I had the privilege of photographing a young woman the other day. Courage was once defined to me as “grace under pressure.” To witness a determination to persevere despite adversity, to smile after years of pain and doubt, to take pride in accomplishments and have a comfort in one’s self – even if that self presents a physically challenged body, is to stand in the presence of grace under adversity – When one is with Kristin, one witnesses Courage moment by moment. It is not loud or flashy. One would not boast hero. It is quiet, like her breath, and steady.

Kirstin Duquette suffers with Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH or FSHD) which started to weaken her body at age 9. Coping with and calming her demons of rage, embarrassment and defeat have produced a champion – a champion of life. The disease forced her from the pool and the swim competition she thrived on. Now she can walk only with the aid of a walker or wheel chair. Now she has pushed back. Now she trains for the Paralympics and the 2012 games. Now she has erased defeat from her countenance and now, the courage and determination written on her face should inspire us all.

Her Motto taken from her initials, KMD, is: Kourage Makes a Difference.

Kristen trains with a 2 time Paralympician, Dana Alrycht. A wonderful story for another time


Photographed at the Pratt Street Studio September 11, 2008.

You can read more about Kristin at on http://kristinduquette.com/ and