Not a pretty picture

I spend a lot of time trying to make people look their best. Its about presenting a tailored truth, using my skills and my vision to present someone in the best possible light. My dear friend asked me to photograph her while dializing after 5 days in the hospital. No hair, no makeup. It was time to tell a different kind of story. I have known Maile since I was 15. We have that silly known you forever like a sister kind of thing going on - I am always making her laugh. So on this occasion we had to pause and take a moment to think of the magnitude of her story as she works to promote organ transplantation and research. Maile was diagnosed with acute kidney failure our sophomore year at ASU. She was 19 and I was by her side, transporter from the campus medical center to the ER. I made the call to her father. I was the messenger. Maile's sickness has become part of our story, and after she lost her original kidneys I was tested and discovered I was a match. For now, I'm just holding it for her, until she wants it. For someone with a chronic illness, her life has followed a fairly normal path. She married a wonderful guy, moved around a little before settling back down in our hometown. I like to think she's not all that bad off, a denial that helps me not think about the fact that my oldest friend may not be around until we are old and grey. These images bring it all back into perspective. Maile lives on borrowed time. She desperately needs a new kidney to improve her quality of life. If you believe in Organ donation, tell your family too. Almost all cases require your next of kin to sign over permission. For more information check out http://www.kidney.org. Live on through others. Be an organ and tissue donor.