Testimonials
In 1999, I gave birth to triplets. We lost our firstborn son, Nicholas. He was with us for 11 days. I regret that during that time, very few photos were taken and all I have is a Polaroid of him covered in tubes and wires. After he passed, the nurses took photos of him, doing the best they could. I'm glad to have those photos, but they aren't anything I could ever show anyone - too upsetting. My surviving triplets have never seen the photos, because they are simply too graphic. I have been a NILMDTS photographer for almost a year now, and every session I do gives me a chance to save another family the pain of not having photos that are presentable. It is an honor for me to share the short time that these babies have with their families, and to give them the gift of beautiful photos that can help the families to heal and to remember their little ones. Every baby is beautiful and precious, even those who aren't with us for very long.
~Heather Frackiewicz, Arizona NILMDTS photographer
From the very first moment I heard about NILMDTS I knew I had to be a part of this organization. Nearly a year after joining I received my first call. The parents were expecting a baby girl with Trisomy 18 and were inquiring if I would be willing to help them, I responded immediately telling mom that I would be honored to share in her daughter's life. After a day or two it occurred to me thinking about them that the vast majority of the time she was getting to spend with her child was while she was still in the womb and offered them to come in for a complimentary maternity session as well, which they eagerly took me up on. It provided both mom and dad and myself some time to get to know one another and for them to share their experience with me, I knew after that day what an incredible and special day I was going to witness, they were so hopeful and gracious and grateful for everything they had, rather than being angry or upset for what they wouldn't have, and that in itself moved me greatly. When the big day arrived I was elated to hear that she cried when she was born and that they were able to spend some time with her while she lived. The day that Dora came into the world was one of the most incredibly profound days of my life; I witnessed so much love that day from their friends and family and felt so much love from them myself. I don't think they noticed but as their friends swarmed and embraced mom, after little Dora had passed I wept with them while I photographed. I am grateful to have had the privilege of knowing them. My heart is fuller for knowing them. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to help them remember their beautiful child as the angel she is.
~Aurora Onorato - Connecticut NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer and Area Coordinator
