Photography by Fotocrew Chief: Katie Norris
“Fotolanthropy is honored to share this story of SSG Travis Mills. On his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, SSG Mills was critically injured on April 10, 2012 by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol. Due to the explosion, SSG Mills lost portions of both legs and both arms. He is only the fifth quadruple amputee from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Even though SSG Mills has endured this unimaginable tragedy, he fights daily to recover for his wife and one year old daughter and to live a fulfilled life. Travis is defying all odds by the progress he has made in under six months and continues to make. His story has touched hearts across the globe, as well as ours at Fotolanthropy.
I will never forget the day that we learned of Travis’s story. I came across his photo in a facebook feed and saw a smiling, handsome soldier sitting amongst other soldiers, however, this image was incredibly impacting to me as I soon realized that this was a wounded soldier that in fact had lost both arms and legs. My heart broke and I remember not being able to sleep that night just worrying and saddened for this family. I knew that he had sacrificed so much protecting our country…my freedom…and I knew I wanted to help. I gave his family a call the next day to see if they would be willing to allow us to gift them with Fotolanthropy and we celebrated when they said yes! We were so excited to be able to gift them with a film, portraits, and to help share their story with everyone we could. Our team flew to his home in North Carolina a week later and we experienced a few days with them I will never forget.
Our team arrived at the Mills home and Kelsey answered the door. Instantly my heart sunk, realizing that Travis could not just get up to come greet us at the door. Knowing Travis now, I bet he was the guy that would be the first one to the door, greeting anyone with a big smile and offering anything he could to make his guests feel right at home. We soon after got to meet Travis and we spent about an hour all getting to know each other. I look back at that time and am so grateful that in one hour we went from absolute strangers to friends. Travis was a riot, just cracking jokes as he is so well known for and Kelsey was so kind, warm, and caring towards her husband she is so proud of and her daughter that she adores. Watching them be a family is such an inspiration, knowing that they have gone through the most unimaginable dark time. Their little unit of three is so strong and I know that it’s because of the deep love of family they have held onto to get them where they are today.
During our time in North Carolina, we were able to film their story by interviewing both Kelsey and Travis. We were very honored that they were so authentic and raw on camera. Kelsey and Travis both opened up to us about things they rarely speak about as it can bring back some painful memories. But during these interviews, they gave a gift to anyone who will watch the film of genuineness. There was not a dry eye in the house while Kelsey spoke about the day of the accident and the emotions she experienced, or when Travis bravely described his fears of what life was going to look like after the accident. Sitting in that living room with them and conducting this interview was incredibly emotional but it was in that moment, I knew in my heart we had to do something big for this family. We needed to do something unlike anything we have done thus far at Fotolanthropy. My prayer and hope was that this tragic pain would be used for good and that it could continue to inspire lives as it already has.
We had a great time getting to give the Mills family a portrait session as well! Kelsey had shared with me that they had not taken portraits in years, which always makes me that much more grateful to be helping give the gift of memories. We selected a gorgeous wooded area by a lake for the portrait session. I wanted this to be fun for them and to have the images portray the love and emotion between this family. Travis was proud to be able to stand on his prosthetics with his wife and daughter during the session. We selected a location by the lake that was somewhat level in order to keep it easy for Travis to walk on. During the session, I captured one of my favorite images of Chloe joyfully waiving an American flag while sitting in front of Travis standing on his prosthetics legs. I keep this image on my desk to remind myself each day of the sacrifices our soldiers make to protect our freedom. Please enjoy the images below and slideshow.
There is so much to say about this family and I have so many feelings that I have a hard time putting into words, but one thing we know is that Fotolanthropy is going to do everything we can to capture this inspiring true story. Our heart is to make this story so well known and to honor the bravery, perseverance, and inspiration of the Mills family. You may have seen that we placed the trailer of Travis: A Soldier’s Story on Kickstarter. We chose to do this so that we could
raise enough funds to take the film to the next level without taking away from the funds we have for our current fotolanthropy families. Because of the heroes that gave to this project and to the ones who are continuing to give, we have the funds to make this short documentary film the best for Travis! To see the trailer of Travis: A Soldier’s Story on Kickstarter, please visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fotolanthropy/travis-a-soldiers-story. Thank you for your support in helping Fotolanthropy create this inspiring documentary film! We are so grateful!
Please stay tuned as there is so much to share about our experience with the Mills family and the filming to come! Travis and Kelsey, I just wanted to thank you for your friendship and for so bravely sharing your story with us. To all of those supporters of Travis, it has been an honor getting to know so many of you. Those of you who have also seen a picture of Travis or heard his story and have chosen to rise up and help this wounded solider, it has been a pleasure building a friendship with you and rallying together behind Travis and his family. Looking forward to celebrating each milestone, sharing this story, and cheering on the Mills family every step of the way! – Katie Norris
Please enjoy the portraits taken by Katie Norris of Travis with his wife Kelsey and daughter Chloe. The film will be premiered in April of 2013.” – Written by Fotocrew Chief: Katie Norris
A special thank you to Patrick Lucas the song, “US Soldier.”