her head above water. From the outside, I observed Tracy emerge from this trauma with incredible strength, dignity and positivity. When she asked me to photograph her scars as part of her journey, I accepted without hesitation. A scar is a mark on the skin which is left after a wound has healed. It is a symbol of strength, courage and fragility. A lasting reminder of what has been endured to hold onto the precious things that life has to offer. To take an image of this scar, I feel, is to capture a tiny piece of Tracy's story which I too can hold on to. To me, such images have the power to become building blocks in my own life. Saddening, humbling, informative, uplifting they offer opportunities for self-reflection and self-development which I hope continue to make me a better person.
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CapturingEvie
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