Showcasing a Direct View into Hidden Physical Health Conditions

    I am someone who has been living life with an unseen and uncommon health condition. Many people with health conditions that are not visible might be able to relate to my hidden pain and long hospital trips. This series showcases my body and its scars as a result of a condition called Meckel's Diverticulum. This has led to many twisted bowel obstructions equaling many surgeries and hospitalizations. I wish to shine a light on hidden health conditions that are uncommon as well as to help myself come to terms with the new changes that have occurred within my body this year.

Here, you will see scars from two laparoscopic surgeries as well as a scar from a PICC line IV (short for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter). Pain that is invisible can have a greater impact on mental health and studies have shown that “people living with chronic physical health conditions experience depression and anxiety at twice the rate of the general population.” This series, showcasing my physical body through self-portraiture as well as items from my hospitalizations, exists to highlight that no matter what age you are, you can have invisible health conditions.

Bio

Photography is Dana’s passion; this passion is what drives her to document experiences, scenes and moments in life. She captures images on film and digital that showcase events that are beautiful to the eye but also can bring awareness to the unseen. Dana would describe her style as ‘clean and simple.’ Photographers like Sophie Mayanne, Nadav Kander and Tim Hawley are some of the few that have influenced and inspired Dana.