Yahoo Lifestyle Protecting our tomorrows: Portraits of meningococcal disease
World renowned photographer, Anne Geddes, is leading a new campaign to educate parents about the threat of meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention.
Geddes, a passionate supporter of child health, is partnering with meningococcal disease support groups from around the world to photograph 15 different families whose lives have been affected by the disease.
This week she released the first images of three young survivors of the disease, Bernadette Giribaldi, Mackenzie Cooper and Danielle Weymark from her upcoming book Protecting our tomorrows: Portraits of meningococcal disease.
The complete collection of images from this global campaign will form a photo book to be released on World Meningitis Day on 24 April 2014.
Speaking to Practical Parenting, Geddes says the project is one that is close to her heart. As an advocate for the United Nations Shot@Life program she is all too aware of the devastation caused by lack of access to basic health care. As Geddes points out, more than 1.5 million children die every year from preventable diseases because they do not get the vaccines they need.
The timing of the campaign coincides with a survey of more than 1,000 Australian parents that reveals over 50 per cent do not understand the disease and almost 80 per cent do not have confidence in their ability to identify its signs or symptoms.
That is why Geddes' advice to all parents is loud and clear, "Visit the Meningococcal Australia website or Facebook page. Be aware of the symptoms and be able to recognise them. They are very much like the flu, but if you feel something is not right with your child, act quickly! Jump up and down, make a noise! Go to your doctor and make sure your children's vaccinations are up to date".
In describing the images, Geddes told Practical Parenting that she wanted to find a common theme for the collection, "I needed to link all these families from so many different backgrounds together, so I thought about what kind of things move me as a photographer and I wanted to include elements of nature that bring forth new life".
And so she chose nests as her common theme, "because of everything that nests represent - family, nurturing, protection and a deceptive strength. I felt this was a perfect metaphor for what these families go through".
Geddes says that she found working with the kids and their families "totally inspirational" and her goal was not to shock with the images, but for people to first of all see a beautiful child, "the effects of the disease should be secondary".
Here are some of the images and Geddes' own recollections from her first photo shoot in Sydney last month...
Bernadette Giribaldi, 6 years old
"Bernadette has three brothers and her whole family are all aware of what her life will be like and the different situations she will face. Her Dad was in the studio for the shoot, he said he hopes she'll be a great example to others that there are more important things in life."
Mackenzie Cooper, 9 years old
"Mackenzie is very self-aware. When I was thinking about how to photograph him, he just sat up and performed a yoga pose - fingers and toes out there for all to see. I couldn't get back to my camera fast enough. I managed to get five frames before he broke out of it."
Danielle Weymark
"Danielle was only 14-months-old when she was diagnosed with the disease. Now she is twenty. We found out just today that she has been included in the team to attend the 2016 Rio Paralympics."
Some facts about meningococcal disease:
Sudden and severe, the disease can lead to death in less than 24 hours. It can present as meningitis (an infection of the membrane around the brain and spine), septicaemia (blood poisoning), or a combination of both.
Transmitted by respiratory droplets and is spread by prolonged or close contact. Good hygiene is important in minimising the likelihood of spreading the disease.
The signs and symptoms often resemble the flu which means it can be easily misdiagnosed in its early stages, even by experienced healthcare professionals.
Symptoms can vary considerably and may include headache, fever, fatigue or drowsiness, a stiff or painful neck, sensitivity to light and vomiting or shivering, cold hands and feet, muscle or joint pain, or a change in skin colour.
A rash may also develop which can start off as a spot, blister or pinpricks and later turn into purple bruise-like blotches.
If you are in any way concerned that you or someone you know is presenting with symptoms consistent with meningococcal disease, seek medical advice from your doctor or hospital immediately.
For more information please visit Meningococcal Australia.
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