http://www.taylorballek.com/colonville daily 0.75 2015-12-27 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a8544e4b0a5ba64ca906a/1430903973182/DSC_0421.JPG Colonville Daniel Hochstetler, owner of Colonville Country Store rings up two customers in Clare, MI on Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5680303d0ab37790ca598dfd/1430903973182/DSC_0421.JPG Colonville Daniel Hochstetler, owner of Colonville Country Store rings up two customers in Clare, MI on Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85d0e4b0a5ba64ca916c/1430903968290/DSC_0574.JPG Colonville A customer ties up his horse and buggy outside of Colonville Country Store in Clare, MI Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85c1e4b0a5ba64ca914d/1430903969029/DSC_0453.JPG Colonville Ida and Jacob Hochstetler look over the resale store they have on the property while a customer shops. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85c1e4b0a5ba64ca914c/1430903968686/DSC_0467.JPG Colonville John Hochstetler pushes a propane tank up onto a truck at the Colonville Country Store Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85cbe4b0a5ba64ca9166/1430903969259/DSC_0510.JPG Colonville Daniel Hochstetler, owner of Colonville Country Store, points out to a customer where they store their furniture on the property, on Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85c4e4b0a5ba64ca9152/1430903969249/DSC_0486.JPG Colonville Dan's older sons help a customer push a washer onto his truck at Colonville Country Store Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85dfe4b0a5ba64ca918b/1430903968951/DSC_0638.JPG Colonville Mary Hochstetler, sweeps up after a day of work in the Colonville Country Store, in Clare, MI, Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85cfe4b0a5ba64ca916a/1430903966390/DSC_0564.JPG Colonville Jacob Hochstetler, walks a minature horse around the parking lot of Colonville Country Store in Clare, MI on Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85d9e4b0a5ba64ca917f/1430903966150/DSC_0619.JPG Colonville Harley Bontrager, cashier at Colonville Country Store, plays the harmonica during a slow business day Oct. 27, 2012. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/514a8493e4b0a5ba64ca8e95/514a85dce4b0a5ba64ca9184/1451241533806/DSC_0628.JPG Colonville Jacob Hochstetler, stands behind the counter with his father as customers check out Oct. 27, 2012. http://www.taylorballek.com/home daily 0.75 2014-12-01 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/533a2520e4b0f7a008a64f80/547ca3fce4b0f8c45708240a/1417454661240/ Home https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/547ce12fe4b013dd142a0f17/1417454661240/ Home http://www.taylorballek.com/about daily 0.75 2019-03-05 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5c7ece569140b7803ecdf445/1551814240218/IMG_4532.jpg About http://www.taylorballek.com/new-gallery-1 daily 0.75 2019-05-18 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5cdf761efc145d0001edf2c9/1451455687678/ New Gallery Three people on the rooftop of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel look up as a firework goes off before the Grand Rapids Amway Family Fireworks show, Saturday July 4, 2015, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/54d3407de4b04ea9b3317926/1423131018106/Single_1.jpg New Gallery Ava Kinney, 4, asks her father Justin Kinney, 30, for a new coloring book at their home in Bridgeport, MI Oct. 15, 2014. “I love helping people; that’s what I am good at,” says Kinney. During the week Justin is a stay at home dad, and at night he works as a volunteer firefighter and runs a non-profit haunted house on the weekends. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/53da6e6ae4b0853b6efdc715/1406858760668/DSC_0169.jpg New Gallery Farwell, MI resident Logan Douglas, 16, climbs up on his "mud bogging" truck to fix the engine after getting stuck in the mud at Jarman’s Cattail Party property Friday Oct. 4, 2013. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/53d9b383e4b0eff5b69bb1cf/1423147300934/DSC_0937.jpg New Gallery A CMU police officer puts out a couch fire April 26, 2014 during a street riot as CMU students ran around the fire chanting “USA” at S Franklin and E Gaylord St. in Mount Pleasant, MI. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/54d2cc9de4b07d613e2ac7c6/1423148396808/DSC_4803_1.jpg New Gallery George Simos, 21, lays over Ricky Beaver, 28, after hitting him repeatedly in the face till blood fell from his nose during the Spyder Submission Fight League Event at the Midland Resort and Convention Center in Midland, MI Dec. 6, 2014. Simos won the fight for the 145lb Men's Division. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/55e9b73fe4b018cc4b5bb8a2/1451455687678/Fireworks_04.JPG New Gallery Three people on the rooftop of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel look up as a firework goes off before the Grand Rapids Amway Family Fireworks show, Saturday July 4, 2015, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/5681db52cbced618ba5d835c/1451455776341/Portfolio_26.JPG New Gallery Zeeland East's defensive lineman, Johnathan Berghorst, poses for a portrait, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Zeeland East's High School football stadium, in Zeeland, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/5c8039094785d395710cb562/1551907087611/Nurse_MidWife_26.JPG New Gallery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/5681d8084bf118cdfb925361/1451460407502/Portfolio_05.JPG New Gallery Marcae Ross, left, and her mother, Carol Ross, conversate while eating their ice cream cones from Pinkie's Ice Cream and Desserts at 1127 Wealthy Street SE, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/5681d802e0327c1884fbcad4/1472586987897/Portfolio_01.JPG New Gallery Reid Lathouwers measures a tree at Bosch's Choose & Cut Tree Farm to carry on their third year tradition of picking out a Christmas tree Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Allendale, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/557c411fe4b038712911c3b2/5c8046fb15fcc03c20bc0944/1551910658280/Mom_Daughter_SpaNight_32.JPG New Gallery http://www.taylorballek.com/the-common-thread-1 daily 0.75 2014-11-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd222e4b0be7909942a20/1416877595857/DSC_3911_1.jpg The Common Thread Shelley Bryant helps lead Rebecca Bryant’s horse, Darrenger, a 24 yr old Appaloosa Paint Mix, away from their dogs, Penny and Bear, Sept. 16, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5473d655e4b07dc0643a889c/1416877595857/DSC_3911_1.jpg The Common Thread Shelley Bryant helps lead Rebecca Bryant’s horse, Darrenger, a 24 yr old Appaloosa Paint Mix, away from their dogs, Penny and Bear, Sept. 16, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd23ae4b0be7909942a99/1416877607233/DSC_4980_1.jpg The Common Thread Shepherd, MI resident, Shelley Bryant, mother of Rebecca,12, (left) Lizzy, 20, Charliene, 17, and Ashleigh, 15, gather around in the kitchen before going to bed to share some laughs and spend some quality time together around everyone’s busy schedules of school and sports on Sept. 19, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd21de4b03b91fa85ce06/1416877615155/DSC_3980_1.jpg The Common Thread Rebecca Bryant, 12, mounts her horse, Darrenger, to practice getting her best speed time for upcoming 4H competitions, Sept. 16, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd22be4b0be7909942a58/1416877624631/DSC_4667_1.jpg The Common Thread Shelley Bryant drives the “ranger” into the fields behind her daughter Ashleigh, across from her home off of South Summer Rd. Sept. 17, 2014. “We like to take these back here and drive around and also check on our deer feeds that are growing for hunting season,” says Bryant. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd222e4b03b91fa85ce17/1416877633000/DSC_4317_1.jpg The Common Thread Shelley Bryant gives her daughter Ashleigh Bryant, 15, a hug and kiss good night before she goes off to bed, Sept. 16, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd22de4b03b91fa85ce4b/1416877644614/DSC_4641_1.jpg The Common Thread “We always have kittens running around everywhere. I usually sell them to anyone who wants one for a dollar so they don’t feel priceless,” explains Shelley Bryant, who holds one of the kittens in her hand Sept. 17, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd230e4b0304f0a9f88b8/1416877653336/ The Common Thread Rebecca Bryant, 12, searches for mascara, while mother, Shelley Bryant and sister, Ashleigh Bryant wait for her to make her decision in the Dollar General of Shepherd, MI Sept. 17, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd24de4b0be7909942adc/1416877485298/DSC_5332_1_1.jpg The Common Thread Shelley Bryant works out in the “softball/workout” barn at 6:30am before she takes her girls to school, Sept. 21, 2014. Ashleigh and Charliene are “softball freaks” as their father Jim explains, which is why he built this barn dedicated to the girls for practice. “I like working out in the barn in the mornings because at night I just get too tired after a long day of running around,” says Shelley. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546ccbb4e4b05d93ff945ecb/546cd23ae4b03b91fa85ce7d/1416877570752/DSC_5086_2.jpg The Common Thread Jim and Shelley Bryant kick back and relax after a busy day of operating their seeding business and taking their kids to and from all of their extracurriculars, Sept. 17, 2014. “She drives me crazy but I couldn’t be luckier than to have Shelley as my wife and mother of my children. She the common thread that holds this family together,” says Jim. http://www.taylorballek.com/photo-essays daily 0.75 2014-11-19 http://www.taylorballek.com/reckless-control daily 0.75 2017-03-30 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/58dd2733be65945ca2a3790a/1490888044252/ Reckless Control Detroit resident, Steve, 43, fills one of his cab driver's tires up with air before the driver's day of work begins, at Checkers Cab Company. “I started my cab company in 2010 with three cars out of my garage and because I was so successful with it they offered me a job. They gave me 30 cars and now I own the business,” Steve says. “I take home $2,400 a day now.” *Name changed for protection https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6c0e4b0a71378b51d57/1490888044252/TKB_4.jpg Reckless Control Detroit resident, Steve, 43, fills one of his cab driver's tires up with air before the driver's day of work begins, at Checkers Cab Company. “I started my cab company in 2010 with three cars out of my garage and because I was so successful with it they offered me a job. They gave me 30 cars and now I own the business,” Steve says. “I take home $2,400 a day now.” *Name changed for protection https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6dde4b0a71378b51dc3/1490888060282/TKB_12.jpg Reckless Control Steve walks outside of the Sunoco Gas Station after purchasing cigarettes and a bottle of coke for his boyfriend, Brian, on his way home from work. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6c3e4b00b74c5cb759a/1490888116604/TKB_5.jpg Reckless Control Steve counts his cash after his day of work at Checker Cab Company in downtown Detroit. "Depending on how much cash I make at work that week, depends on how much cash I can put towards buying drugs, basically," he explains. "My boyfriend Brian and I hardly even spend money on groceries. Most of it goes towards buying the meth." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6bce4b00b74c5cb7563/1490888126625/TKB_3.jpg Reckless Control Steve lights up his lighter under his crystal meth pipe to see how much is remaining before he gets high in the basement of his home. He's has been smoking crystal meth everyday, 3-4 times a day, for the past 5 years of his life, starting back in 2009. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6b3e4b00b74c5cb7523/1490888388943/TKB_1.jpg Reckless Control Steve laughs as his friend "Skippy" attempts to feed him pizza in the basement of his home at 6:30 a.m. He has to be at work within the hour. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6cde4b0a71378b51d85/1490888411455/TKB_8.jpg Reckless Control Steve has been dating his partner Brian for 14 years. At the age of 21, he was married from an arranged marriage. It ended 10 years later. From that marriage, Steve has two daughters who also work at Checkers Cab Company that are unaware of his relationship with Brian and unaware of his drug use. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6dce4b00b74c5cb7611/1490888420734/TKB_11.jpg Reckless Control Steve yells on the phone to a client while his daughter Mariella, 19, and her friend wait to go inside the house so they can pet his three dogs. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6c4e4b0a71378b51d59/1490888435355/TKB_6.jpg Reckless Control Steve starts to come down from his "swirl" as his friends argue around him about who will be driving them home from Club Gold Coast, a gay strip club, in Detroit. Every couple months they spend a couple thousand dollars on 40 gallons of GHB, a date rape drug when mixed with alcohol. They use it while partying and drink it when they smoke meth. Mixing crystal meth, GHB, and alcohol is referred to as “swirling” which creates a high that is euphoric but also can lead to intense anger or frustration. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6b4e4b0a71378b51d08/1490888466578/TKB_2.jpg Reckless Control Steve stands in the back room of his Cab Company, Checkers, with his business partner and best friend, Jeff, after smoking a pipe of crystal meth before a days work. "When I'm high, I feel 10 steps ahead of everyone else. I can do three to four things at once and not screw them up," Steve says. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6dbe4b0a71378b51dc1/1490888475456/TKB_10.jpg Reckless Control Steve gives his dog, Dagger, a kiss while his other dog, Aero, watches in the basement of his home. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6d2e4b00b74c5cb75dd/1490888485927/TKB_9.jpg Reckless Control Steve's boyfriend Brian, 27, sits at his cluttered desk after a long night of partying till 6:30 a.m., in the basement of their home. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5473d66ae4b088c2a6bfcd83/5473d6cbe4b00b74c5cb75ba/1490888499003/TKB_7.jpg Reckless Control Steve gets frustrated at work after being up for five days straight. He tries to figure out how much in loans his drivers owe him. “I’m much clearer when I am on meth," he says. "If Brian and I stay up too long and start to get messy, we tell one another when it is time to get some sleep."   http://www.taylorballek.com/the-common-thread daily 0.75 2015-12-27 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3734e4b03726164327e4/1416434567960/DSC_6230.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident Mariel Hernandez, 26, works out her back on a row machine during her final workout before her upcoming competition, Sept. 24, 2014 at Lifetime Fitness in Commerce, MI. “My workouts during training consist of and hour and a half of cardio and an hour and a half of weight training,” says Hernandez. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/568033d969492e5c0a28a6f4/1416434567960/DSC_6230.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident Mariel Hernandez, 26, works out her back on a row machine during her final workout before her upcoming competition, Sept. 24, 2014 at Lifetime Fitness in Commerce, MI. “My workouts during training consist of and hour and a half of cardio and an hour and a half of weight training,” says Hernandez. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3745e4b05d93ff92fe85/1416434614903/DSC_6695.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident, Brad Cauchi, 32, takes a look at his girlfriend, Hernandez’s spray tanned abdomen to see if it is dark enough for her competition the following day, Sept. 26, 2014, at their home in Livonia, MI. “It is important to get a really dark spray tan because once you are on stage at the competition, the lights are so bright and can wash you out. You want the judges to see all of your cuts and definition and the tanning helps,” explains Cauchi. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3740e4b0372616432814/1416434655153/DSC_6573.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident Mariel Hernandez, 26, looks for fake eyelashes with her friend Lucia Perez-Avila, 39, in prep for the next morning when they get their make-up and hair done before their competition, Sept. 26, 2014 at Wal-Mart in Livonia, MI. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3751e4b037261643283b/1416434646387/DSC_6935.JPG Ironwoman Hernandez gets ready backstage before the pre-judging competition, which helps judges to arrange the competitors into groups that will help them when making final decisions for the nighttime competition, Sept. 27, 2014 at U of M, Flint. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c374de4b037261643282e/1416434686598/DSC_6871.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident Mariel Hernandez, 26, high-fives her friend Lucia Perez-Avila, 39, after their last spray tan session, just an hour before the competition, Sept. 27, 2014 at Powerhouse Gym in Fenton, MI. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3748e4b0f37a2608f1a7/1416434681503/DSC_6806.JPG Ironwoman Livonia, MI resident Mariel Hernandez, 26, looks into the mirror for any final touches after getting her hair and make-up done Saturday morning at 4:30am before having to leave for Flint to get one last coat of spray tan and check-in for the competition, Sept. 27, 2014 in Livonia, MI. “It takes a lot of sacrifices. Your sleep, not eating food that you like, not attending social events, being on the go the whole time, but it is so worth it. For me it keeps me on my toes and proves to myself that I can do it.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3759e4b05d93ff92fec2/1416434367929/DSC_7153.JPG Ironwoman Hernandez stands before the judges as they place her in the number one spot for ‘figure short’ group during the pre-judging of the Great Lakes Ironman, Sept. 27, 2014 at U of M, Flint. “Coming out on stage and hearing my family and friends yell my name is my favorite part of the show; puts a big smile on my face,” says Hernandez. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c374ee4b0f37a2608f1b3/1416434409425/DSC_6904.JPG Ironwoman Shelby Township resident, Justine Elian, 29, takes a selfie with her friends, Lucia Perez-Avila, 39, and Mariel Hernandez, 26, before they go backstage to get ready for pre-judging at the Great Lakes Ironman competition Sept. 27, 2014 at U of M, Flint. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c3759e4b0372616432846/1416434716083/DSC_7272.JPG Ironwoman Hernandez takes a minute to laugh and be excited about a successful prejudging while out for lunch between competitions with her sister Claudia, 22, her mother Claudia, and her mother’s boyfriend of six years, Kevin Trealout at “The Laundry” cafe Sept. 27, 2014, in Fenton, MI. “My family had a hard time understanding since they are not into this kind of lifestyle. With their support or not, I decided I would do this for myself. The more I do it the more they support and understand my lifestyle decision. My mom and sister were both really proud of me on the day of competition,” explains Hernandez. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546c3539e4b0f54deccbc3e7/546c373ee4b05d93ff92fe76/1416434551454/DSC_6329.JPG Ironwoman Hernandez takes a quick break after her intense abdomen circuit during her final workout before her upcoming competition, Sept. 24, 2014 at Lifetime Fitness in Commerce, MI. "Living a healthy life makes me feel good, confident and stay on a schedule. I have realized that the discipline required in this has helped me be more organized in all areas of my life,” says Hernandez. http://www.taylorballek.com/new-gallery daily 0.75 2020-03-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5e7acc29864e9b0fbed60baf/1416873767658/ Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, 51, commonly know as "Sicilian Joe" on the streets, waits for a bus to come on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. Mullin takes a bus when he can afford it, in order to get to Frank's Party Store in downtown Grand Rapids to buy alcohol. "I'm not going to lie. When I get a lick (money), I use it to go buy a drink and then use the remainder for food," explains Mullin. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd608e4b03de55206c586/1416873767658/DSC_2166_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, 51, commonly know as "Sicilian Joe" on the streets, waits for a bus to come on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. Mullin takes a bus when he can afford it, in order to get to Frank's Party Store in downtown Grand Rapids to buy alcohol. "I'm not going to lie. When I get a lick (money), I use it to go buy a drink and then use the remainder for food," explains Mullin. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd5f8e4b03de55206c523/1416857985647/DSC_2140_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, 51, stands on the side of the 131 highway exit ramp with a sign that reads "Homeless, Hungry, and Disabled," in hopes of getting some money to buy alcohol in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov.17, 2014. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/547397bee4b02494ba93da60/1416861672872/DSC_2057_2.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, 51, stands outside God's Soup Kitchen in search for the "cigarette guy" who rolls cigarettes and sells them for cheap on the streets of Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. "We have a good community out here. A lot of us try to have one another's back. We have to," says Mullin. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd600e4b03de55206c564/1416856561425/DSC_2158_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, crutches away from the Shell Gas Station after being rejected for asking to get change for a ten dollar bill in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. "I can't imagine she doesn't have change in her register for a ten dollar bill. It doesn't bother me though; I know I'm the prettiest face in the sea," says Mullin. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd5e2e4b03de55206c4c6/1585105961152/DSC_2069_2.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Kimberly Vanderiest, 51, and Joe Mullin, 51, kiss outside of God's Soup Kitchen in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. Vanderiest and Mullin have been dating for just under 7 years. Vanderiest lives in an apartment through an outreach program, while Mullin lives on the streets and stays in shelters at night. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd5d2e4b03de55206c464/1416863008064/DSC_1799_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Kim Vanderiest, 51, and her boyfriend, Joe Mullin, 51, sit down for a meal at God's Kitchen, a soup kitchen in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. Vanderiest and Mullin usually see each other once a day for a meal or a cup of coffee before parting separate ways. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/54e4fc3ae4b04479e2cf37d2/1424293071037/DSC_1650_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Kimberly Vanderiest, 51, walks up the front steps of her apartment building after having lunch with her boyfriend, Joe, at 72 Sheldon Ferguson Apartments, in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 16, 2014. "I wish he had a form of identity so that he could stay inside and live with me," says Vanderiest. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/5473a7c4e4b07d2c7847a8aa/1416865761334/DSC_1656_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Kimberly Vanderiest keeps drawings and little notes that Joe has given her on her dresser mirror. "I put them on my mirror so I can see them everyday and think of how much he loves me. I keep every single thing he has given me and thank God everyday to have him in my life," says Vanderiest. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/546cd5c4e4b03de55206c433/1416865461789/DSC_1710_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Kimberly Vanderiest, 51, crochets a blanket in her room to pass the time, in her apartment at Ferguson Apartments, in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 16, 2014. "I picked up crochet to keep my hands busy and to help calm my nerves before going to sleep at night. I pray and worry constantly about Joe. I don't want him to die out there from being drunk and in the cold," says Vanderiest. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cd303e4b05a70ad836bdb/54738b64e4b0604ca3134705/1416858653228/DSC_2101_1.jpg Finding Him | Loving Her Joe Mullin, 51, walks across the street to stand on the side of Highway 131 exit ramp, in sixteen degree weather, to hold a sign in hopes to get some money, in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. "This location is where I get the most licks (money). Usually I get something within thirty minutes, to an hour. This cold weather just gets harder and harder to stand out in with my arthritis," says Mullin. http://www.taylorballek.com/resume daily 0.75 2015-02-18 http://www.taylorballek.com/singles-2 daily 0.75 2019-05-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5ce0b93bb43da20001fe7f29/1451455712790/ Singles An elderly woman accidentally drove her vehicle through a fence and into a Wyoming resident's pool while at the CVS pharmacy window Sunday, May 24, 2015, off 28th St. in Wyoming, MI. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5564b353e4b09f570191a306/1451455712790/An+elderly+woman+drives+car+into+pool+behind+CVS+on+28th+St.+16.JPG Singles An elderly woman accidentally drove her vehicle through a fence and into a Wyoming resident's pool while at the CVS pharmacy window Sunday, May 24, 2015, off 28th St. in Wyoming, MI. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5681d810e0327c1884fbcb33/1451455704703/Portfolio_09.JPG Singles Freeport resident, Maya Esparza-Siegers, stands by the entrance of the Jenison Center for the Arts, with a sign during a peaceful protest towards owner of Dieseltec, Brian Klawiter's event to discuss "the true state of the Union" Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the Jenison Center for the Arts, to speak openly about his views and other issues, in Jenison, Mich. Klawiter's controversial Facebook post in April, that stated openly gay people aren't welcome to Dieseltec, and homosexuality is "wrong" has brought the community together to take a stand and protest for equality. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5c8038e30d929727ce420e90/1558231219792/Mistha_Jackson_22.JPG Singles Mistha Jackson is already a survivor at the age of 2. In October 2015, Widline and Julius Jackson welcomed into the world their first child, a healthy, 8-pound baby girl. Two months later a pediatric oncologist diagnosed her witha rare disease called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The inherited condition causes the body’s immune system to go into overdrive, creating inflammation and damaging the tissues and organs of the body. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5ce0b57dfc145d0001f71c54/1558231350293/Nurse_MidWife_14.JPG Singles Brandy Harris gives birth to her daughter Alexis. “You are so pretty,” she says. “Mama loves you so much.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5681d802df40f38ac4300dcf/1451460318019/Portfolio_02.JPG Singles A group of children ranging in age from 5-years-old to 15-years-old, play musical instruments outside the DeVos Place, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5cdf769eb6e19700012d01d0/1558230323926/Candus_Jones_01.JPG Singles Candus Jones, 34, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or CIDP. "It means my body is attacking the nerves in my spine as if they are a foreign body," Jones said. For six months, she had gradually lost control of her hands and feet. Mysterious, stabbing pains struck her arms and legs. The disease causes progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the arms and legs. Her doctors consulted one another and decided that Jones should try IV steroids. She quickly dubbed it "my super juice." Jones began walking and regaining strength. “I’m from a long line of cast-iron skillet women. I refuse to let life knock me down,” said Jones. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/56295711e4b0b2964adbf137/1451460443041/March_20.JPG Singles Jacqueline Thompkins does her granddaughter's hair, Dakari Thomkins, 8-years-old, during a gathering after an organized march in response to the spike in violence on the city's southeast side, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at Franklin Street and Eastern Avenue SE, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Jacqueline's son and Dakari's father, Darryl Thompkins, is pictured in a photo on a sign, far left, to be remembered after being murdered at 19-years-old, outside Brick Bar in 2007. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5cdf7ce8c61c1200016bd845/1558231355910/Michael_Sprik_02.JPG Singles Michael Sprik, 11, was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, which affects the cranial bones. He soon would be having surgery to reshape his left ear and also take fat tissue and inject under his eye for a more well-rounded face. “I just want to be able to fit earbuds in my ears so I can play video games and listen to music,” said Sprik. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/56836ddb69492e9cac5c25bb/1472586988095/ Singles Walker Police cover the deceased body of an 84-year-old man after he was struck and killed while attempting to cross Wilson Avenue Tuesday evening, Dec. 29, 2015, in Walker, Mich. The 19-year-old driver attempted to stop, but could not avoid striking the man. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/570fecd61bbee07b3cd779b7/1558147526809/Derby_01.JPG Singles Camilla Skog, derby name "Jollywood" (47) kisses her girlfriend and teammate Monica Kristoffersen, derby name "Yoshibitchu" (113) from Norways' Nidaros Roller Derby in the the locker room before playing Grand Raggidy Roller Derby Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Rivertown Sports in Grandville, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5681dce6c647ad3ec0b1db5f/1558147527153/Portfolio_13.JPG Singles Fans gather to watch an all-star game featuring Draymond Green, former MSU star with the world champion Golden State Warriors, as well as many other former MSU Spartan players, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf100e4b0098b361952ce/5681d80de0327c1884fbcb2c/1472586988062/Portfolio_07.JPG Singles A member of the Patriot Guard Motorcade rides his motorcycle with police and fire agencies to raise the flag in honor of Wounded Warriors, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. http://www.taylorballek.com/portraits daily 0.75 2019-05-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5ce0b52376d11a000136cd93/1451360850208/ Faces Detroit resident, John Taylor, holds his birthday balloons while posing for a portrait in Greektown after Niki's Lounge threw him a surprise party for his 53rd birthday, Friday Sept. 4, 2015, in Detroit, Mich. Taylor is a loyal and regular customer at Niki's Lounge. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db57b204d5635669eaaa/1451360850208/Portfolio_27.JPG Faces Detroit resident, John Taylor, holds his birthday balloons while posing for a portrait in Greektown after Niki's Lounge threw him a surprise party for his 53rd birthday, Friday Sept. 4, 2015, in Detroit, Mich. Taylor is a loyal and regular customer at Niki's Lounge. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5774364c15d5db403bcb08e3/1467234065415/FredNelis_+09.JPG Faces Holland resident Fred Nelis, 61-years-old, will be competing in the Transplant Games, an Olympic-style competition for post-transplant patients in Cleveland, Ohio, with a 32-year-old heart. "This is the first time I'm going to race with the two of us," said Nelis. "I've trained and gotten stronger, but this is the first time I'm going to race with my donor and me." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/55e9e69fe4b0a7ade6f88aeb/1484343751598/EddieAdams_TB01.JPG Faces Joe Mullin, 51, commonly know as "Sicilian Joe" on the streets, waits for a bus to come on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids, MI, Nov. 17, 2014. Mullin takes a bus when he can afford it, in order to get to Frank's Party Store in downtown Grand Rapids to buy alcohol. "I'm not going to lie. When I get a lick (money), I use it to go buy a drink and then use the remainder for food," Mullin says. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db52c21b868c6d2e9858/1451460592150/Portfolio_25.JPG Faces Andrew Perry, dressed as Star Wars' "Princess Leia", waits for his wife outside the women's restroom during Grand Rapids 2015 Comic-Con festival Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. "My wife is dressed as Han Solo because we don't believe in gender roles," says Perry.   https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5879471415d5dba96cf24619/1558229694280/Diana_Santiago_09.JPG Faces Grand Rapids resident, Diana Santiago, 57, crashed her bicycle three years ago. She suspected something might be wrong. Soon after she began to lose her vision and coordination. "It would be like my eyes would go cross-eyed, then they would fix," Santiago said. "Then it got to the point where they stayed that way permanently." Her 12-year-old bearded dragon, Sassy, gave her comfort when she wasn't able to see. "I would be crawling around on all fours feeling around my home until I found her," Santiago said. "I wanted her to know I wasn't neglecting her just because mama couldn't see her." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/570feb1760b5e9c07a367339/1460661117567/TRUMP_01.JPG Faces Andrew Emory and his wife Machelle Emory hold signs in support of Donald Trump for president during the rally at the Wexford County Civic Center Friday, March 4, 2016 in Cadillac, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db60c21b868c6d2e98bf/1451460603752/Portfolio_29.JPG Faces Muskegon resident, Geanne Johnson, stands outside the Wealthy Theatre after the 2015 Mayoral Debate, Wednesday, July 14, 2015, at the Wealthy St. Theatre in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db57c21b868c6d2e9885/1451460612842/Portfolio_28.JPG Faces World War II Veteran Steve Van der Weele, 95-years-old, reflects on his day in Washington, DC representing the Army for the wreath-laying ceremony at the annual Veterans Day commemoration at the National World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at his home in SE Grand Rapids, Mich. "It was the best day of my life," explains Van der Weele. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5879467c59cc684437305ce9/1484344475529/TerriPrice_01.JPG Faces As a certified community health worker with the Spectrum Health Healthier Communities team, Terri Price, dedicates her time to working with women and children in medically underserved populations in Kent County, Michigan. The list of issues Price faces with her clients is long: mental health, homelessness, day care, breastfeeding, dental care, job hunting, education, transportation, food assistance, Medicaid, doctor visits, birth control. Always ready with a hug, Price is an upbeat presence wherever she goes. "You see a lot," Price said. "Every case is different. And that's the beauty of it, too —you see all the variety." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/58794e00e58c6250be56547f/1490888880815/Mammogram_04_1.jpg Faces 2012 Ms. Wheelchair California Mary Zendajas, 45, knew when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer last February that she could possibly be next. When Ms. Wheelchair America organization sent out an email that Spectrum Health would offer mammogram screenings for contestants during the week of Ms. Wheelchair America pageant in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she knew she needed to get screened. "My sister was sadly, or maybe fortunately, diagnosed early," Zendajas said. "But it has taken a toll on our family and has switched my mind to be more proactive and share the importance of having a mammogram for all women." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db9cb204d5635669ec81/1451460623089/ Faces Deb VanderHoff, member of the Patriot Guard Motorcade, bows her head in prayer after police and fire agencies raise the flag to honor Wounded Warriors, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/55e9dd24e4b0b628d0ff12f9/5681db62b204d5635669eaee/1484343804191/Portfolio_30.JPG Faces Ada Township Fire Chief David Murray speaks with media after putting out a fire that the homeowner said started from a smoldering dish towel during a dinner party Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at Hoag Avenue NE in Grand Rapids Township, Mich.     http://www.taylorballek.com/a-rich-life daily 0.75 2015-05-22 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/555fa085e4b0c424d162aa49/555fa0b4e4b0c0ea1af8eab8/1432330478088/ A Rich Life - A Rich Life https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/555fa0eee4b086159c397a1a/1432330478088/ A Rich Life - A Rich Life http://www.taylorballek.com/any-given-moment-1 daily 0.75 2014-11-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/546cf41be4b05ac11071d0d9/547423f0e4b0e110a616c180/1416897543292/ Any Given Moment - Any Given Moment https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/54742407e4b06a6fa45b71e1/1416897543292/ Any Given Moment - Any Given Moment http://www.taylorballek.com/sports daily 0.75 2019-05-18 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5c7eecce1905f4eddce5c6e1/1451460723300/ Sports Grand Rapids Griffins' Colin Campbell (45) fights with Charlotte Checkers’ Keegan Lowe (4) during the third period of the game Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dce657eb8d0dbade13a7/1451460723300/Portfolio_12.JPG Sports Grand Rapids Griffins' Colin Campbell (45) fights with Charlotte Checkers’ Keegan Lowe (4) during the third period of the game Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dcee57eb8d0dbade13e1/1451460760826/Portfolio_16.JPG Sports Ryan Nibbelink, 14-years-old, finishes first for the first heat of runners to go through the course, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, during the Eat Dirt Mud Run at Kentwood Community Church in Kentwood, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dcf457eb8d0dbade140d/1451460768392/Portfolio_21.JPG Sports Grand Rapids' FC Kosti Moni (31), starts a fight on the field, Friday, July 3, 2015, during the first half of the game against RWB Adria of Chicago at the Houseman Field in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dcf1c647ad3ec0b1dbce/1451460752074/Portfolio_18.JPG Sports Lowells' Max Bishop (77), gives his grandmother, Elinor Bishop, a cancer survivor of kidney and breast cancer, a kiss after walking her on the field to be honored during Lowell's annual Pink Arrow Game against Jenison High School Wildcats, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at Lowell High School in Lowell, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dcf757eb8d0dbade142f/1451460786062/Portfolio_23.JPG Sports Grand Rapids Unions' head coach Brandoen Guyton dances in the locker room with his team after the win against NorthPointe Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at Grand Rapids NorthPointe High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dce857eb8d0dbade13bc/1451460848314/Portfolio_14.JPG Sports Cross country teams gather from all around state to compete in The Sparta Invitational Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at Sparta Middle School, in Sparta, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dced57eb8d0dbade13df/1451460856902/Portfolio_15.JPG Sports Hudsonvilles' Cooper Cecchini (11) attempts to catch a pass during the first half of the OK Red Conference game against Grandville Bulldogs at Grandville High School Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, in Wyoming, Mich. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/562955b0e4b065f044bc0ac9/5681dcfac647ad3ec0b1dbfa/1451460864685/Portfolio_24.JPG Sports The sun sets over Fifth Third Ballpark as Northview High School football team takes on Forest Hills Eastern High School Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, at Fifth Third Ballpark, in Comstock Park, Mich. http://www.taylorballek.com/home-1 daily 0.75 2017-03-31 http://www.taylorballek.com/resume-1 daily 0.75 2015-12-30 http://www.taylorballek.com/naomis-birthright daily 1.0 2017-03-30 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/58dd24f4bebafb06e99a6ec4/1490887511774/ Naomi's Birthright Naomi Wilke, 7, has spent most of her childhood growing up and playing in the clear blue water of Torch Lake. When a blood test revealed she had two types of leukemia, she had to trade her Northern Michigan home for a hospital room in Grand Rapids, 160 miles away. "Torch Lake is her birthright," Naomi's mother, Donna Norton, said. "This is our home." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22bfe6f2e19e0fd7c197/1490887511774/NaomiWilkePortfolio__01.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi Wilke, 7, has spent most of her childhood growing up and playing in the clear blue water of Torch Lake. When a blood test revealed she had two types of leukemia, she had to trade her Northern Michigan home for a hospital room in Grand Rapids, 160 miles away. "Torch Lake is her birthright," Naomi's mother, Donna Norton, said. "This is our home." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22bf893fc0b962fee958/1490887525385/NaomiWilkePortfolio__02.jpg Naomi's Birthright Donna paces back and forth in Naomi's hospital room while she sleeps. Of all children over the age of 1 who have leukemia, only 3 percent face having two different forms at the same time. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c1e6f2e19e0fd7c19c/1490887541452/NaomiWilkePortfolio__03.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi sits outside of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital while getting a chemo treatment and eating ice cream. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c2893fc0b962fee99c/1490887558977/NaomiWilkePortfolio__04.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi's mother, Donna Norton, lies on a bed across from Naomi while they wait for her radiation treatment. The stresses and worries of life had been weighing down heavy on Donna, keeping her awake at night. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c4e6f2e19e0fd7c1d8/1490887572801/NaomiWilkePortfolio__05.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi fixates her eyes at the make-up isle in the pharmacy while Donna waits to pick up some of her medicine. She pleads with her mother in hopes she will buy her some, but she tells her she is still too young. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c4893fc0b962fee9a1/1490887594314/NaomiWilkePortfolio__06.jpg Naomi's Birthright Donna talks on the phone with a pharmacist about one of Naomi's medications. They stay at the Renucci House which is apartment style living connected to the hospital for a low cost for families who are far from home. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c7893fc0b962fee9f0/1490887620496/NaomiWilkePortfolio__07.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi lays in her hospital bed, bundled up in blankets and surrounded by stuffed animals. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22c8e6f2e19e0fd7c21e/1490887676202/NaomiWilkePortfolio__08.jpg Naomi's Birthright Donna prays for Naomi with Rev. Gloria Kroeze, a Spectrum Health chaplain. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22ca893fc0b962fee9fc/1490887679956/NaomiWilkePortfolio__09.jpg Naomi's Birthright Levi Cafferman, 2, visits Naomi's door to see if she can come out to play. Naomi has to stay in her room in isolation to keep her immune system healthy and free of disease to avoid complications for her bone marrow transplant. Levi is also being treated for acute myeloid leukemia. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22cb59cc685d7c61fdf5/1490887692015/NaomiWilkePortfolio__10.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi charges her IV pole battery in the wall before she can play with her friends. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22cde6f2e19e0fd7c265/1490887746673/NaomiWilkePortfolio__11.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi climbs on her mom while they play together. "We made a lot of good friends and met a lot of good people," Donna says. "You have to find the good in every situation, or it will control you." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22cd893fc0b962feea3f/1490887742427/NaomiWilkePortfolio__12.jpg Naomi's Birthright “She’s one of the best kids I’ve ever met,” Donna says. “She has never complained about this. She does everything she’s asked to do, even if she doesn’t like it.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22cf893fc0b962feea45/1490887760167/NaomiWilkePortfolio__13.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi scrunches her face as her mother Donna and Sharon Potter, the owner of Salon Nouveau, whom delivered her wig made of donated human hair from the charity Children with Hair Loss, fit it on her head. After a long day of chemo and pain from a recent bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap, Naomi was too tired to show her excitement for her new hair. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22cfe6f2e19e0fd7c26d/1490887778747/NaomiWilkePortfolio__14.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi went through two months of isolation after getting her bone marrow transplant and now she is making her own platelets and doing well each and every day. She presses the level C button in the elevator to get her broviac port taken out. It will be the last time she will have to go to that floor. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d1d1758edf848c739a/1490887834345/NaomiWilkePortfolio__15.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi holds her grandpa Ken's hand while they sedate her for the last time to take her broviac port out. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d2e6f2e19e0fd7c2b0/1490887849307/NaomiWilkePortfolio__16.jpg Naomi's Birthright Ulrich Duffner, MD, Naomi's pediatric blood and marrow transplant specialist, laughs with her during one of her last regular appointments before going home. “She is resilient,” Dr. Duffner says. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d5e6f2e19e0fd7c2b8/1490887867206/NaomiWilkePortfolio__17.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi spent close to 11 months away from her home in Torch Lake battling not one, but two forms of cancer. Now, she is home, her hair is starting to grow back, restrictions are starting to be lifted and she is getting her life back. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d5893fc0b962feeabb/1490887882213/NaomiWilkePortfolio__18.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi points to a side of a wall in her grandparent's home where her and her siblings heights are listed throughout the years. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d8e6f2e19e0fd7c327/1490887909389/NaomiWilkePortfolio__19.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi sits on a the couch with her grandpa and reads him a book while Donna hands her son Kenny, 2, a book. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/58db20a137c581df057fe2ba/58dd22d8893fc0b962feeaca/1490887924462/NaomiWilkePortfolio__20.jpg Naomi's Birthright Naomi no longer has to drag an IV pole around. She can ride freely on her bike while her new hair blows in the wind. Cancer is becoming a thing of the past and being a kid is now Naomi's present plan. http://www.taylorballek.com/the-man-i-was-meant-to-be daily 0.75 2019-05-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/t/5ce0af677c744f0001888318/1558211858986/ The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau VanSolkema has always envisioned himself being a father or a husband to someone. Even if the rest of the world saw him as a mother or wife. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800cd615fcc01b3e0e6d37/1558211858986/Beau_06.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau VanSolkema has always envisioned himself being a father or a husband to someone. Even if the rest of the world saw him as a mother or wife. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e7e7817f77dafe5df53/1558213814648/Beau_07.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be By his teen years, he identified as a lesbian. Through therapy and advocacy work, he came to realize he was transgender. “I was born Sarah,” he said. “I’m not going to change those moments, nor would I try.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800da41905f4f126002767/1558213795639/Beau_03A.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Before surgery, patients receive counseling for gender dysphoria—a term that encompasses the distress they feel over the mismatch between their identities and their bodies. They obtain letters of support from mental health professionals. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800a01971a187057128c46/1551895711503/Beau_01.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800ceef9619a1205740b46/1558215189842/Beau_04.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be The practice manager for advanced breast care, who also leads the Healthy Pride Inclusion Resource Group at Spectrum Health asked Paul Wright, MD, if he would consider performing mastectomies for transgender patients. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800d7a104c7b35360fc92c/1558215189854/Beau_08.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be "It's about matching your inside to the outside," Beau said. "I'm a 38 triple-D, so it's hard to hide." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800d88104c7b35360fca36/1558215190251/Beau_11.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Dr. Wright agreed to perform the operations after he researched the technical aspects involved. “I realized it’s not that much different from a traditional mastectomy for breast cancer,” he said. “it has been tremendously rewarding to be part of these surgeries (for transgender patients). It’s really life-changing for them. It’s something a lot of these patients have been struggling with, in how they view their body and their self-esteem, for a long time.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800dae53450ac92ef6d3a8/1558215190192/Beau_10.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be In the four-hour procedure, Dr. Wright removed breast tissue. At several points in the operation, he had VanSolkema raised to a seated position, as he does with all mastectomy patients, to see if he needed to remove more tissue or skin. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e346e9a7f5a2f9f78d4/1558215190120/Beau_13A.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau felt transformed after his surgery. “I don’t even have words for it,” he said. “I can definitely say my insides are matching my outsides more and more.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e3bf9619a1205741fe9/1558215190166/Beau_15.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Dr. Wright removes the binder for the first time to see how Beau’s chest is healing. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e4908522987f5cc4fea/1558215190098/Beau_17.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau looks at himself for the first time without breasts. “For the first time in my life, I can exhale—not just breathe to live, but to really let it out, because my autonomy in many ways is complete. I’m not just breathing and existing in a body I never requested.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e42104c7b35360fd646/1558215190138/Beau_16A.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be A tattoo on Beau’s arm reads "where there's a dream, there's a chance." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5ce078c76422980001db9c26/1558228736660/Beau_18.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau studies in his apartment before his finals begin at Grand Valley State University. He is studying to become a social worker to eventually help LGBTQ people. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800d9e8165f578a3fd398e/1558228742402/Beau_21.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Before beginning the transition from female to male, he told his mother about his decision. It was December 2015, and she was fighting the uterine cancer that would claim her life a month later. She told him, “No matter what you do in this world and your life, I’m always going to love you.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800cb70d929786985d1bc0/1558228756314/Beau_23.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be “I’m really happy,” he said as he recovered from the surgery. There’s definitely a smile on my face that has lasted for days.” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/514a7132e4b0896b36356309/5c8009adeef1a15f667af325/5c800e69e5e5f0c2a45ba599/1558228839374/Beau_22.jpg The Man I Was Meant To Be Beau continues to advocate for trans people and shares his story to inform trans people that they are not alone and that they have options within the community. “I feel more comfortable,” he said. “There’s a little difference in confidence I’ve noticed. I definitely feel more like Beau and the man I know I was born to be.”