I saw a photo of Andy Warhol by Richard Avedon. In it Warhol was showing Avedon his scars from when he was shot.
That photo led me to ask my son if I could take a picture of his tummy.
What you see in the photo are the two major scars left from his experience, the first is a long scar that follows his ribs, from the surgery to correct his birth defect. The second from his G-tube,or gastric feeding tube, because he could not and didn't know how to eat.That tube was in him for over a year.
He was born with a diaphragmatic hernia. What that means is his diaphragm had a hole in it and that allowed his intestines to go into his chest cavity. This has left him with no left lung because the lung could not develop with his intestines in his chest.
He didn’t think twice about showing off his 2 belly buttons.
42 responses
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Melinda Smith said (21 Aug 2008):
His brave battle scars.
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Jake Skjerven gave props (22 Aug 2008):
tough kid, glad he could deal with its so well
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Tonya Doughty said (22 Aug 2008):
beautiful, stark photo.
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Klaus Girk (Deleted) gave props (22 Aug 2008):
Glad he withstood the surgery and he is around to tell about it.
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Klaus Girk (Deleted) said (22 Aug 2008):
I don't think my wife will show off her two belly buttons. Hers were the result of having a feeding tube put in when in ICU in the hospital after her stroke.
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Dani Barchana gave props (22 Aug 2008):
Kids are always braver and stronger then us, Thank god for that, or else, I do not know what we, the parents, would do....
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Laurie Search gave props (22 Aug 2008):
Awww, what a little sweetheart. I hope he stays well!!!
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Lynn H gave props (3 Sep 2008):
HUGS to that brave boy! He sure is a hero! :)
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kait decious gave props (4 Sep 2008):
This photo is spectacular, he sure is brave. Any child able to withstand a procedure like that is definitely a hero!
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Nefertari Georgious said (11 Sep 2008):
This conveys so much. Love it.
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Kriang K. gave props (13 Sep 2008):
Tug my heartstrings, God bless him.
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anahita nicoukar avalos said (14 Sep 2008):
i agree with Dani Barchena thanks god our kids are always stronger than we can imagine.
My son kept the gtube for more than 6 years.He has costello syndrome and kids with this condition start life without wanting to eat.
It's been 1 month since we took the button out because now he eats so well .
I love this picture because this little boy is clearly showing his scars ,my son doesn't understand yet he's got scars ,he doesan't even think these are things he could hide or show.
Anyway it's very brave of both of you to show them. -
Justin Bane said (16 Sep 2008):
the scars are what make us... he is a very brave young man. just awesome, march on little brother!
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Nora Kubach gave props (18 Sep 2008):
what a beautiful story, and a fantastic photograph
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Vicki Koch said (21 Sep 2008):
wow! He will change the world in some way... I can't wait to see what he does when he gets older.... Yeah! for the Brave little Man!!
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Iraklis Lianos gave props (1 Oct 2008):
Hero indeed! Tough little guy. Great framing and light on the pic.
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Mayette Ignacio gave props (2 Oct 2008):
My heart is full, am loss for words, I know how it feels to have a sick child.. he's so adorable and blessed. and youre a great dad.
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Joseph H. Dalton gave props (8 Oct 2008):
may his days be long...and that is wonderful to see, the child the hero of the father. Good shot too.
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Traci Howard gave props (13 Oct 2008):
agree with Joseph - couldn't have said it better - excellent image and story!
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Camille Susak gave props (15 Oct 2008):
Definate hero-and how strong he'll be for the rest of his life because of this experience-Bravo!!
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Marek Janicek said (25 Oct 2008):
I got few scars myself and I know they are something that will remind me that what happened was for real. Your son is a brave kid and he will surely grow stronger!
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Angelo Narciso gave props (28 Oct 2008):
powerful photo... strong son... you have every reason to be proud!
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John Linton gave props (31 Oct 2008):
Powerful entry.
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! ! ! Carolina Quijada ! ! ! gave props (12 Nov 2008):
That is so touching. He's a real trooper for allowing his suffering to be displayed. Beautiful job, Howard.
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Robert Carey gave props (3 Jan 2009):
What a brave little man! Very touching.
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Nor Yaj said (12 Jan 2009):
Inspiration comes in many forms. Children are the most powerful. Thank you for sharing the story Thank your son for allowing you to shoot the photograph.
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Elizabeth Salib said (31 Jan 2009):
I hope that no other illness comes his way. He's endured so much already.
He has a very strong and encouraging family by the looks of it, though. It's no wonder he's so heroic. -
Mykola Swarnyk gave props (4 Mar 2009):
Thank you, Howard, for sharing this story and this picture! Good health to you and your family!
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Sally Sloley said (27 Apr 2009):
what a wonderful and touching photo!
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Bethany Crawford said (12 May 2009):
What a brave little kid. :)
And when I saw this thumbnail on the homepage, I immediately thought of the Avedon photo you speak of. -
Gloria Childers gave props (13 May 2009):
I would also call him a HERO.
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Pascal Fellonneau said (25 May 2009):
stunning
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mike thompson gave props (15 Jun 2009):
really impressive. This shot is visually arresting in so many ways.
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:) L P gave props (25 Jun 2009):
wow what a story...so touching. how is he doing today?
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Donna Weston gave props (3 Jul 2009):
He is a true HERO!
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Joel MacPherson gave props (24 Aug 2009):
wow....
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francesco scipioni gave props (3 Sep 2009):
speechless.....
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Brian said (18 Sep 2009):
He has the same scars I have.34 years ago when I was born, I suffered from a Diaphragmatic Hernia too. I completely ruined my parents Thanksgiving Day Dinner.HAHAHA!!! We laugh about it now but back then the survival rate was really low for such complications.When people ask him what it's from make up a new story every time.I'm glad to hear he is ok.
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linda woods said (9 Oct 2009):
What a trooper! How lovely that he FINALLY got that NG tube out! And hey, not just every kid can boast that they have an innie AND an outie!
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Kayla Rose Lockwood said (18 Oct 2009):
i had that disorder when i was born to and i have never anyone eles with it well only 1 of 2500 are born with it i guess we werent one of the lucky ones
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Jen Creed gave props (23 Oct 2009):
WOW. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful photo. Props to both of you!
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Dominic Kite gave props (24 Oct 2009):
I love the way he displays these proudly, this is who I am, they're part of me.
