Just a few pictures from a mini-shoot with my new friend, Gillian. Gillian is a Chicago Special Needs Parent Examiner, blogger, and writer. Just last month she finished her book, KRASATA, which is a memoir of the "unexpected beauty in grieving, accepting and loving my child with Down Syndrome". I don't have any children with Down Syndrome, but I can't wait to read her book. She is refreshingly honest and open about those 5 words that changed her life forever- "Your daughter has Down Syndrome."
What do you think of when you hear those 5 words? What if it were you learning this diagnosis about your new newborn baby? Would you handle it all with a smile on your face- "Well, every child is a blessing, you know" . . . or would you maybe curl in a ball on the couch and stare at your baby in someone else's arms and wonder how you will manage to bond with a baby who is not what you had expected? I'm not putting words in Gillian's mouth- you'll have to read her story for yourself, but suffice it to say, hearing and processing a diagnosis like this was no cake-walk.
Gillian now has two daughters with Down Syndrome, the second coming from an international adoption from Ukraine. Yes, Gillian not only came to accept those 5 words, but then went out looking for them. It's an awesome story and I can't wait for it to be published!
Gillian needed some quick headshots (and pictures with two of her four daughters) for updating her blog and for her web publications. We went around the corner and did a little mini-session. She is truly gorgeous, inside and out. Love you, friend!
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