February 7, 2012 – A year of portraits – Scott Schaefer

When I started this year long challenge I said I was going to photograph the interesting and inspirational people that I meet along my daily travels and Scott Schaefer has to be one them. I have already posted one portrait for this day on this year long challenge, but since the paper’s story about Scott wasn’t scheduled to run until the 11th I didn’t use his portrait till today.

Scott was missing part of his heart when he was born and the doctors never expected him to leave the hospital.

In his 11 years, Scott has had five heart surgeries, 14 heart catheters and one bilateral hernia repair. He also suffered a shower of strokes during one surgery in 2007.

“I made it through because Jesus was with me,” he said.

He is called Scott Awesome by many of his friends and the short time I spent with him for the interview and pictures last Tuesday was enough for me to understand why he’s called that.

He’s a well spoken, well adjusted and compassionate young man, that loves going to school, Kentucky Basketball, football and NASCAR.

His mom, Kim, says Scott rarely gets upset about his condition and is more disappointed if he has to miss school.

It was an honor to help tell his story.