Kate Henwood
As part of my ongoing ‘Life, Death and Everything In-Between‘ project, I’ve decided to dedicate some of my efforts in photographing scars and conditions we can’t see with our eyes or when we are fully clothed. This aspect covers most of the topics I’ve been messaging/chatting with some of you recently i.e. Mental Health, Alcoholism, Cancer, ME, Endometriosis etc.
I want to use coloured gels to draw your eyes to the ‘Unhidden’ too. The person I am shooting gets to choose the colour.
Here’s Kate’s story.
I’ve known the lovely Kate for a fair few years now, she’s one of life’s troopers and a wonderful friend. Widowed from Bruce in 2012 and mum to Oliver, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and elected to have a double mastectomy.
“My mastectomy scars are the only visible legacy to my perpetual roller coaster ride with secondary breast cancer, documenting just a tiny part of my experience and the amazing lessons that a treatable yet incurable medical diagnosis has taught me. My ride began in 2015 and will continue until the day I die.
You can read all about it here. My scars are a reminder of an uncertain, unstable and flipping scary time. It’s still scary and uncertain but for now, it’s stable. Cancer is scary but one thing I am certain of – cancer is a condition that I have; it’s not who I am.”
Is there anything else you’d like to mention Kate about your session to encourage others to tell their story?
“Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself. Cancer. The word itself scares people. Speak about it. Name it. Talk to friends.
It’s okay to be scared. It’s not okay to be scared and on your own. Reach out. You will find friends who understand. and even if they don’t understand, your true friends will hold your hand in the darkness.
The more we can share our fears, experiences and our fragility, the less scary it becomes for us and, in turn, for others… Be brave. Share your stories…you’ll find you’re not alone xx”
I’m rooting for you Kate <3
If you have an Unhidden, I’d love to arrange a sitting and tell your story.
L
xXx
I have a few unbidden, self harm when younger and into adulthood…. I hope that’s the end but who knows, then there is my ex heroin addict days not too obvious but…. Thats really hidden, now my struggle with alcohol. Mostly under control but not always I have a job I bought up an amazing son but sometimes I struggle.. Then there is my head sometimes it gives me huge amounts of grief and I’ve suffered from depression, but hey its hidden cos I have a job right…. I have a smile for everyone…
Then there is the menopause…. It strikes me down with hot flushes that render me frightenened and feeling claustrophobic in my own body, panicked by the extreme heat, the sweat…. But I’m ok right…. I have a job I look normal, I have a smile for everyone..x
One day at a time Helen 🙂 x