Week 18/26: Sound #BWProject26 .
We first met Stuart almost 18 years ago. He is a wood turner and he was standing smiling in his booth at a craft show. His wife stepped up at once and explained that Stuart was deaf, so she showed us his work as he looked on, smiling at us and doing his best to chat. Stuart had not been born deaf but had worked as a pile driver for many years and the vibration and loud sounds had gradually eroded his hearing. His wife explained to me that when deafness is caused by noise levels, a hearing aid is not good, because it increases the sound level, which then continues to cause even more hearing loss.
We saw Stuart a few times over the years and he always remained apparently accepting of his condition, smiling when we complimented him on his work and talking about it animatedly. I since found out that he had to put up a fight to get his hearing loss accepted as being work related so that he could receive a disability pension, but he never let on to us about his discouragements or concerns, continuing to turn and produce the things he loved to make.
A few years ago, Stuart had a cochlear implant and, he was able to hear for the first time in years. It was at first a bit strange to be able to speak to him in a more or less normal voice and have him respond, but everyone was so happy for him that this treatment had helped him to hear again. At last we were able to really get to know him properly.
We were all at the annual Nova Woodturners Guild BBQ the other day, when I saw Stuart sitting there listening to the conversation with a little smile on his face in response to what was being said. Those of us with no experience of such impairment can have no idea of the pleasure he must get when he can sit and listen to a conversation going on around him again.
So Stuart is my model for 'Sound', the theme for this project this week.
My photographic posts are all on my blog : www.elliekennard.ca .
Curated by +Tisha Montgomery +Brandon Luk +Lauri Novak +Al Chris
#hqspportraits +HQSP Portraits curated by +Heiko Köster +Frank Nöthe
#portraitgallery +Portrait gallery by +Aamir Shahzad
#allthingsmonochrome +All Things Monochrome by +Charles Lupica, +Enrique Pelaez, +Brian Cox, +Dorian Stretton and +Bill Wood
#monochromeworld +Monochrome World by +andi rivarola
#hqspmonochrome +HQSP Monochrome curated by +Luis Vivanco S. +Оксана Крысюкова +Nader El Assy +Howard Salmon +tri rini nuringtyas and +Giuseppe Petruzzella
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Merci beaucoup +Sylvie Chanat !
Superbe photo !
+Ellie Kennard
My pleasure! 🙂
+Joseph Debattista Thanks a lot for the visit, Joseph. I appreciate the comment.
+Ursula Klepper thank you very much Ursula. I was glad to be able to take it and to tell the story.
+shasta davis thanks a lot, Shasta!
+Heiko Mahr Thanks so much Heiko. I look forward to seeing yours.
+Sue Harris Thanks a lot, for that thoughtful comment, Sue. I just felt that tone was better than the harshness of a straight black and white. They certainly have a wonderful attitude, he and his wife.
Perfect shot! ….and such a good positive story about Stuart!
very nice portraid of Stuart contemplating and also a very nice story in the background!
wonderful story and a great guy, thanks for sharing…:)
Gorgoues work +Ellie Kennard
with such a great story.
I really have to catch up with mine. Have been a bit lazy during my vacation..
What a heart warming and positive story +Ellie Kennard And a wonderful portrait that captures Stuart's gentle smile, the strength of character in his face and his quiet enjoyment of listening! (Really like the slightly warmer tone in the b&w – lovely!)
Thanks a lot +Linda Jess
+karin e – you are so right! Especially as he had been hearing before and lost it as an adult. Thanks very much.
Wonderful portrait! Those of us who have never suffered a hearing loss have no idea the difficulty those with a hearing impairment have in today's world. So glad he was able to get the cochlear implant! That hint of a smile just says it all.
Beautiful picture and you can see the contentment on his face. Great job
+Dylan Johnson it is heart warming, I agree.
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! So happy for him :)))
Thanks for the link, +Ellie Kennard. Impressive works, including Mr. Taylor's.
+Ellie Kennard
You are very welcome and Thank You for your support. We appreciate it, keep those great pictures coming, +Mark HELM and +Giselle Savoie
+Photo Mania Canada thank you so much for your reshare and your encouragement, +Giselle Savoie and +Mark HELM
+Robt. J. Moore II he has a piece in this exhibition, I think it's third in the slide show, made some years ago. Stuart L. Taylor is his name. http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/1304357-review-exhibit-offers-inspiring-examples-of-the-craft-of-woodturning
+Ellie Kennard? Did you happen to document Stuart's woodwork?
I wouldn't mind seeing some.
Congratulation +Ellie Kennard your photograph has been selected to be displayed at +Photo Mania Canada #photomaniacanada. Thank you for sharing your fantastic work us!
Have a great day! 🙂
+Giselle Savoie and +Mark HELM
+Robt. J. Moore II thank you very much.
He's got such gentle eyes. A fine photo to accompany this happy story!
Thanks a lot +Mike Kerr – I am so glad you like it.
+Beverly Everson thank you.
+Laura McLeod – I'm always happy to think I brought a smile to someone's face! Thanks so much.
Thanks +Ellie Kennard this story gave me a smile on a slow day at work. Love the picture 🙂
Great story!
I can't add anything others haven't said +Ellie Kennard, but thank you for the wonderful image, and story! Fabulous!
Thanks very much +Gernot Glaeser
Indeed +Leonardo Hervacio Arenas but a gentle fighter.
A wonderful portrait, +Ellie Kennard , and a touching story to go along with it!
Fighting man!
+Charles Lupica thanks so much and thank you also for the reshare.
+Ellie Kennard magnificent portrait and a heart warming story.
Thank you for that lovely comment, Margot +Margot M
touching story +Ellie Kennard and a wonderful portrait of a courageous man
Really lovely portrait +Ellie Kennard!
Thank you +Susanne Stelle – I will pass them on when I see him. I'm glad you liked it.
+Shelly Gunderson thanks a lot, Shelly.
+Rob Patterson you are most welcome, it was my pleasure and I'm glad you enjoyed it and like the photo.
+Ellie Kennard Wonderful story!! Thanks for sharing it. Love the photo, too! 🙂
Great story! Nice portrait!
What an amazing story. Best wishes to Stuart (and to you of course) +Ellie Kennard
great portrait and a wonderful touching story!
Thanks very much +Sumit Sen – we need some positive vibes these days.
What a wonderful post! Thanks!
That is a lovely observation, thank you, Byron – I am glad you like it. +Byron Sheldrick
wonderful on all fronts +Ellie Kennard. You can see the characteristics you describe in his face. Strength, determination, steadfastness.
Thanks a lot +Christina Lihani
Fantastic story +Ellie Kennard! Lovely photo as well!
Thanks a lot +David McLachlan – I was looking forward to hearing what you thought about it. We went to his open house the other day and I showed the photograph to his wife (is it Avis?) and explained what I planned to write. She was happy with it and said he would be delighted. This was one of the ones I showed you on that day. I felt it needed a bit of a tone, so not 'strictly' black and white. But I preferred it. Didn't know you were on G+ so will add you to my circles now.
+Thomas White – I can just imagine how difficult that would make a relationship. For both sides. I can see why this would have hit home with you.
Thank you so much +Childa Santrucek I'm glad you like it.
+Sandra Nesbit that is so true. Isolation because of disability is a terrible thing and those who bear it can often be examples to us of strength and courage. And hope, as you said. Thanks a lot
+Diana Boyd thank you very much Diana. I was glad I caught that look
Hi Ellie what a lovely photo , it truly captures Stuart, and I love your write-up. Well done !!!!!
what a great story and the portrait looks as though he is hearing a sound
Ellie, what a marvelous picture and story. Deafness can cause such isolation, partly because it gets tiring to try to engage when you know you're not really 'getting" what is being said. So, you end up with a lot of non-sequiturs and no little amount of embarrassment. Then there's Stuart who offers a lesson in hope and courage. So very very well done, Ellie. Thanks for posting this.
That's a truly heartwarming story to read! Wonderful portrait +Ellie Kennard
That's fantastic! My mother has been hard of hearing her whole life. It's been really hard to deal with at times!
Lovely picture
Thanks Lynn. Steven just pointed out (and I have edited the post to reflect what he said) that we were finally able to get to know Stuart once he could hear. +Lynn David Newton
What a great story, and the photo is terrific. Love the expression on his face: a man who is listening carefully.
Thanks a lot Alison! +Al Chris
I'm glad you liked it and thanks a lot +Liz C
Wonderful portrait and amazing story. Thank you!
Fascinating story paired with an excellent portrait… thank you +Ellie Kennard
Thanks very much Ann. I'm glad you enjoyed it. +Ann Kennedy
Marvelous explanation and great photo. All around great story!