While working on his first book entitled Just Breathe, a photo book about adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), Ontario-based fashion photographer Ian Pettigrew realized that most of the subjects he was shooting were exceptionally attractive women. In his own words, they were all ‘turning out to be a bunch of hot chicks with CF’.
So the photo project “Salty Girls: The Women of Cystic Fibrosis” was born, aptly named after a common symptom of CF: really salty skin.
CF is a life-threatening genetic disease that causes an accumulation of mucus, which affects breathing and digestion. It has no known cure.
The 46-year-old photographer travelled all over the United States and Canada to photograph these women as well as to raise awareness for CF. Pettigrew himself was diagnosed with CF almost a decade ago.
“Most people don’t really know much about CF, and if they do it’s still perceived as a childhood disease,” he explained. “We believe awareness will lead to better research and funding,” he said, “and of course, hopefully, a cure.”
The women, all between 20 and 40 years old, sat for their pictures wearing everything from swimsuits and underwear to crop tops — all in the name of instilling body confidence and challenging misconceptions.
The models were “excited to have a project finally focused on them and their specific issues”.
The photo project aims to help women with CF deal with the negative perceptions of themselves. Half of the women he photographed have had — or are waiting for — a double lung transplant, a procedure that results in large scars across their abdomen.
“A lot of this is back to the issue of body shaming,” he said. “Women with no scars have it bad enough in this digital age; now grow up with massive scars across your belly, and scars from your double lung transplant.”
“Seeing how positive they can remain when dealing with this horrible disease is inspiring,” Pettigrew said.
“I know what these women go through on a daily basis; everyday it’s a struggle living with CF.”
The positive impact of the photo project on the models was significant. After the project, one model said:
“Over the years, I have become insecure of my body to a fault, and today, I take a stand. I will learn to appreciate, love, and nurture my body the way it should be. My body may be scarred due to all of the physical trauma I have had to endure with CF, BUT it will never define “ME” as a person. It will define my experiences and how it has shaped my perspective on MYSELF, and EVERYONE that is struggling.”
She added: “my scars tell a story of a triumph after every obstacle. My scars tell me that no matter the BS I’ve had to deal with in my life – I still manage to keep the fire in my spirit BURNING. That is enough to keep me going.”
These “salty women” are raw and beautiful, proudly displaying their scars and giving hope to children and teens growing up with CF. And it’s time the world knew their story.