Love of Brothers - Family Photography - Special Needs {Minnetonka Photography}
fun family fall photography session wayzata family photographer
This is my most recent family photography session that I did as a volunteer for HopeKids Minnesota. Megan and Nick are amazing parents to Teddy age 4 (their Hope Kid) and Max age 1. It was such an honor to photograph families this Fall and, especially, to chase around such fun little boys. Almost every session I did had rambunctious little boys, full of life and incredible energy!
Megan shared Teddy's story with me. Teddy was born following an emergency c-section. Shortly after his birth, he was rushed to Children's Hospital following an x-ray which showed an obstruction in his abdomen. After several attempts to remove the obstruction non-surgically, doctors told Megan and Nick that surgery was necessary and to be prepared for a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. It turns out that in the womb, Teddy's bowels had ruptured, and by some miracle a cyst had formed around them which prevented Teddy from dying of an infection. The surgeon had to remove 2/3s of Teddy's bowel which meant he would have to battle short bowel syndrome his entire life. He had also lost 1/3 of his blood and things were very precarious the following days. Megan and Nick prayed for their little boy constantly, met with specialist upon specialist, and then prepared for the life-long journey of cystic fibrosis. After 6 weeks they were finally able to bring their beautiful boy home.
Teddy is an incredibly strong and vivacious little boy. His smile melts your heart and his little brother Max adores him. For the first three and a half years of Teddy's life, Teddy has faced challenge upon challenge, but has continued to amaze his parents with his strong spirit and love for life. He has an immune system deficiency which requires weekly injections, hypothyroidism, daily nebulizer treatments, and over 20 pills per day which he learned to swallow at 10 months old! Despite these daily struggles, Teddy simply lives life like any other 4 year old! He is full of adventure, loves to swim and, life a true Minnesotan, he loves hockey!
Teddy and Max are beautiful brothers. They wrestle, they tease, they run through the leaves seeing who can carry the biggest stick. But most of all they love! They love to laugh, play, and live life knowing they are loved by incredible parents. God has blessed them with Hope. Hope to live life, not focusing on their challenges or troubles, but hope which seeks out joy and beauty in the precious gifts that they have been given.
