A mom’s search to find someone to take her family’s photos ended up with a new connection between two families impacted by HIE.
Jamie Burt wasn’t happy with her 4-year-old daughter Remilyn’s school photos since she had her eyes closed and wasn’t looking at the camera, but also wasn’t sure who should take family photos for them.
For HIE families like theirs, family photos can be a challenge, especially when their child, like Remi, is unable to sit or stand.
Jamie reached out to her fellow Wisconsin HIE moms, and Nicole Brynelsen responded. The two started chatting, found out they lived about 20 minutes away from each other, and that Nicole has a passion for photography.
For Jamie, she got to make a connection with another mom close to her and have someone to talk to who understands her journey more than others can.
And for Nicole, she got to help a family take photos they could all enjoy.
“I felt a connection to Jamie. We’re both moms, but more than that we’re both moms of children who have experienced HIE. We live relatively close and I thought that it would be a great way to meet up. I also understand how hard it can be to find someone to photograph children with different needs. I knew this was the family that I wanted to photograph, and I was so excited when Jamie accepted!” Nicole said.
And for Nicole, whose son Elliot is 17 months, also got to meet another mom who is further along on her HIE journey.
“It was so nice to be able to meet another family in person, who is further along in this journey than I am. They are so positive, and really gave me so much hope,” Nicole said.
“I find it’s so important to talk to people, especially those who understand where you are, or have been.”
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