A lead partition separated us from Jordan after the radionuclide tracer was injected. Here are the rules, Jordan. After we give you this medicine, you can’t talk. You have to lie still. Jordan squinted one eye as she often does when processing a request. This was new information. We didn’t know that she’d have to go for nearly an hour without talking or moving around. Jordan can tolerate pain that would make a Hell’s Angel cry, but going silent for a long stretch of time is a real challenge.

One of many self-portraits Jordan sends me now and again. Every once in awhile, Jordan sends me text messages from her phone. As she cannot read, she often sends me words she comes across. I’ve had texts that read simply, “Oreos,” or “Barbie.” Sometimes she just sends me her initials or she sends me the word “love.” I love them all. But my favorite texts are the pictures she sends via MMS.

To tell you the truth, we were absolute cowards. The boy and I stood in the middle of the 3rd Street Promenade finding ways to avoid our assignment. Our family was on a photographic field trip. Each of us had to approach a complete stranger and ask if we could take their portrait. We only had to get one, but the goal of the assignment was to capture as many as we could before the good natural light disappeared for the day. I kept shooting “test shots” of Luc to make sure my exposure was good. He kept shuffling his feet and fidgeting with his gear. Jeanette chased after Jordan, who walked right up to a family, introduced herself and attempted to get her first portrait of the evening.

– Can I take your picture?

– Oh. You want to take my picture?

– Yes. It’s for an as-, it’s for an as-, it’s…

Jeanette interrupted her quietly.

– Try again, Jordan.

– It’s for an assignment.

Everything about the evening was perfect. The kids walked down a red carpet and had their pictures taken in Hollywood style as they arrived. A DJ spun great tunes as survivors and celebrities mingled around the Kopeikin Gallery, admiring the work of inspired Shutterbugs. Jordan gave an interview and proudly shared insights on her photos. It was a sublime experience that was fun, emotional, and inspiring. Our family is so grateful to all the good folks at Pablove: Jo Ann Thrailkill and Jeff Castelaz, Shutterbugs founder Cath Berclaz, and Jordan’s terrific teacher, Kate.

Jordan Explains How She Chooses Friends [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF6J3FgMylI]