Photographer advocates for disabled group via private story

BETHPAGE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Sumner County photographer has turned her private journey elevating a daughter with Down syndrome right into a mission to vary perceptions about folks with disabilities via her lens.

Stephanie Mullowney Donahoe, proprietor of Paperdolls Photography, has devoted practically a decade to her craft and her 11-year-old daughter Hannah, who was born with Down syndrome. Her pictures enterprise focuses particularly on people who find themselves in a different way abled, working to advocate for them and problem unfavourable stereotypes. She just lately revealed her espresso desk photograph guide known as Brand of Human.

“It is a photography business focused on people who are differently abled, to advocate for them and change the labels that are negatively construed,” Donahoe stated.

The inspiration for her work got here from her personal expertise as Hannah’s mom. From the second Hannah was born, Donahoe knew her daughter had Down syndrome.

“As soon as they laid her on my chest, I knew she had Down syndrome. It was in her eyes. Those almond shaped eyes,” she stated with tears starting to fill her eyes.

But Donahoe’s journey wasn’t straightforward from the beginning. When Hannah was simply 5 days previous, her husband, who had struggled with dependancy, left the hospital, leaving Donahoe to lift Hannah as a single mom.

“So we’re there in the hospital and it’s just – my husband had struggled with addiction in the past. And at five days old, he left. It was a lot,” Donahoe stated.

For years, Donahoe raised Hannah alone, watching her daughter develop right into a vibrant youngster who loves to bounce and entertain folks.

“She loves to dance and entertain people. She used to be really shy but she had a talent show recently and yeah, she danced to Dance Monkey on there and she sang it too,” Donahoe stated.

Through her pictures work, Donahoe has captured photos of dozens of people with disabilities throughout the nation. She compiled these images right into a guide, with every picture accompanied by a narrative explaining its which means and significance.

“And take the pictures I’ve taken of all these beautiful people all over the U.S. and put it down in a book and beside each picture, write a story of what this picture means, why this is important,” she stated.

A 12 months and a half in the past, Donahoe’s life took an sudden flip when her husband Thomas returned after years of absence. His reunion with Hannah was significantly transferring.

“I watch her hug him and say do you know who I am? I’m your daddy and she just embraced him like nothing had happened. It was just — it reminded me how God is with us. Just open arms like, just, complete, unconditional love,” Donahoe stated.

Thomas acknowledged his previous struggles and expressed gratitude for his household’s forgiveness.

“Did have a severe addiction and I was lost in that. And I didn’t think I was coming back. And man, it is just – I wake up and I pinch myself every day just wondering how this woman forgave me. And how this little girl just adores me,” he stated.

For years, Donahoe had longed for Hannah to have that father-daughter relationship. She would typically turn out to be emotional whereas photographing different fathers and daughters.

“You can ask some of my clients, you know I’ve shot daddy and daughters and I would – I would break down behind my camera crying because I wanted that for her so much,” she stated.

Now, the household of three enjoys dance events, photograph classes, and high quality time collectively. Their religion performs a central function of their lives, reminding them that prayer can change circumstances.

“This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.”

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