The 52 photographs in this album are the work of 6 carers of people with Huntington's Disease, who decided to make the hidden world of caring more visible to others. We want to thank the carers for allowing us to benefit from their experience, and for allowing us to share this.
The carers set out to photograph things or issues within their everyday life. To safeguard the privacy of the person they cared for, and the privacy of other family members, the group agreed that the photographs would not include people. The group discussed the photographs and there were several themes that emerged. However, to allow for multiple uses of the photographs, and to reflect the sometimes haphazard journey of caring, the photographs are not grouped thematically in this album.
The words are the "voices" that were offered by the photographer to explain how or why the photo expressed some aspect of their everyday life. The words accompany the photographs as equal partners, but can be used in different ways.
Depending on the context, the "voices" can be presented (as in this album) with the photographs enabling the viewers to see what the photographer intended; often an "invisible" detail of the reality of being a carer. Or the photographs can be presented without the "voices", allowing the viewer to interpret for themselves what the image was meant to convey.
The photographs and the "voices" can be used to support carers in three different ways:
Within the carer's own experience: through identifying and expressing issues, ideas and the positive and negative aspects of everyday life.
Between carers: we know carers really value and develop from the advice and support of other carers. We see the collection as a valuable resource for our work with geographically or socially isolated carers, enabling them to share experiences through discussion or group work.
Within the wider community: by providing information about the quality of life of carers, we enable the public to see what is often an invisible part of being a carer. Professionals and service providers are also reminded of the reality of everyday life for carers.
View the Carers' Photovoice Album now.
(The Album is best viewed in Full Screen mode. In most browsers use the F11 key to enter and leave Full Screen mode or check the "View" menu for a Full Screen option.)
We intend to use these photographs at each of the three levels just mentioned, i.e. with individuals, with small groups of carers, and the wider community. We are also planning exhibitions in regional areas so as to share the "city" carers' world with "country" carers around NSW and the ACT. So once again, our sincere thanks to the carers who have shared the detail of their everyday lives and thoughts.
For further information about the project, phone Maria Mackell, Carer Support Co-ordinator, on 1800 244 735 (Freecall for people living in regional NSW), (02) 9874 9777 or send an e-mail: Maria: maria@ahdansw.asn.au
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