FAMILIES LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

I know so very many families living with disabilities. There are such a wide range of needs that the general population isn't even aware of. To many people, adult and children alike, look "normal". Whatever that means, because who's really normal? Right? We all have God given talents. Some are more noticeable to the public, some not. Maybe the people that seem even keel, AKA normal, are subdued. In turn it makes those with obvious differences the normal ones. Are you following me? 

To clarify, this is referring to families that have disabilities that aren't obvious to the public. Another day I'll feature a family on the obvious side of the disability range.

For today I'm featuring this amazing mom and son that self advocate to find the sensory accommodations they need. Not only have they helped themselves, they've helped so many others. (Be sure to follow our Facebook business page for more about that story later.)

Meet Anne and Michael

I had so much fun photographing them together. This cat wandered into our shoot. We don't know him, so of course we were wary. (However, I do know that he is well taken care of and belongs to a neighbor.) So Anne was comfortable letting Michael interact with the cat. Michael had an obvious fasciation, and Anne had a love for this creature that I could feel as she was talking about him after he wandered off.

This whole photo session was like an adventure for Michael and Anne. They just spent time together as a mother and son and I got to capture that! Is this really my job? Pinch me please so I can be sure. (Be gentle though or I might come back at you. I'm a feisty little thing). 

Covington, Louisiana portrait photographer photographing families with disabilities. Families with disabilities, covington, louisiana portrait photographer, senior photographer, rileyroo photography, Rachael Beck

 Initially I wouldn't have guessed Michael has a disability, but the more I interacted with him the more I knew. I'm not sure everyone would have picked up on it as soon as I did, but my college degree is Family and Child Studies so I have a bit more knowledge about that whole "normal" thing than most. Anne has to keep close reigns on Michael, yet at the same time she finds a way to give him quite a bit of freedom. It was fascinating to watch as a mother and as a child development expert.  Covington, Louisiana portrait photographer photographing families with disabilities. Families with disabilities, covington, louisiana portrait photographer, senior photographer, rileyroo photography, Rachael Beck

One of Anne's goals for the session was to really capture who and what they are together. We wanted to tell their story in photos, so we chose fishing to be part of the session. It is something they do together on a regular basis. They had a great time and taught me a couple of fishing tips in the process! Michael insisted that I fish. Thankfully we were running out of daylight and time so I got out of that one, whew! 

Covington, Louisiana portrait photographer photographing families with disabilities. Families with disabilities, covington, louisiana portrait photographer, senior photographer, rileyroo photography, Rachael Beck Covington, Louisiana portrait photographer photographing families with disabilities. Families with disabilities, covington, louisiana portrait photographer, senior photographer, rileyroo photography, Rachael Beck Covington, Louisiana portrait photographer photographing families with disabilities. Families with disabilities, covington, louisiana portrait photographer, senior photographer, rileyroo photography, Rachael Beck

A couple of my children have had speech delays and one a minor developmental delay. Just those little tiny things made our lives busier and harder for a time. Anne's struggles will last for all the years to come. It is so hard for me, and I'm sure the general population, to imagine what life would be like having a child with a disability. I have 2 nephews with disabilities as well, and know that my sister and my brother do not get to live "normal" lives and never will. However, I can say with certainty that they have found and continue to re-find their normal more often than I can comprehend. 

If you made it through my rambling and you are a family with a disability I'd like to offer a discount for a photo session. A regular session with me cost $250, but I'd like to offer the same session package for $220 for families with disabilities. Click here to see the details. This would be the session listed first on the page. Check it out and connect with me. Be sure to tell me you saw this post and that you are a family with a disability. Please know that I truly want to do a free session for every family with disabilities that wants one. There are two roadblocks to that though. 1. I'd get overwhelmed and not be able to to all of the work. 2. I have to feed 6 little mouths at home. So for now the best I can offer is a discount.

I hope you all have a great day and feel a little more open to loving those around you. You never know when a mom, dad, grandparent, or sibling of a child with or without an obvious disability needs a little extra love. ~Rachael