CHELSEA BERRY (18)

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? Because my dad was a photographer and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to connect with him.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. Caring.

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A dolphin.

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? A cell phone, someone I love and a case of Roman noodles.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? My dad has brain cancer.

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? My dad's sense of humor. He has always been funny. But the fact that he can still be humorous during the fight of his life shows me how strong he really is.

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Whenever I would get into a fight with my parents, I'd always think that one day when I am no longer a teenager, we'd all be best friends as adults. But this (dad's cancer) just shows you life is truly precious and though we go through the mean teenager phase it's not an excuse to be mean to your parents.

Though at first I was in denial and shock about the diagnosis, over the months I have accepted that cancer is now part of my life and it's truly a curse and a blessing because my family is a lot stronger and I value the meaning of life and how precious it is.


MICHAEL BERRY (CHELSEA'S DAD)

Regretfully Michael Berry succumbed to his gallant battle with cancer a week before the Opening Night of the Exhibition.

DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
I am proud of my daughter. I love the way she is growing into a vibrant young woman with strong idea and a willingness to take charge. In the short photographic sessions she seemed to enjoy the role of photographer and me her "willing" subject.

The fact that Chelsea has taken the time from her very busy teen life of working full time, to take part in this project is a big deal. It means she was affected enough by my experience of having brain cancer to want to comprehend it herself through this YPI KIDS project. She is using art as a conduit to understand and work out her feelings about how I have changed through this illness. This means a lot to me and as a bonus I'll get to see how she sees me. I am moved by her desire to know me better and understand what I am going through.

Cameras don't lie. These pictures no matter how artful are going to be truthful. I am glad these pictures will document a time when I am so precariously dealing with issues of living and dying and can truly be a record that will last.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
I want her to know you can persevere in the face of a deadly illness. I'm not fighting the good fight; I'm just making sure I wake up each morning. I try to be positive for my children and for my wife. It's in my nature to make jokes and be funny about this stuff. Maybe she'll learn its OK to laugh when things are really bad.

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