This summer, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta asked their patients to tell them about their scars in their own words.
For the littlest ones, mom and dad helped express their journeys. The responses ranged from comical: “I wrestled a shark—and won!” to profound “Without my scars, there would be no me.” Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta teamed up with local photographer Kate T. Parker to showcase several brave patients — all of whom show scars can be a sign of survival, a badge an honor, part of their unique journey.
Courtney Lott of Alpharetta said her daughter Emmy, who is 6, was happy to be part of the project.
“We really strive to help her have a good attitude and self image, and our motto is telling her to choose joy and she has really embraced that,” said Lott. “(The scar) may be an outward blemish to some, but we believe it is a sign of her strength and bravery and how much she has overcome.”
In the photo of Emmy, the girl who has sickle cell disease, looks directly the camera with her big brown eyes. The caption: I've worked hard for my scars. I am proud of my suckers.
Parker has been working on a photo project called, “Strong is the New Pretty,” which will be released as a book during the coming months. She plans to include at least three images from the Children’s photo project.
“There was no meeting to pull the kids out their shell. I didn’t haven’t to talk them into it,” said Parker. “Every child was very proud to show off their scars and what they’ve done since, and it was heartening to see that.”
Parker a mom to two children who lives in Roswell said she hopes the Children’s photo project resonates with people of all ages.
“I want people to recognize your beauty is who you are and exactly who you are without having to change to fit into some kind of standard,” she said.
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