Distance Between Us

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !8 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

I would like you to meet my brother. I have been drawn to photographing him for as long as I have been making pictures. "e time I spend with him, looking through my camera, has forced me to ask questions about su#ering and faith and why anyone is born with disability.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !8 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

I would like you to meet my brother. I have been drawn to photographing him for as long as I have been making pictures. "e time I spend with him, looking through my camera, has forced me to ask questions about su#ering and faith and why anyone is born with disability.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !"12 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

Nick has cerebral palsy. Making pictures has been a way for me to deal with the reality of having a twin brother who struggles through life in ways I do not.


Nick has cerebral palsy. Making pictures has been a way for me to deal with the reality of having a twin brother who struggles through life in ways I do not.




For Nick, that explosion came at birth.You can’t test for cerebral palsy. It’s less a defined condition than a set of symptoms, the aftershock of an explosion no one hears.

In Milford


For Nick, that explosion came at birth.You can’t test for cerebral palsy. It’s less a defined condition than a set of symptoms, the aftershock of an explosion no one hears.

In Milford


Nick likes going to the Orange Ale House. It’s a nothing little bar in a strip mall not far from the interstate. Some pool tables and dartboards, bar food and beer. Nick goes for the karaoke. When I can’t take him, he’ll call an old friend from high school or a taxi. He gets around pretty well for a guy who can’t drive.

On this Friday night, a beautiful woman comes up to him after he finishes singing a song and takes hold of his hands. “I like a man in a cowboy hat,” she says, “but where are your boots ?”

I can see him glancing at me furtively, though he manages to keep a big grin on his face. I’m only a few feet away, but in the weekend din I can’t hear much of their conversation. I scan the room, scan them. I know what Nick wants – I can hear him in my mind. Take the damn picture !

TAKE THE DAMN PICTURE !

But I don’t. I don’t want to ruin this normal and extremely fascinating moment he’s having. I don’t want her to be scared o# by the camera, so it stays at my side.

Nick keeps grinning. His voice cracks a little as he tells her, “My boots ? Uh, they’re at home, but I’ll wear them for you next time.” She smiles and says she’ll be waiting, then walks back to her circle of girlfriends. Nick walks over to me, and that grin continues to grow. “Need a beer ?” I gu#aw.

“I can’t believe you !” he yells over the next karaoke tune. “$e one time I want you to take a picture, you don’t do it.” I tell him it’ll be one of those moments in life that remains a sweet memory. “Enjoy it,” I tell him. “Enjoy THIS !”

He’s been at the Ale House on plenty of Fridays since then, and every time Nick’s worn his cowboy hat and his boots. But we’ve never seen her again.


Nick likes going to the Orange Ale House. It’s a nothing little bar in a strip mall not far from the interstate. Some pool tables and dartboards, bar food and beer. Nick goes for the karaoke. When I can’t take him, he’ll call an old friend from high school or a taxi. He gets around pretty well for a guy who can’t drive.

On this Friday night, a beautiful woman comes up to him after he finishes singing a song and takes hold of his hands. “I like a man in a cowboy hat,” she says, “but where are your boots ?”

I can see him glancing at me furtively, though he manages to keep a big grin on his face. I’m only a few feet away, but in the weekend din I can’t hear much of their conversation. I scan the room, scan them. I know what Nick wants – I can hear him in my mind. Take the damn picture !

TAKE THE DAMN PICTURE !

But I don’t. I don’t want to ruin this normal and extremely fascinating moment he’s having. I don’t want her to be scared o# by the camera, so it stays at my side.

Nick keeps grinning. His voice cracks a little as he tells her, “My boots ? Uh, they’re at home, but I’ll wear them for you next time.” She smiles and says she’ll be waiting, then walks back to her circle of girlfriends. Nick walks over to me, and that grin continues to grow. “Need a beer ?” I gu#aw.

“I can’t believe you !” he yells over the next karaoke tune. “$e one time I want you to take a picture, you don’t do it.” I tell him it’ll be one of those moments in life that remains a sweet memory. “Enjoy it,” I tell him. “Enjoy THIS !”

He’s been at the Ale House on plenty of Fridays since then, and every time Nick’s worn his cowboy hat and his boots. But we’ve never seen her again.


#at makes me cherish the time with him at home, when we’re in our normal routine, when we can try and forget about the doctors.We’ve been in and out of hospitals so much lately.

At home in Milford


#at makes me cherish the time with him at home, when we’re in our normal routine, when we can try and forget about the doctors.We’ve been in and out of hospitals so much lately.

At home in Milford

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !""132 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !""132 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !"#152 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

During a long stretch, somewhere in South Dakota, Nick asks if we can pull over. He wants to take a few pictures with his iPod, instead doing it from the passenger window. We must look silly to the other cars and

18-wheelers – Nick photographing the scenery, me running around pointing my camera at him.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US !"#152 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

During a long stretch, somewhere in South Dakota, Nick asks if we can pull over. He wants to take a few pictures with his iPod, instead doing it from the passenger window. We must look silly to the other cars and

18-wheelers – Nick photographing the scenery, me running around pointing my camera at him.

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Distance Between Us