Image Titles
#1 - Are You Certain it is Crohn’s?
#5 - Dr. An
#3 - Continued Weightloss
#2 - I Couldn't Get Answers
#4 - No Improvement
#6 - Treatment
#7 - Learning What Works for Him
#8 - The Food Folder
#10 - Improvement
#9 - The Price of Healing
This portfolio is a tribute to my brother’s courage and resilience following his diagnosis of Crohn's disease, a lifelong illness that aggressively attacks the intestines, at just 14 years of age. Despite the hardships, he has shown amazing mental and emotional fortitude as he pushes himself to stay fully engaged and not allow this disease to limit him to being only a spectator. I hope that through these images, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of Crohn's disease's physical and emotional toll on the body and that despite its perpetuation, there is a path forward. I aim to honor his experience and shed light on the realities of living with a chronic illness, hoping to foster empathy and awareness. My brother’s journey is one of quiet strength and determination. Through this body of work, his story will hopefully advocate for and inspire others who must suffer in silence. I have documented the physical and emotional challenges my brother has endured, starting from the significant weight loss to the abrupt need to change schools. The collages offer a visual narrative of transformation—the deterioration and gradual rebuilding of his strength and physical appearance. I compiled these pieces with notations and photos from the endless documentation my mother maintained as she attempted to help Jacob navigate this lifelong hardship. They reflect the moments at his doctor's office, his search for answers, and the superficial relief from a condition that can erupt without provocation or notice - whenever, wherever - indefinitely.
Artist Statement