Ethan | Brain Tumor Awareness

2 years ago, I met Ethan and his amazing family at the Denver Zoo when I got asked to photograph Ethan for his Make-A-Wish. When Ethan was born, he had VACTERL Syndrome (many or all abnormalities of the Vertebral, Anal, Cardiac, Tracheo-Esophogeal, Renal and Limbs), along with CHD. He also started having seizures, but eventually they went away. A few days before we went to the Denver Zoo, Jenine (his mom) took Ethan to the doctor in Grand Junction, CO as she had some concerns about his motor skills and his functions related to his brain were off. They did a MRI and found a very large, inoperable aggressive brain tumor. Unfortunately it was too far advanced and there was nothing they could do. The doctors gave Ethan 2 weeks to live, but thankfully and with God's grace he lived longer than that. That day spent at the Denver Zoo left me in tears, speechless, and my heart hurting. I'm thankful that God placed me in their life for that one day to capture these last memories for Ethan and his family. On August 15, 2016 Ethan passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

"I'll always be your fighter mommy, I'll always be your baby boy, I'll never stop loving you, and I'll never forget about you mommy."

This photo is so powerful in so many ways. I captured it quickly when I saw Rebecca, Jenine's sister, come over to her and told her about a bumper sticker that she saw on the way to the Denver Zoo. I don't remember the exact words Rebecca said, but I know that it was very powerful and was what Jenine needed to hear that morning.

Joshua 1:9- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

One of the giraffes painted this for Ethan, my heart!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5