Giving Tuesday 2025 is here!
Welcome to Giving Tuesday 2025! Wondering what this is all about? Check out my interview with CBS2/Fox28’s Kelly D’Ambrosio here: http://cbs2iowa.com/community/pay-it-forward/local-photographers-special-giveaway
For Giving Tuesday 2025, I’m giving away a full family session to a local family who has a child (or children) with a disability.
Parents, I see you.
You get up early or stay up late (or both), filling out paperwork and jumping through hoop after hoop to get your baby everything they need. You receive assessment or test results, or have a hard day at therapy, and save the tears for the drive home. You fight for services at IEP meetings and with your health insurance. You see typical kids your own child’s age and your heart breaks a little. You work and you pay for the basics and then therapy and you wonder how you’re going to make ends meet.
Parents, I see you.
You also don’t take anything for granted. Every little milestone (or “inchstone”) is something to be celebrated. The day your 2 1/2 year old took her first steps – the day your 4 year old scooped soup with a spoon without spilling – the day your 7 year old said “I love you” completely unprompted for the first time. The amazing therapists and other people who have come into your life because of your child’s diagnosis. The way you fully appreciate the life you live, because you understand just how very fragile it can be.
Parents, I see you. I see you because I am you.
Our older daughter has Williams Syndrome. (If you’re curious, you can find more information about WS here.) I have been on hold for hours with health insurance. I’ve bought all the Wrightslaw books (NOT an affiliate link – just sharing an invaluable resource!) and advocated for our daughter during IEP meetings. I’ve cried on the way home from difficult therapy sessions and specialist appointments, and I’ve rejoiced at all those little inchstones she’s made in the last fourteen years. I also know how hard it is financially. All the extra co-pays, tests, lab work, therapies, special diets – plus all the gas and wear and tear on your vehicle to drive to all of these appointments – it all adds up. Insurance doesn’t cover everything, and some months can get very lean. Quality, custom photography is a luxury many parents of a disabled child just can’t swing.
I want to give away a full family session to one deserving special needs family this coming summer. If your child has a disability – comment here and share your family’s story. (Be sure to leave your email, so I know how to get in touch with you if you win.) If you know a family who has a child with a disability, share this with them. (And to be fair – those who won in past years, please let other families have a chance this year.) 🙂
And parents, know that you are seen and loved. Thanks for celebrating Giving Tuesday 2025 with me. <3
Thank you to my friend Kristy at Studio K Squared for our family pictures last year!
The fine print: Giving Tuesday 2025 Winner will be chosen randomly via random.org on or around 12/8/25 and notified via email. In the event an email address is not provided, or attempts to contact the winner are unsuccessful, an alternate winner will be chosen. Winner receives a family session including 40 digital images ($600 value). Immediate family only – extended family sessions are available for an upgrade fee. Not redeemable for cash, no substitutions. Session must take place in Cedar Rapids between May 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026.
Greetings from Northeast Iowa. Our 4th child was born with a genetic terminal condition called Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata Type 1 (RCDP). Less than 100 living kids with her condition in the world. It’s a rare form of dwarfism that affects her physically and mentally. She will be 2 in January and she’s beating odds! She is about 23.5” long and weighs 13 lbs 4 oz and that a perfect size for her. Our Cece girly has taught us more about how to appreciate life and to not take a day for granted even when it’s not a good day. She is very much loved by her very active, farm loving, and very helpful big brothers!
danaamanda90@yahoo.com
My name is Amanda Dana and I have two beautiful kids. I have a 5 year old girl Alaina and a 8 year old son named Mason. Mason is non verbal autistic and the very center of my family. We spent 8 days in nicu after a emergency c section as his heart rate completely dropped during labor and he came out a whopping 4lbs 3.4oz! Im a single mom who left a domestic violence situation 3 weeks after my daughter was born. Since then I have achieved great things including buying our own home for my son to grow in. He is such a sweet soul with a very soft voice and his sister is the anchor to him. They do everything together and shes done things even ABA therapy couldnt achieve with his social skills. He knows over 200 words now and is beginning to talk without using his talking device! We’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD and behavioral disorders that have been a challenge but we always overcome. We’ve never had family pictures done and would love the opportunity to show off my little family that has done nothing but blossom in our own environment however its lead to a lot of seclusion. We cant really attend parties or social gatherings or go to other people’s homes due to his outbursts and elopement so I would love to show off that my family is still here, we are thriving and gaining more footing on our social awareness. My son is very well known everywhere he goes because even though he is non verbal he makes a point to say hi to every single person he sees. Hes so happy in his own little world and I want to show that to the big world around him. Thank
I have 4 kiddos! My youngest is disabled. He had a stroke in utero and was born with ccmv. He currently has cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. He’s the most amazing kiddo and my older kids are his biggest cheerleader. He’s currently 13 continues to beat the odds every day. We have lots of therapies and specialists that we go to constantly but he LOVES sports! He plays a variety of sports every year through special olympics and also plays sports through school as well. His peers and teachers are AMAZING and take him under their wing and let him prosper. Love this opportunity, thank you!!
I love this idea so much!!! I have a 12yo profound autistic nonverbal son whose a joy and his brother whose 13 and neurotypical. My boys have been angels as I am just finishing up nursing school and will be an RN, and a husband who will start the police academy for 16weeks starting January. We’d love an opportunity! It’s been 9 years since we’ve had photos done. Thanks again!
What a blessing you are! We are a family of 5. Our youngest daughter is Grace. She is nine years old and has PURA Syndrome and is deaf. She wears bilateral cochlears to help her hear. She is nonverbal and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. Grace also relies on a GTube for nutrition. Grace was diagnosed with hearing loss and received her first pair of HA’s when she was 4 months old. She was implanted with cochlears when she was 7 and 8. Grace received her PURA diagnosis when she was 19 months old. PURA Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with appx 600 people diagnosed, worldwide. People with PURA have softened facial features. They tend to be nonverbal and struggle with motor skills. The PURA gene controls the body’s ability to process all proteins and since your body is made of protein, that means it affects all of your body, from your brain to your lungs, everything. PURA is the only syndrome where it does not matter where on the gene your mutation is as far as how strongly you are affected. You could have a change early on and be less severe or later on in the gene sequence and be most severe. PURA was discovered in 2014, so is fairly new and there is not much research for it as it is so rare. We are blessed to be part of the special needs community. Living this life has taught us to love without holding back, take nothing for granted, rejoice in every little thing. It has taught us to slow down and embrace the quiet moments, soak it ALL in. We have almost lost Grace many times in her short life. We have no idea how long we are gifted her for, but we will surely love her with everything we have for as long as we have her!
I’m sure this was ALL over the place- you know how the special needs mom brain is- always running a million miles an hour. Even if we are not chosen for this, thank you for letting me talk about Grace and for blessing a deserving family with memories to be cherished for a lifetime!
Jessibear517@gmail.com
Hi my name is Jessica!
I have a 5 year old daughter Kinslee who was born with a very rare progressive genetic disorder. TBCD genetic disorder, her life expectancy is age 5. Due to her genetic disorder she is also blind and has a rare form of epilepsy. After an hour long seizure in Jan 2024 she lost the ability to eat by mouth and no longer smiles or laughs. She is wheelchair bound. Severely disabled. We have not been able to get family pictures done since she was 1 yr old due to me being her full time caregiver we live off of just my husband’s income. It’s an amazing gift you are giving. Thank you for considering us!
Our daughter, Lilly, 7 months old now, is a twin who was born two months early and spent a long and difficult stretch in the NICU. She was diagnosed at three months old with a rare genetic neuromuscular disease. So much of this year has been devoted to her care that we missed the chance for newborn and family photos—especially ones capturing her bond with her twin and older toddler brother. This session would mean the world to us, giving our family the opportunity to celebrate her strength and how far she’s come.
My name is Brianna, and I have a 5 year old son with level 2 autism, seizures, and has a mass on his brain that I have to be extra careful with when he hits his head. 3 years ago his father unexpectedly passed away, right as we were in the process of getting him diagnosed with his autism, and then right afterwards I found out he has a seizure disorder and his brain mass. It’s only been me and him navigating this confusing, challenging but in the same breath, rewarding and exciting journey together. We have never had family pictures done due to me being the only income, and would extremely grateful for this opportunity. My 10 year old daughter had been an absolute rockstar in helping and understanding/learning her little brother as well.
Hey my name is Ashtyn,
I have two toddlers Zephyrus and Rhenlee who are both autistic. Zephyrus has delays in speech. Rhenlee is 2 years old but mentally 4 years old with sensory needs such as swinging.
We havent got any sleep around here Rhenlee does not sleep for maybe more then half an hour a night.
I also have a 6 month old baby and they both adore him but maybe not each other (the toddlers) as much right now.
I also was diagnosed autistic so thats been a huge step back and relearn things to help cope with alot of feelings and to teach them.
I love this idea so much! Thank you for giving back to the special needs community! ❤️
My son has had overcome many obstacles throughout the last four years. When I was 29 weeks pregnant I got hit by a speeding driver and had placenta abruption. He was delivered 11 weeks early. His very first night earth side he had pulmonary hemorrhage and was placed on max respiratory support. He fought his way through the nicu despite being told he had low survival odds and after 9.5 long weeks came home on a feeding tube.
That was just the start of his many fights. Since he came home on a feeding tube he had to start speech therapy for feedings. He also had to start early intervention due to being a very preemie. He had multiple appointments a week the first year of life.
Around 6 months adjusted I started to notice signs that he was autistic. It took fighting multiple doctors and even moving half way across country to finally get a diagnosis of profound autism at 2 years old. After his autism diagnosis, they began genetic testing and found that he has a rare genetic defect. He has a microdeletion on chromosome 13. With this genetic mutation comes other health conditions, like epilepsy. This is also why he has autism.
Since my son was born premature, he has a pda heart murmur that never fully closed and will be receiving heart surgery in January (as long as he can stay healthy- we have had to reschedule 3 times since he gets colds frequently due to being immune compromised).
He also has struggled with asthma and chronic lung disease due to being on oxygen support for prolonged periods of time. He has been taking steroids to help develop his lungs ever since he was a year old. Let me tell you, giving a baby an inhaler should be an Olympic sport 😅
My 4 year old now has 9+ doctor appointments a week and is working really hard towards goals that allow him to live his life to the fullest extent. He is non-verbal and is learning to communicate with an aac device. He’s working so hard 🥹
Thank you for allowing us to share our story – and thank you for sharing yours! ❤️
I just wanted to mention you should ask your doctor for a spacer for the inhaler if you don’t have one! It makes inhaler time a breeze!
This is such a sweet idea. We are a blended family of five. Me, my husband, 16 y.o., 5 y.o., and 2 y.o. Our 5 y.o. was born with a heart murmur and had open heart surgery at 5 months old. Thankfully this repaired the 8mm hole in her heart, but just this year she was diagnosed with autism. She has always had a speech delay, but we finally did testing. She is blossoming this year in Kindergarten, learning to read and making strides in her verbal communication. We haven’t had family photos for over 5 years. The two year old has never been in a true, professional family photo.
As I read the message above I got teary eyed because I have felt many of the emotions expressed surrounding our daughter’s disability.
We’re just a little family of two, just me and my daughter Josie. Josie is 7 and she was born with two chromosomal anomalies. The first one is trisomy 4p, which affects less than one in one million people. There’s only one other known case in Iowa. The second is a chromosomal translocation from 4q to 15q. There’s no fancy name for it other than the description because Josie is the only known documented case. Ever. Anywhere. As far as her genetic specialists are aware. For Josie this means she has epilepsy, vision impairment, oral motor difficulties, is missing the main connector between the left and right hemisphere of her brain, has asthma, and has an immune system response problem where allergen foods trigger swelling in her esophagus. There’s more, but that’s the gist of it. Her latest struggle this year has been having to be put on a feeding tube for the foreseeable future. That’s been rough for her when we worked so hard her whole life to keep her orally fed. After months of stomach upset and breathing difficulties on an NG tube she finally got her permanent tube and is improving and even being allowed to eat some select foods by mouth again and we are hopeful for the future. It took her until she was 4 to get off of a baby bottle. It took her until she was 5 to take her first steps, and walking is still a challenge she’s working on but she’s getting pretty good. She’s a silly and outgoing little girl with a smile like nobody’s business. She’s loves dogs, chickens, paw patrol, and Scooby doo, and making friends. Despite being mostly nonverbal she finds ways to socialize and interact at school and in her community. She has braved multiple stomach surgeries and multiple airway surgeries at this point, and we don’t know for sure what additional surgeries the future may hold for her, but there certainly may be more to come for things like her legs/feet (she was born with a deformity that she had to do a series of casts on her legs for as a baby). I treasure every day with her, and I try my best as her mommy to make every day special despite my own difficulties dealing with idiopathic hypersomnia.
Hello! Our daughter Ella is six years old. She has faced a lot of struggles in her six years. When she was born she was immediately sent to the U of I where we learned she was born with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. She had to have surgery at just 5 days old to repair this. She then spent the next 32 days in the NICU. Since then she has had three dilations of her esophagus along with many hours of occupational therapy to learn to properly eat. When she was almost 2 years old she was diagnosed with autism and was considered to be nonverbal. Since then she has made so many leaps and bounds. Last year she was also diagnosed with ADHD. Thanks to early intervention and the help of her amazing therapists she has learned to talk and communicate. Thank you for doing this!