Evelina London inspires patient's moving photography project on shelter

A patient has found inspiration in his experience at Evelina London for a meaningful photography A-level project.

19-year-old Will Parsons started receiving care at Evelina London after his Crohn's disease diagnosis in 2016. He was under the care of the gastroenterology team, who treat children with conditions affecting the stomach, bowel and pancreas. He was also cared for by our endocrinology team for compression fractures of the spine and osteoporosis (fragile bones).

Will's treatment included regular infusions of Infliximab (a common medicine used to treat Crohn's disease) and Zoledronic acid (a medicine used to treat osteoporosis). For this, he visited Snow Fox ward at Evelina London every 8 weeks. 

The theme of his photography A-level project was 'shelter'. Having transitioned to adult services, he returned to Snow Fox ward to capture the sense of comfort and protection he felt during his time at Evelina London.

Will said: "My aim was to show what shelter as a concept meant to me in my life, so I did a photoshoot in the Snow Fox ward.

Having spent much time in the ward as a younger child, it was a place where I felt safe and always cared for - where I went when I wasn't feeling well, and I would often leave feeling much better. My project documented how the ward was a place of shelter in those many years I needed it. I have lots of positive memories of the time I spent there.

Ariana Siria, Snow Fox ward matron, said "We are incredibly touched that Will drew inspiration from his experiences here. It's heart-warming to know that Snow Fox ward was a place of shelter for him. Many of the children and young people who come to us regularly form close bonds with our team, and we strive to create that feeling of safety and comfort for all of our patients."

Read Will's blog to find out more about his Evelina London journey.