ASHLEY MURPHY (11)

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? Because I thought that it would be fun to take pix of my mom.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. Energetic.

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

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? My mom, my cat and my stuffed snowman.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? That I can draw like an anime (the art of drawing Japanese cartoon characters) artist.

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? My mom is very lucky to have survived cancer (the "Big C").

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE? It was hard for me to cuddle because my mom could not move that much.


SUSAN MURPHY (ASHLEY'S MOM)

DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
Having participated in the YPI KIDS project after my treatment was completed has allowed both of us the luxury of a renewed perspective. For me with this new perspective came the realization that my little girl is quickly becoming a beautiful young lady.... beautiful on the inside that is.

The photographs Ashley captured are creations and hers alone. It is comforting to know that she will have these images with her always... when I am here and when I am not.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
At a time when both of us no longer felt in control of our lives or my health, we reminded each other that you do have control over the choices you make. By that I mean either choosing to take a positive outlook or choosing to give up. Choosing the positive road has made all the difference in the world.

Ashley and I shared many mother-daughter moments during this difficult ordeal. These memories will be with me forever. Ashley knows that there is a special place in my heart that is hers and hers alone. The three words she has heard from me each and every day during this long ordeal..."Mama loves you".

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