Open Your Eyes

“This photograph occurred due to a malfunction of my camera as I tried to take a picture of the Grand Canyon. However, the resulting image elicits the unique feeling of the viewer opening their eyes, awakening to a sliver of a view of the canyon. This makes me think of how often healthcare providers are present for moments of awakening, and how powerful it can be for a patient to open their eyes. Of course, there are the mundane awakenings when a patient begrudgingly lifts their eyelids as we conduct early-morning rounds; but there are also the moments when a newborn opens their eyes for the first time, or when a patient in the neuro ICU first opens their eyes after a severe injury or coma.”