Tobias has turned two years old !
I first met Tobias and his mum Katie Moss six months ago when he was nineteen months old … fifteen months after Meningococcal Disease irreparably and terrifyingly changed his little life.
Born to mum Katie and dad Steven, at just four months old Tobias was struck with the deadly disease. Within hours of the onset he had been flown from Cairns to Townsville Paediatric Hospital by helicopter, had both arms, both legs amputated and twice, very nearly, lost his life. The paediatric surgeon said it was the most severe meningococcal case he had seen.
I was introduced to Tobias and mum Katie at a Clifton Beach cafe by photographer colleague and friend of the family Renee Ping in early December. There I broached the idea of visually documenting Tobias’ circumstances to tell the story of the families emotional journey and the challenges they’ve had to overcome in the months since the onset of the disease.
Must admit I was captivated by little Tobias from that first meeting.
Two weeks later the family invited me to their home with my cameras. Coincidentally, Tobias, in the few days prior, had learnt to sit unaided for the first time. I was fascinated to watch and interact with Tobias to make many images … and it was truly inspiring to see how he was developing and learning to adapt without the use of limbs. Tobias can now gently grasp a ball, can burst a bubble, loves splashing in water … and much more. Most impressive was seeing his obvious thought processes on how to try and make things work.
Mother Katie, father Steven and Tobias’s siblings Zakoa, Hunter and Baylee form a remarkable team, brilliantly guiding and nurturing their little son and brother along a most difficult path. I am in awe …
With the pics safely on my laptop I put Katie in touch with gun Courier Mail specialist ‘health’ rounds journo Jackie Sinnerton for the pair to document the story and contacted the Sunday Mail picture editor with the news that I already had the images.
The result ? … a front page pictorial pointer to a nice double page spread story and pics inside, just before Christmas. The Sunday Mail publication played a significant part in raising funds for the purchase of a larger vehicle to transport the whole family to Tobias’ frequent necessary hospital appointments.
None of my images below here were selected in that original publication and have not been ‘seen’ before … so I thought it timely to celebrate Tobias’ third year on the planet by featuring here a few more pics made last December.
Tobias … you rock ! (Huge Thanks also to the whole inspiring family.)
Images © Brian Cassey
