A few weeks ago I posted asking for people to nominate someone who has had a tough year, whether it has been from emotional stress, financial burdens, health problems, the loss of a loved one etc. Now I have the pleasure of announcing the winner of a free photo session and my highest collection, worth over $600.

CONGRATULATIONS Jodie Willis, nominated by the generous Kylee Davie.

Here is the entry submitted by Kylee:

I had the pleasure of meeting Jodie thru Early Childhood Intervention Services, where I take Veronika, earlier this year. Straight away I was drawn to her and the positive energy around her. She is truely beautiful inside and out. Jodie is married to Eddie and together they are blessed with 2 beautiful and perfect boys, Cooper who is 3 and Hamish who is 19 months. When Jodie had her 20 weeks scan when pregnant with Hamish, it was discovered that he has a very rare heart condition, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where basically only one side of his heart works. Jodie had to go to melbourne when she was around 34 weeks pregnant as her Doctor was not happy for her to have Hamish here. Hamish survived the birth, and was rushed to the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne, (Jodie had to have him at the Womens Hospital). You would need to check with Jodie, but i think he was operated on that day or the next. It was around 7 months later when they got to bring Hamish home, to Hobart. Jodie has had to educate the ambulance officers in her area, how to deal with Hamishes condition, as when he has his episodes when he goes blue, they have had some very fast ambulances trips to the Royal. I think Hamish has had around 7 heart operations since birth, and is hoping to not need any more for around a year. He is so gorgeous and his eyes are amazing, you would love to photograph him!!

When Cooper had an appointment with his paedatrican recently it was discovered that he had murmur in his heart, and because of Hamishes condition they decided to investigate this further. Jodie(and Eddie) were understandably devistated when it was discovered that Cooper has a significant hole in his heart called an ASD, and was immediately refered to a cardiologist in Melbourne where he is on the waiting list for open heart surgery, and this is most likely going to be done early next year.

Jodie is always so possitive, and the 1st to offer me help when someone in my family is unwell. She inspires me, to help Veronika maximise her potential, and I am truely blessed to have Jodie as my friend.

Because of Hamishes condition, Jodie and Eddie don’t know how long the are blessed to have Hamish with them, there is the very real possibility that he may not wake up from his sleep tonight. Jodie is unable to return to work, as Hamish needs care 24 hours a day. When i asked Jodie if she would be happy for me to nominate her, she almost cried as she would never to be able to afford to get professional family photos taken, i know she and Eddie would truely appreciate and cherish any photos if they were selected as the winners.

Thanks for running this, I think its great to be able to tell you friends that you are so inspired by them that you want to nominate them, even though we shouldn’t need a reason to tell them they are amazing…….

I’ve just gotten off the phone to Jodie, who was over the moon and extremely amazed by the win. I feel so humbled and privelidged to be able to do this for Jodie and her family. I’m finding it hard to type this without tears welling in my eyes.

I hope you and your family have the most Merry Christmas Jodie!