By Michael Prince, Photographer
Through my camera’s lens, I’ve seen a little bit of everything. I’ve worked in China, India, Africa, South America and Europe. I’ve photographed an auto factory in Argentina, a rice paddy in India, a waterfall in Costa Rica and a malaria clinic in Zambia. I’ve taken pictures of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Oprah and, yes, Justin Beiber.
But by far the most intense and emotionally challenging project I’ve ever done was the 19 days I spent at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
After spending months in the hospital, Mya knew all about each of her wires and its function.
I saw chemotherapy infusions. Scars, casts, tears and tubes. Lots of wires. Kids going home, and kids coming in. In my whole life, I’d only ever known two kids who got seriously sick. It was shocking to see a whole hospital full of them. The first couple of days were really tough, and tears were shed. But then something pretty cool happened; I was able to see beyond their hardship and just look at them as kids. I joked around like I always do, and got them to laugh for a bit, and maybe even forget they were sick for a little while. It was great.
From the cafeterias to the nurses’ stations, I met people I’ll never forget. Doctors. Paramedics. School teachers. Nurses. Among the patients was one who really stood out: 3-year-old Mya with blonde hair, blue eyes and wisdom better suited for someone 10 times her age. When we met, she looked right at me and said, “My heart is broken, and I’m waiting for my new one to come in the mail.” In other words, she needed a heart transplant. And soon.
As she showed me her wires—this goes here, this does that, that does this—I was amazed by her medical vocabulary. I’ll never forget Mya’s voice, face or patient room. The walls were plastered with hundreds of cards, and well-worn toys were everywhere. Mya was not a visitor; she lived here.
As I reviewed the thousands of photos from the multi-week shoot, Mya stood out. Her curiosity and strength—I never saw a single tear—came to life, even in photographs.
As I moved onto other projects in new cities with new subjects, my mind often turned to Mya. What had become of the sharp, young girl who was waiting for a new heart “to come in the mail?” I later learned that—after living in the hospital for almost half the year—Mya received a successful heart transplant and was doing very well…at home. The best news.
Michael is married with two children and resides in Boston.
One day in March, I got a call from Children’s. The photos I’d taken of Mya had inspired Children’s to bring Mya’s spirit to life in the form of a TV commercial. This strong but fragile child perfectly embodied everything I’d experienced at Children’s. She was the perfect person to portray the spirit of Children’s.
These days, I’m hugging my children a little tighter. And, sometimes, when I put something “in the mail,” I think of the amazing little girl who has touched more lives than she or her family will ever know.
We met Mya at Children’s, June 2012; our 17yr old son, Austin was diagnosed w/ dilated cardiomyopathy and once out of ICU, we were 2 doors down from Mya. My son was devastated w/ what the doctors were telling him, because this being his senior year in high school, his dreams of going to UGA and being a football player was ripped from him with the news of his condition. He was blessed in having such an amazing group of friends that came and supported him, the football team and their families, we couldn’t have made it through w/ out them. The tide that turned Austin’s downside, to an upside, was when a little girl named Mya wanted to meet “the bearded kid” that she had seen walking the halls from her room. I told Austin and a few of his friends that were visiting about this amazing little girl that I had met, and they immediately wanted to meet her as well! They spent a few hours hanging out w/ Mya and her grandmother, walked the halls w/ her as she told them her story…and from that day forward, Austin had a new take on what he was dealing with. Compared to what Mya had lived with, he (as well as us as a family)…was inspired by her love for chatter, her bounty of energy, and love for day by day adventures.! She was amazing and touched all of us,…she was soo smart for her age, and she knew how to be a host for strangers that came in just for a visit! We pray for her everyday that she has a long and happy and fulfilled life. She is definitely a star in our eyes!!!
Amy,
Thank you so much for your amazing post-reading it brought tears to our eyes! We are very proud of our girlie and glad she has been able to touch so many peoples’ lives. We would love to send you updated pictures of Mya and keep you updated on her journey. We hope Austin is doing well, too! It is a lot to take in but becomes easier with time. Take care and look for me on facebook so we can connect!
Hi Madelyn,
I am sooo glad you responded!! Every time Austin has a follow up appt there, we always stop by the nurse’s station on the off chance that Mya might be visiting and ask about her! I am soo glad she is doing good. We pray for you all, all the time.
I tried looking you up on fb, but was unable to find you? I would love to see updates on her progress and keep in touch, if you can look me up on fb, that would great!! I’m not sure why I can’t find you, unless its private.
I can’t wait to see her again! If there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Michael Prince thank you for catching the essence of my granddaughter Mya. Yes she has touched many lives, and has made our lives very rewarding. I’ve always said Mya has an old soul in her young body. Our whole family wants to thank you for the way you captured the true Mya in your pictures. The time we spent with her in the hospital was an adventure to her everyday. We are just happy to have her here with us, she and her sister are both very special little girls.
Also Amy,
I hope that Austin is doing well, and I remember him and all of his friends visiting Mya, playing legos, chasing after her on her bike in the hall, and just having fun talking to all of the teenagers. Mya really enjoyed the balloons that Austin left her the day he left the hospital; and she let everyone know that her “friend with the beard” gave them to her.
Hi Debbie,
That is sooo sweet w/ “her bearded friend”. She is sooo adorable. Words can’t express the impact she had on all of us, and the kids at Austin’s school. She is by far the biggest and strongest inspiration to us all! We love to see you and her again….not sure if you have a fb account or not, but if by chance you do, Please look me up so we can connect again.
God Bless you and yours!