Aw aken
PAULINA KOTARSKA
Introduction
This book presents the visual journey of Louise Butcher, a breast cancer survivor who underwent a double mastectomy. Louise shares that her cancer diagnosis profoundly changed her perspective, leading her to appreciate life and live more fully than ever before.
Today, she is on a mission to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mastectomies and to promote body positivity. I invite you to experience this emotional journey through a series of powerful images.
“Darkness is a heavy blanket, when you’re under there alone. It’s suffocating, isolating, it kills right to the bone, take me to an open place where I can breath, Take me away from me, because I’m finding it hard to be
Round and round and round
I go upon this carousel, faces stare they’re everywhere, the fire burns like hell I try so hard to be a warrior, but all I can do is cry, watch apart of me die, it’s taking my soul to try
And hope, show your face, shine your grace, please take this all away
Now I’m just an empty soul with no identity, no who I am or what I was or what I meant to be, time is just illusion that you can’t control, willingness takes its toll, if only you could see, I’m finding it hard to be.”
Louise Butcher
“Don’t feel You are one of the losing ones please don’t ever feel you’re alone the sun hasn’t set on the mild and the meek until the last seeding is sown
Pretend you’re the king of the world my friend even when your sight’s impaired by bars we’re all living down in the gutter but there’s some staring up at the stars
Love yourself and all who surround you even when they are stealing your faith give a smile for the ones who betray you give a thought for the ones who aren’t safe
Never think that you are inflicted count your blessings and don’t lose your dream don’t give up on yourself even when there’s no hope always know things are not what they seem
Most of all thank your world for its glory every day let the Lord hold your hand make each second count as if it where your last spread the word of his wonderful land.”
Louise Butcher
Acknowledgements
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the creation of this book.
First and foremost, my deepest gratitude goes to Louise Butcher for sharing her beautiful story with me and for her trust.
I am also immensely grateful to my husband for taking over my responsibilities while I worked on this project.
Special thanks to Trudie Ballantyne for her support and guidance, and to Emily Hutchinson for her assistance with the printing.
Finally, to all those who contributed in any way but are not mentioned by name, thank you for your invaluable help.
Photography and Retouch by Paulina Kotarska Model and Poetry by Louise Butcher
