20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
And From the Droplets, I Breathe

Complications from a thyroidectomy left me struggling to breathe, sleep, walk, swallow. I could not talk. I was never good at taking care of myself, but I had to learn. Initially, all I saw was a monster looking back at me, then I grew to see strength.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Wasilla, Alaska, United States of America
Camera: SM-G965U
Copyright: © Heather ASSELIN