Paralyzed mum and son share awesome photo op in NSW

Abseiling down a cliff-face might frighten some of us, but when it comes to former adventurer Sarah-Jane Staszak it's where she'd rather be. Left paraplegic following a routine spinal operation, SJ has found it extremely difficult to cope with what her 7 year old son, Hamish, will remember of her.

 

In stepped photographer Benjamin Von Wong. Wanting to help create an image that would capture the audacity and courage of SJ's struggle, Von Wong devised a plan in collaboration with Blue Mountain Adventure Company and the Heart Project to suspend SJ and Hamish over a cliff-face in the Blue Mountains.

 

The images below involved a massive team including Von Wong, fellow photographer Karen Alsop and heaps of volunteers.

All involved were needed to create these striking photographs detailing the love and adventure in a mother-son relationship.

“The beautiful thing about photoshop, you can add things or take them away if you dont like the look of the shot you can change it” SJ says. “You wish for your life to look like a photoshop product, but its not.”

SJ has since started a GoFundMe campaign to improve the accessibility of the Blue Mountains and to raise awareness for those who are less abled.

 

You can read more about the shoot on Von Wong's blog here.