Exhibit focuses on families of special needs kids - story with pics

[Kadie]

Exhibit focuses on families of special needs kids


By SUE MANNING, The Associated Press
2:48 a.m. October 2, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Scars blemish their fragile backs as the brother and sister embrace their parents, showing in a single portrait how the two children got through more than 30 surgeries between them.

Another portrait shows the daughter without ears as her mother pulls the girl's hair back.

"I have a difficulty with her being born without ears. I need to see this image so I can heal in my heart," Debbie Groves told photographer Linnea Lenkus.
The two photos are among 35 portraits Lenkus is displaying to raise money for a Long Beach children's hospital clinic and raise awareness about families with special needs children.

As she took the photo called "Scars of Healing," Lenkus said she realized how powerful the project was.

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"A lot of these kids are terribly misunderstood," he said. "I don't think the idea is to provoke pity but to provide understanding."

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Ross Davis, 31, has four children. His youngest, 2-month-old son Rory, is scheduled for an operation next month for a cleft palate. He will have at least five surgeries before he turns 6, Davis said in a telephone interview.
Davis, a union iron worker from Downey, said he didn't know if he should allow his son's photo to be used. His fiance encouraged him to do it "and it has been a blessing. It's a chance for people to hear what goes on in our lives when we have a disabled child."

more...
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/02/ca-healing-photos-100209/?california%20&%20the%20west



This undated image provided by Linnea Lenkus shows, left to right, Donald Groves, Aaron, Brittany Groves and Debbie, posing for a portrait in Long Beach, Calif. This brother and sister have had 31 operations between them. This portrait is part of a project called, 'Healing.'
(AP Photo/Linnea Lenkus)


In this Sept. 29, 2009 photo, fine art portrait photographer Linnea Lenkus poses with her portraits of children with special needs at her studio in Long Beach, Calif. Lenkus' project titled
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)


Fine art portrait photographer Linnea Lenkus poses with her portraits of children with special needs at her studio on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in Long Beach, Calif. Lenkus' project titled
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)