The longer we live in Albania, the more entwined our family becomes in the special needs community. It's nothing we sought out, but as with most things in life, one thing led to another...
Additionally, living life with a child who, until recently was largely immobile outside of our home without the aid of a stroller/wheelchair, opened our eyes to the plight of others even worse off than he.
Encountering buildings with flights of stairs to the entrance, no elevators, or an impossibly steep, tile ramp are just some of the barriers that isolate people. Not to mention few handicap parking spaces (which are regularly used by able bodied people), handicap accessible bathrooms doubling as janitor's closets (because 'they don't really need all that space), crumbling sidewalks, high curbs, and lack of access to public transportation. Then there's the social ostracism, the lack of awareness and fear... It lights a fire in us to be a voice, to validate worth, to support where we can work for this population that often goes unnoticed.
The past couple of years I have been honored to serve as a photographer for Night to Shine Albania, a special needs prom that was started by the Tim Tebow Foundation and is locally sponsored in Albania by ICF-Tirana, a church in the heart of the capital of Albania. We have known the pastor of this church since he was a teenager! Their church lines up the venue, finds the flowers, DJ, and trains the whole host of volunteers it takes to provide the event.
The message at the prom is this: every person was created in the image of God. Every person matters to God. Every person is inestimably loved and valued by God such that he gave His very best, His Son, for EVERY person. "Even" those with special needs. Every attendee is showered with love, attention, and honor and has a wonderful time just being celebrated.
Understandably each year the number of participants grows, some of them traveling great distances from the furthest corners of the country for this incredibly unique event.
It's so humbling to receive the thanks of the parents as I capture photos throughout the evening, from the arrival of their children on the red carpet to dancing and the crowning of the queens and kings. It doesn't feel right to accept such effusive thanks when all I did was show up with a piece of equipment, but I see their hearts and try to suppress tears and tell them they have a beautiful daughter or a special son.
This past year, due to a scheduling conflict with one of our village programs, rather than cancel the program so we could attend NTS, I had the idea to bring some of young adults to volunteer at this year's NTS. They were incredibly enthusiastic to help, even arranging time off of work early on two different occasions to attend training.
Imagine our surprise when we arrived at the venue a few hours early for set up and instructions when we were followed into the lobby by an entourage from the Tim Tebow Foundation, including the new Mr. and Mrs. Tim Tebow themselves, straight from their honeymoon!!!
Of course, our local friends didn't know who they were, aside from having seen Tim in a video at the training the week prior. They were more impressed that his wife was a former Miss Universe! :-)
As you can imagine, the presence of the VIPs really ratcheted up the excitement! I can't say I've rubbed shoulders with many celebrities in my lifetime, unless meeting an astronaut and riding an elevator one time in 1997 with Sonny Bono counts.
I was preparing to photograph Luli with his buddy on the red carpet when the Tebows arrived, changed into their fancy attire. Luli promptly stuck out his hand and welcomed them to Albania. This was the photo I captured. It ended up on Fox News' website.
The Tebows spent the first forty-five minutes helping the special guests spiff up with make up and shoe shines.
Ada, the organizer, smartly encouraged some of her friends to attend in national costume. This isn't unusual for weddings or other special events. Additionally, most of the music played were favorite Albanian pop tunes or folks songs. Our American guests got a great taste of Albanian culture throughout the evening!
I may have sort of used my position as photographer to snap photos of our local friends with the celebrities, when it wasn't inconvenient. Eda is below, left.
I LEGITIMATELY had equipment malfunctions which required Nathan to make an emergency trip to the event to bring my back up equipment. I may have told him to bring the kids too and dress them up. I was so glad they were able to come and share in the event!
Before the photo above, Tim asked Reni a number of things about himself and his interests. Then about half an hour later we were gathering on the red carpet for the formal arrivals and Mrs. Tebow saw Reni. As she walked over to introduce herself Tim called to her, "That's my friend, Reni!"
(Yeah, it's the little things like that which impressed us.)
Below, Reni is obviously uncomfortable with the attention of a lovely woman.
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| Someday he will be able to tell his friends he met Miss Universe... and danced with her! |
After this photo he promptly started playing hide-and-seek with the Tebows' videographer who was unsuccessfully trying to capture video of Reni for the event's social media.
The red carpet arrival is so much fun. Each guest is cheered for as they disembark from the limo and walk into the ballroom.
The Tebows were there from the first to the very last guest (which they personally escorted into the dance!)
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| Ellie had initially resisted attending the event, but as you can see, once she was there, she fully enjoyed herself and we barely saw her! |
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| Our colleague, Tiffany, walking in on the red carpet with her buddy for the night. |
After Pastor Kita gave a message in Albanian to everyone who had attended, the Tebows greeted everyone and kicked off the dancing.
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| This photo of Ellie made the Tim Tebow Foundation's instagram and facebook pages. She told me she was thinking as she threw it up in the air, "Tiny Trash!" in a high-pitched alien voice she imagines is spoken by characters in her favorite comic strip, Strange Planet. |
Below, Whitney (in blue) dances with Kimberly (in red). Whitney is a long-time friend from Wilmore who is doing an internship for occupational therapy in Kosovo. She came down to visit us for the weekend and we talked her into extending her visit so she could attend NTS. I think she had fun. :-)
And then Reni finally decided to relax, and let loose, and show his skills.
He was doing the splits. then started walking on his hands.
Nathan said he heard a rhythmic clapping and turned around to see a group gathered in a circle.... around Reni!
I was watching it all unfold and couldn't figure out whether to find Nathan, enjoy the moment and not miss a thing, or take pictures and try to capture something to remember it by. This was my favorite photo of the night, even though you can't see Reni's face.
It was actually quite dark in the moment (the flash was quite powerful at lighting up the scene for 1/125th of a second) so I can't believe I framed the shot so well because while I was focusing on Reni. It's really the expressions of those watching that I love so much.
After seeing the photo Reni quipped, "I wonder how many peoples' cell phones I'm on?" Followed by. "Why didn't I tuck in my shirt?"
My next favorite image(s) were these below. The second photos is probably the most viewed photograph I have ever taken in my life. According to Instagram, it was 'liked' more than 70,000 times and republished on a number of international news sites. What they don't know is the story behind the photo.
The young woman below is our friend, Lisjana. She is a student at the Valdete Trust where Nathan serves as a board member. The school is in the nearby village of Gerdec and serves students between Durres and Tirana who have been unable to attend traditional school because of mobility challenges. Over the years we've gotten acquainted with the students and have been utterly charmed by their sweet spirits. Whenever we have summer interns, we regularly require them to visit the Trust and provide activities for the students after they have finished their classes.
Lisjana was born with CP which has affected her ability to walk and speak clearly (neighborhood children said she talked 'like an old woman'). She desperately wanted to attend NTS this year but her family didn't have the means to bring her and the Valdete Trust lacked the funds to drive the handicap accessible van. Tiffany, who volunteers as an English teacher at the school, shared Lisjana's desire with me. I suggested that Tiffany find out the cost for the diesel and driver's time and share the need with her support team in the States. Of course, Tiffany could have probably covered the cost from her account, but sharing the need would allow someone else the blessing of helping Lisjana experience this special event. Little did we know what the night would hold for Lisjana!
Fast forward a week to NTS 2020. The evening was winding down, but as I made my way around the dance floor, I looked up to see Tim dancing with someone. But not just anyone, our Lisjana!
Tim's staff was documenting the moment on video and I told them, "She speaks English!" They nodded their heads and we all heard Lisjana say to Tim, "I love you!"
He looked up at his assistant and videographer and said, "Does it get any better than this?"
I promptly ran all over trying to find Tiffany. Breathless, I tried to explain what just happened. She had missed the moment in aiding her buddy, but thankfully I had these images. We were all weeping. A short while ago, few people knew of these sweet young lady who had captured our hearts with her sweet spirit and spunky grin. Now her image has been seen around the world and she felt her value and beauty by someone who reminded her that she is lovely and special and worthy!
Finally, I want to close with a note of thanks and pride for this group below (missing Luli). These folks are my neighbors in Vlashaj. They were amazing from the beginning of the night to the end. You would never know by looking at their beautiful clothing, hair and make up that two of them are sleeping in trailers because their homes have been condemned by the earthquake.
They took off of work early to attend training AND the event itself on two different days. They never left the sides of their buddies. They got them food. They accompanied them on the dance floor. They helped their family members feel comfortable. And they went home tired, late at night, with sore feet. I was so proud to see the empathy and kindness they expressed and so happy to see them experience the joy of giving to others. Let's do it again next year!
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