DAVID PARADELA (14)

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? Because I enjoy taking pictures and Project: Tomorrow gives me a chance to be creative.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. Funny.

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A dog.

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? My iPod, food and a cell phone.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? I'm very shy.

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? My mom is special to me because she loves me. There is no one who cares for me more than she. As a single parent, she works hard to give us what we need. Without her I don't think that I would be the type person I am today. She taught me to work hard and respect everyone.

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE? Something I learned form my mom having cancer is that you should appreciate what you have because you never know what can happen. When my mom was diagnosed, I was worried about what would happen to her. I wasn't able to spend as much time with her because she was always in bed sick.


ALPHE PARADELA (DAVID'S MOM)

DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
I was able to observe how much he has grown in so short a time. He is a teenager now and surely behaves like one - self-conscious, impatient, impulsive and does not want to be seen hanging out with mama. I enjoyed the photo sessions with Paul and that's where I saw David so spontaneous in showing his enjoyment and affection. It was a memorable moment for me to see him laugh so sincerely and pose without care. He can be in the movies or in the theater someday.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
The most important lesson that cancer has taught David and me is that what we value most can be taken away from us in a blink, when you're not looking or when you least expect it. Yet, knowing this should not keep us from investing in friendships and in the things we care about and it reminds us to give it our all, here and now, especially in love.

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