Originally uploaded by P_E

Originally uploaded by P_E

Originally uploaded by P_E

Originally uploaded by P_E

Hi All: I am currently in LA and just attended the ICAN conference at Universal Studios. ICAN represents and supports individuals living with Anophthalmia and Micropthalmia.( www.anophthalmia.org) I met so many amazing amazing amazing kids. Such a powerful and inspiring experience.. I will post a Gallery on our site soon..

This weekend I will travel to Las Vegas to attend the Chromosome 18 Conference. Cant wait as I have been working with these folks for about 10 years now and it’s like going home to visit my family and friends… I will also begin collaborating with Kartemquin FIlms on a Positive Exposure documentary. I’m so honored to work with such a team.. Check out their site at: www.kartemquin.com
Here is the work in progress blurb about the documentary:

Positive Exposure
Director/Producer: Joanna Rudnick
Executive Producer: Gordon Quinn

From In the Family Director Joanna Rudnick, Positive Exposure will follow former fashion photographer Rick Guidotti as he skillfully employs his lens to redefine beauty. Guidotti photographs children who are often relegated to the shadows because of elongated or oversized limbs, cleft palates, facial markings, lack of pigmentation, and other differences that make some turn their heads. His images are not the grotesque medical studies of the past; they are celebrations of life. Kartemquin Films is partnering with The Genetic Alliance and Rick Guidotti to tell the story of how one man’s lens can change the way we see and experience beauty.

The second edition of Positive Exposure’s newsletter is going out today. If you’re not on the list, sign up now to receive The ViewFinder: At the Frontier between Art and Genetics.

The newsletter is a combination of Rick Guidotti’s photography, Positive Exposure news, interviews with both the arts and genetics communities, and reader-submitted content.

In issue #2:

* Summer Kickoff from Rick
* Interview with a Mom and Genetic Counseling Student
* News and Gallery from Kerala, India and Braille Without Borders
* New gallery from Tanzania

Let us know what you think, send us your story ideas, and pass the word along to your friends.

–Kim

I am here in Tanzania with the Under the Same Sun Team. So many great things happened this week.

We started out at the new Under the Same Sun office in Dar Es Salaam. Having this local office, we will be able to disburse support to the albinism community as well as create, develop and implement public awareness programs managed by a team based here.

Under the Same Sun Office in Dar Es Salaam

Under the Same Sun Director, Samwel Mluge, at his desk.

We visited the cancer clinic and met several patients with albinism.

One of the kids at the cancer clinic.

Awaiting treatment for skin cancer.

We met with several powerful officials to partner on our fight against these horrible murders in Tanzania. Vice President Shein Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda.

Vice President Shein

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda

On Saturday, we traveled Mwanza in the lake region where many of the murders are taking place. We visited the former home of a young boy whose family was murdered in front of him. The murderers were there to kill his sister with albinism, the family tried to stop them and were murdered as well. A horrible, horrible story.

P... who witnessed his family's murder in Mwanza.

We also returned to the school where many children with albinism are in hiding.

Students at school in Mwanza.

On the road in Mwanza

More from the school in Mwanza.

We traveled to the school with Bibiana, Al-Shaymars adopted daughter who was attacked 2 years ago and survived. She lost her leg and 2 fingers… She is so AWESOME!!!

On Sunday, we attended a church service where Peter Ash discussed the violence and asked for spiritual and community support to end these crimes.

The blessing!

Congregation!!

There were over 8,000 people in the congregation. There was a formal blessing of all people with albinism. It was amazing! On Monday, Under the Same Sun had the official opening in Tanzania.

On Tuesday the Under the Same Sun Team hosted a pastor conference to reach out to the communities throughout Tanzania.

The outcome: MAY 31 is designated as National Prayer for People with Albinism and memorial for those that have lost their lives. We will make this an International effort by inviting all of our friends around the world to remember the victims and their families.

A performer from the ALbinism Dance Troupe.

A very beautiful new friend!!

It's official. Under the Same Sun OPENS in Tanzania.

We will change the way people with albinism are perceived in Tanzania!

I am traveling to India this afternoon to visit the director and founder of Braille Without Borders and to tour their Institute create to empower people that are blind or visually impaired. I am so excited. More later… read up on Sabriye and Paul at www.braillewithoutborders.org

More Later: From Kerala India

In a step forward for everyone concerned with the killings in Tanzania and neighboring countries, the UN has recognized the atrocities as an international human rights issue.

Positive Exposure accompanied Under the Same Sun founder Peter Ash to the UN last week, where he taped one of a series of interviews about his organization’s initiatives in Tanzania. He is setting up a Tanzanian office of Under the Same Sun, where his community empowerment plans include fighting  stigma by providing information about albinism.

Positive Exposure will be joining UTSS in Tanzania next month, where Rick will record more video interviews and work with the medical community to start grassroots education programs.

View video footage from October’s trip below.

If you haven’t received your copy of the new Positive Exposure newsletter in your inbox, sign up now to receive The ViewFinder: At the Frontier between Art and Genetics.

The newsletter will be a combination of Rick Guidotti’s photography,  Positive Exposure news, interviews with both the arts and genetics communities, and reader-submitted content.

In the first issue:

* Letter from Rick
* Interview with PE’s First Stylist, Joe Boggess
* Send Us Your Stories

Let us know what you think, send us your story ideas, and pass the word along to your friends.

–Kim

PS Please note that Rick is going to the United Nations to discuss the situation of people with albinism in Tanzania. He will be going with Peter Ash from Under the Same Sun on February 4-5.  This is an important step towards getting the atrocities on the international human rights agenda.