By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
NO-ONE in Australia has achieved what Joshua Thomas has.
No-one in the country has lived to 19 years of age with the progressive brain condition Joshua has.
And no-one can say they’ve got a photograph slam dunking a basketball with their canine friend, 10ft off the ground.
But Joshua can.
The Cranbourne teenager had his dream of being an NBA star materialised, with a little heart, and a little magic photography from award-winning local artist Karen Alsop.
A super dream, a super labrador and a goodwill project aiming to brighten up the lives of youth living with a disability or illness through clever photography, has provided some much-needed light for the Thomas family.
The eldest of three children, Joshua was born with Vein of Galen malformation, which means blood doesn’t disperse around the brain properly.
Joshua’s condition is now considered progressive, and he began deteriorating in 2012.
The uncommon condition means Joshua suffers from dementia, strokes, seizures, left weakness, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.
But it hasn’t stopped him from enjoying the sport he loves, basketball.
“Josh has always wanted to play NBA and plays in his school team at Nepean School,” Mum, Mette said.
Joshua’s portrait is revealed.
But it wasn’t until Mette heard about Guys Hill photographer Karen Alsop’s quest for models for ‘The heART Project’ that Joshua’s dream was truly realised.
“I contacted Karen, and it’s all been done within a month,” a grateful mother said.
The heART Project is a collaboration between The Sebastian Foundation, founded by Australian pop singer Guy and his wife Jules Sebastian and Karen Alsop- Joshua is the project’s third success.
To build each masterpiece Ms Alsop photographs every limb separately to build a life-like figure.
“In Joshua’s portrait, I composited Melbourne’s city scape with the basketball ring and court from Cardinia Primary School,” Ms Alsop said.
“We threw the ball to Joshua’s assistance dog, Jess, while I took photos, and that’s how I got her in that position.”
Mette said the creation of the extraordinary portrait was an “amazing experience”.
“Karen creates images that make dreams come true, now we just have to work out where to hang it,” Mette said.
To make more dreams a framed reality for families in need visit: www.theheartproject.com.au
