In partnership with Baylor College of Medicine's Transitional Medicine Clinic, FotoFest's Literacy Through Photography© (LTP) program expanded its reach in September from the traditional K-12 classroom setting to a group of young adults with chronic illnesses under Baylor’s care. Two young men and two young women participated in the program this year, meeting once a month and communicating between lessons via internet.

Literacy Through Photography’s storytelling and picture-making instructions called for Baylor’s participants to relate their unique experiences living with life-threatening illnesses. The students' testimonials and portraits demonstrate their personal courage and the power of storytelling. It proves again that we all have a story to tell and pictures to show.

Regina's Special Day
By Craig Anthony Thomas
Course designer/instructor

Debra Haney has been advocating for all of daughter Regina's 22 years.

“When she was born, doctors didn't think she would live two days,” Debby told me after the start of the digital storytelling project began last fall. “I forced myself not to think about anything else but bringing her home (from the hospital).”

After multiple extraordinary surgical procedures, Debby did bring Regina home.

“There were few resources for bewildered parents with a fragile newborn,” Debby recalled.

That's why she welcomed the chance for Regina to tell her story about living with life-threatening illnesses and learning to take digital photographs during Literacy Through Photography, a partnership between FotoFest and Baylor College of Medicine's Transitional Medicine Clinic program. “I can tell you it (living with the ailments) hasn't been easy for her or for me,” Debby confided.

Major medical problems kept Regina from earning her high school diploma with her class. She was in and out of hospitals for treatment when her health worsened seven years ago. But she persisted and earned her G.E.D. recently. She also won a scholarship to a writing program, which she credits, in part, to her participation in Literacy Through Photography.

Debby, dad Rick and brother James decided to make the G.E.D. award a big deal – and rightly so. Regina was treated to a surprise celebration on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at her family's church, The Bridge Fellowship in Sugar Land. The festivities included a parade of tributes from family, pastors, teachers, and lots of friends.