We All Have a Story, Tara: Rochester, NY Portrait Project

"My name is Tara Yaravitz.  I am most known in Webster CSD and at my home school of Klem North as the school nurse.  Most of my co-workers see me as someone who helps students with cuts and bruises, but my most important job happens when I leave the building and head home.  I am mom to Hannah, age 11, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was seven years old.  Since then, much of my time outside of the workplace consists of diabetes management at home, advocating for those living with type 1 diabetes, and being involved in our diabetes community at both a local and national level.  My daughter's strength and courage have written my story.  Finding a cure for diabetes is a dream, but one that we hold on to with so much hope.  Sometimes real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles."

Tara was one of the first responders to my call for participants of this project.  It was clear right from our first meeting what her story would be about.  She and her husband, Martin, as well as Hannah are very involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) which is an organization that acts as a support system for the family and gives them a sense of hope and togetherness.  Teaching their daughter not to wallow in the diagnosis, but to learn and thrive has been their goal from the moment they were given the news.  Their committment with the diabetes community is inspirational as is their love for each other. 

This multi-image piece, required that we meet several times over the course of five months and I so appreciate their patience and willingness to do that.  It's been a pleasure getting to know this wonderful family and helping to spread awareness of this disease by sharing Tara's story.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, please visit the JDRF site for more information and make sure to leave a comment!