Dilemma - maybe you can help

[Hacker]

For some time now I have provided a hospice with various images as and when they needed them, mostly as a result of fund raising initiatives, etc. It breaks my heart to see some of the younger people who are very ill and I count my blessings that I have two healthy boys who are a joy to be with.

Anyway, the reason for this thread is that a classmate of my eight year old son has a brain tumour, she has recently gone blind because of this and has not got much time left, it has been very distressing to see her go downhill. It got me thinking that I could offer my services to the hospice to see if parents wanted portraits taken of their children and loved ones, it goes without saying that this would be FOC but I'm in a bit of a quandary as to whether it should be done, do you think this is acceptable? I'm trying to put myself in the parents position (something I cannot imagine) and how I would feel if this was offered to me.

I hope this post has made sense and any advice would be appreciated.

 

[whitewash]

i suppose it all depends if they want to remember their child as they are now or as they were before they started getting ill etc

 

[hypnotic]

As long as this is approached in the right way I cannot see anyone objecting.

I lost someone close last year and would love to have had some decent photos to remember her by.

Go for it.

 

[Marcel]

I think its a lovely idea, but I can understand your concern.

I think if you got together with someone else, maybe some makeup etc for the girls, and turn it into a makeover shoot? Hairdresser etc.

I think it might really cheer the patients up, take their mind off their illnesses for a day, and you provide a long lasting memory?

 

[RobertP]

Very noble thought but I also wonder what effect it may have on you. Being so close you are bound to suffer the same emotions as those directly involved.

 

[Hacker]

i suppose it all depends if they want to remember their child as they are now or as they were before they started getting ill etc

That is one of my concerns as well.

I think if you got together with someone else, maybe some makeup etc for the girls, and turn it into a makeover shoot? Hairdresser etc.

Good idea Marcel, thanks.

Robert, thanks for that, I appreciate it.

I'll obviously talk to the staff first and take on board their opinions, they are the experts and have close contact with the families so they are probably best placed to advise.

 

[dazzajl]

I think it's a really lovely idea. Some people will want to and others wont but that shouldn't stop you doing it.

As long as it's offered to parents by someone other than yourself, they should feel comfortable enough to accept or decline as their feelings dictate.