Amy Wenzel: I Heart Faces

I was excited and petrified all at once. One of my favorite photographers, Amy Wenzel, is giving away a spot in an upcoming workshop she is hosting via I Heart Faces. She is asking why we believe we are an inspiration to others. I was excited about the workshop, but petrified to open up and write my story.


How do I inspire others? The honest answer, I don't really know. I didn't intend to...

As a young adult I imagined having perfect kids, watching them grow up, play sports, graduate from college, get married, have babies...a dream many women have as they look ahead to the future.

I am blessed to be the mother of a beautiful boy named Cole. Three years ago, during an ultrasound in my 32nd week of pregnancy, I heard three words that would change my life forever...Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. The disease affects everyone differently, some severely, others are so mildly affected that it often goes undiagnosed. Cole was formally diagnosed at birth and our family life has been a roller coaster ride ever since. He started having seizures at six months and is considered globally delayed. Modern medicine didn’t stop Cole’s seizures, but changing his diet did. Cole continues to make positive strides with the help of wonderful doctors, therapists, teachers, friends and family. We are blessed to have a huge support system who have been there for us along this journey because if definitely takes a village to raise a child. We are finally at a point where life is starting to feel...normal...if there is such a thing...and now I feel it is my time to give back.

It is hard to verbalize how I believe I inspire others...it is almost embarrassing to hear people call me inspirational because I don't think I do anything special. I do the same thing that any parent in my position would do. However, being the parent of a special needs child can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining. There are many days that I feel like a failure more than an inspiration. With that said, every parent wants beautiful portraits of their children to keep special moments alive. With Cole, I understand how difficult it is to have his (or our family's) picture taken. It requires someone with incredible patience, time and understanding because he doesn’t smile on command, sit still or even look in the direction you want him to.

The geeky, posed, school pictures aren’t a true representation of who our children are and don’t always portray them in a positive light. I have recently turned my love for children and passion for photography into a new business. As part of my business I want to give back and provide a comfortable photo session for our special children and to capture precious moments for families who haven't always had an easy road. I would love to attend Amy’s workshop to sharpen the skills I have to pay it forward and help give parents beautiful lasting memories of our special children. Families of special needs children often get stared at, overlooked and ignored. Our children are just as loved and wanted as every other child and deserved to be treated that way.