Think, for a moment, about how good it would feel to be a part of a music festival where over 200 of America’s top artists are all headlining for a great cause, funding a cure for a devastating disorder called Rett syndrome.
For over a decade, Houston-based photographer Dave Clements, along with his close friend Kevin Black and Kevin’s brother, Clint Black, have been raising awareness and funds for little known Rett syndrome. Their inspiration for the project comes from Cortney Black, Kevin’s daughter, who died in 2003 at age 16 from the debilitating disorder.
Dave and Kevin’s remarkable project is a black and white photography book called Raising A Hand (Volume One & Volume Two).
Incorporating unique design and exceptional photo-quality paper, the coffee table books depict all the ways artists use their hands during a performance. Each of the 444 artists in the books has given their permission to be included, understanding the underlying theme is that they, individually and collectively, are ‘raising a hand’ for Rett.
Rett syndrome is a devastating neurological disorder that strikes mostly girls, occurring in about one of every 10,000 female births worldwide. Like Cortney, these precious girls are born normal and advance as you’d expect, up to about 12-18 months, at which point they start to regress to infancy.
They lose their ability to walk. They lose their ability to talk and also lose meaningful hand motions. They spend the rest of their lives totally dependent on others for their care. They are referred to as Silent Angels because they cannot share what they are thinking or feeling– they cannot tell their Mom or Dad that they love them, or verbalize their needs or wants.
“We want to help fund a cure so no one will have to go through what Kevin, his family and thousands of other families have gone through with their Silent Angels,” Dave says.
Please join our photographic “music festival.” Help the guys spread the word so that we can make Raising A Hand all that it can be. Researchers are closing in on a reversal. Please help us help them.
On behalf of Silent Angels everywhere, allow us to say what they cannot. “Thank you!”
For more information, or to purchase one or both of these incredible publications you can contact Dave Clements using the info below. Or you can give HMR a shout out and we can get you in touch with him.
Thanks For Raising A Hand !
dave clements
(713) 410-6076