Produced in partnership with Women Photograph, our "Caring for Each Other" photo series aims to shine a light on the experiences of unpaid caregivers who often go unseen as they navigate one of the most complex jobs of all.
Dana Jones, a single mother of two, works around the clock to care for her daughters, both of whom were born with sickle cell disease. Since their birth, Dana has been a tireless caretaker, chronicling thousands of doctor visits with notes kept in thick binders, tracking the girls’ medications, sleeping beside them in hospital rooms, advocating for them at school, and monitoring them on camera in case of seizures.
Single mother Dana Jones, 40, helps her older daughter Kami, 17, apply fake eyelashes before a modeling meetup. In addition to being an excellent student (she is headed to the University of Texas at Austin with a scholarship in Fall 2022), Kami is also an aspiring model who was invited to be part of New York Fashion Week.
Dana gives her younger daughter, Kyra, 16, an IV with fluids to keep her hydrated. Kyra had just gotten home from the hospital the day before, and is in intense pain; she wants to go back. But her mother reminds her that since it’s her chronic pain acting up, not acute pain from her sickle cell disease, there’s nothing more the doctors can do for her right now. Plus, going to the hospital means risking Covid exposure.
Dana sorts through mail, most of which is related to her daughters' medical bills.
Kami holds Luna, one of the family's dogs, as she speaks with her mother, who is cooking for her.
Dana worries over Kyra, and wonders if she’ll need to take tomorrow off from work to care for her.
We invite you to explore the stories of other incredible families: