For my personal study I am to going to explore the theme of liberation more in depth. Focusing on on critical illness and how cover coming it can be liberation but the scars and side effects still remain. I am going to be focusing my scoliosis spinal correction surgery and what like was like before and after. How i was given the chance a proper life with no limitation but how there actually are limitations side effects both psychological and physical. In 2014 I underwent spinal surgery to correct a curvature within my spine which was diagnosed as scoliosis. My spine was at a 70 degree curve meaning that my rib cage and internal organs were becoming severely affected by the curve. So, the doctors gave me the diagnosis that I was to have spinal correction surgery. This meant that I was to have two metal rods placed either side of my spine and twelve metal screws drilled into the spine so that it would not be able to go back to its original position. Unfortunately, as a result of this is that my spine is completely fused from T1 – L5 resulting in me having limited movement in my spine. So, all my movement comes from the top of my spine at Cervical vertebrae C1-C7 and the rest of the movement comes from the bottom of my spine at sacral vertebrae S1-S5. As you can see this serious limit the main areas for bending and twisting of my spine. After the operation I have been left with extreme pain as a result of extensive nerve damage in the lower portion as my spine causing me to rely on painkillers, physiotherapy. I don’t have a single day where i am not in pain. I want to document my hole experience to inspire others and so they know it not all bad. I have achieved many things after my spinal surgery despite my physical disadvantage. I am part of the island swim team and have gained national records and titles. Also I became a lifeguard and am currently training to be a swimming instructor. I want to show from this project how it dramatically affected my life but how i still got through it all.

I was to try speak to other people other people who have been through this same experience and trauma as me and get there personal recollections. I want to have casual interviews with them and tape the whole experience and uses some of the things they say in my photographs if that is writing over the images or incorporating in a photo montage. I don’t want it just to be about my experience I can to explore more how it effects people of all ages and how it impacts there life’s and how it is different and similar to mine.

Photo Shoot Ideas: 1. Body shoots looking at the damage to the body- Trying to do torso shots and then full body standing shots. I am going to do these of myself to start off with and then if i feel like it needs other people i will ask others but to start off i just want it to be about me.

2. Photographing medications and drugs that i have to take daily. I want to do it like a documentary kind of style. Almost like a day in the life of what i have to go through. Certain pills timings, pain relief jells that i have to put on my back.

3.Hobbies and occupations- swimming how it has been effected. Adaptions that have been put in place and how i have learned to overcome my disability. How other people judge me in a competitive scenario, being over looked.

4. Rehabilitation after my operation could be interesting to document. Looking at physiotherapy and pain management, how I have to go through abnormal processes to live day to day life as a normal person.

5. Archive photos- Images from before and after my surgery that help to document and tell my full story. I am going to as family and friends to see what images they have then I am going to take these edit them and with no doubt use them in my project.

Looking at archives medical records from the hospital. My first take is to contact the hospital where i had my surgery and try get all of the photos available like x-rays, documents, family shots e.g pics that my mum has of me before and after surgery.

I want to get family and friend to give there recollections of my operation what it was like from an outside perspective. Also looking at any images they have and seeing if i want to use them as archive material in my project.