The Maple Leaf Mission

My sister, Robyn, was the one who brought this to my attention last week. She had heard about it through one of her special needs groups and thought it was an incredible opportunity for me. Doing something I love, photography, and hopefully making a huge difference in someone's life.

"The Maple Leaf Mission offers 3 types of free photography sessions, our sole purpose is to make those moments with a loved one be it a final moment session, a your moment session or a deployment overseas/homecoming reunion some of the best moments that you can look back on for years to come"

[below are descriptions of each sessions taken from their website www.themapleleafmission.com]

FINAL MOMENT SESSIONS

For a “Terminal Prognosis or a Life limiting Diagnosis” (All age groups) of a family member, yourself or friends, even of a pet its hard to want to pick up your camera and capture that wonderful look of love, that single tear from a mother holding her child or just capturing that pure joy of any family together after such a devastating diagnosis.

Pictures are often the only tangible items that we have left when our precious gifts are taken away or altered in any way. We know how hard this time is for you and your family and know that memories are one of the most important things a person can keep forever.

We would be absolutely honoured to help you in making those memories come true. We offer Photography sessions absolutely free of charge at any time after a prognosis/diagnosis has been made. These sessions can be taken from your/their healthiest to your/their sickest and there is NO limitation on who has to be terminally ill to qualify as we accept any/all situations and any ages. This session does not have to be taken during your loved ones final moments but can be requested if that is what is needed.

YOUR MOMENT SESSIONS
These sessions are our newest sessions that are for the families/individuals that have any debilitating or life limiting illness's a genetic condition or disability but are living your everyday life to the fullest despite your diagnosis. Examples are you have Epilepsy Seizures, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis, Stroke, Blepharophimosis, you are in remission from cancer (best reason to celebrate) you had open heart surgery, you had an amputation, any sort of transplant (kidney, heart, lung, liver ) we cannot name every condition but we will be sure to add to the list as we make memories for families, sky's the limit for this category.

MILITARY MOMENT SESSIONS

For homecoming reunions we strive to capture the pure love and joy that you show the world when you see your loved one for the first time after their journey abroad. Its absolutely unbelievable capturing those beautiful faces that light up as a mother or father, sister or brother, son or daughter even aunt or uncle walks off the airplane after a long period of time of not being able to see or touch each other.

For deployments majority of individuals are overcome with their own emotion that the camera is often forgotten in their hand as they give kisses and hugs for the last time as they leave for their deployment.

Now, tell me how awesome is this? I just got the email, approving me joining this evening. My only thought I have right now is," Am I going to be making my sisters proud?" They both are blessed with children with disabilities. Yes, I said blessed and I think they would agree. Anyone who has a family member with a disability knows the joy that they bring. Even through all the difficult challenges they are hit with or the huge amount of worry or concern for them, knowing that life is going to be a tough struggle, they would have it no other way and are giving thanks and praise to the Lord for blessing them with these beautiful children. And I have to say that out of all of my nephews and my one and only niece, Nathan and Lauren are capable of walking into a room and lighting it up! Their smiles make you want to melt and their kisses are just the sweetest. And every accomplishment they make or every time they prove the doctors wrong, you just want to cry tears of joy! So besides making a difference in someones life, which I truly hope to accomplish by doing this, I hope that Robyn and Kati will be proud!