Portrait of an Inspiring Transplant Survivor – Dallas Frisco Family Photographer – Me Ra Koh

Meet Rising Phoenix, Taryn, whose incredible story of overcoming childhood diabetes and surviving a kidney and pancreas transplant, will inspire you to live life FULLY. We are honored to be able to share her story with you. Everyone we talked to told us the same story of a woman who exudes love and humility and strength. Taryn is an inspiring transplant survivor. Here is her story.

LIVING WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

Taryn has lived with type 1 diabetes for 25 years. Diagnosed in 7th grade, she sustained kidney damage at an early age, which affected her health for the next two decades. In June 2020, Taryn was in a car accident. Kidney-related, Taryn suffered a severe drop in blood sugar that caused her to go unconscious behind the wheel. Shortly after, in August 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney and pancreas failure and was placed on a transplant list.

While the average wait for transplant organs is 5 years, Taryn received the life-changing call that she was to receive a kidney and pancreas, just 2 years after her kidney failure diagnosis. Now, a little over one year post-transplant, Taryn is in constant awe over the fact that she doesn’t have to worry about driving her child to his activities or going to the grocery story. Where once an immense amount of anxiety and fear lived, now there is freedom.

The chains have broken and Taryn is living life to the fullest, knowing every day is precious and we are not promised tomorrow. She lives in a way that honors her organ donor and the loss that their family is living with so that she, in turn, can now live.

FEELING LIKE A NEW PERSON

Taryn says she’s always been a high achiever but had NO idea how tired she was before the transplant. Now she has so much energy to tackle the day! She feels like a completely new person and in this season, is learning how to truly help herself and help others.

“I’ve always volunteered but now I’m so much more empathetic because my organs came from someone who died. An entire family was impacted for me to have a life. That changes everything. Everyone shines a little different. I’ve never been so thankful every day. I want that family to know their loss changed my life and I am forever grateful. It even changed my son’s life to be more empathetic to people who just don’t feel good physically and/or emotionally.”

When we asked for an example of how Taryn feels like a new person, she told us such a beautiful story. On President’s Day weekend post-transplant, she was on a hike with her family, in a place where there was no cell coverage. It dawned on her that for 2 years, she was never in places where she could not be reached. She was so worried she’d miss the call that a donor was found for her. There was always a ton of internal anxiety. But on this hike, she realized there was so much FREEDOM in being able to exist in a place where she didn’t have to worry about whether anyone could get a hold of her or not.

Feeling physically better than ever, Taryn got to the top and sat next to her husband. She exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.” She was fatigued but not exhausted or riddled with anxiety.

As she was walking up, with every step, there was a palpable breaking of anxiety and she felt it fall away from her along the trail. She said her eyes were filled with excitement about ALL the possibilities ahead. Suddenly, she felt like she had overcome so much. All of her anxiety blew away in the breeze and she was finally at peace.

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE PHOTO

After hearing Taryn share this pivotal hiking story, I asked her what it would be like to see herself every day as healthy and vibrant. To see the weight lifted off her shoulders, the anxiety blown away, as she steps into this beautiful new chapter of life.

She said, “Oh my gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself like that. So many tears because I’m without the weight and anxiety. I’m a people pleaser, I take care of others. Very eye-opening question, why don’t I see myself like that? (more tears). It would change my day-to-day operations of ‘I can do this.’ You’ve been through some hard stuff and look at how vibrant you are coming out of that!”

Taryn wanted to see this outside her bedroom, somewhere central. “When I open the door to start my day, there’s a whiff of despair that hits me. I would love that for that whiff to be vibrancy! I can kick ass!!”

We reflected on all these words during her photo shoot and THAT is the inspiration behind her large Rising Phoenix portrait! SO POWERFUL!

WHAT DAVID LOVES ABOUT HIS WIFE

We loved talking with David about Taryn. His awe and love for this wife is so moving. We asked what his top favorite Taryn-qualities are and his words were consistent with everyone else we spoke with. Taryn definitely lives an authentic life where she is consistently and unapologetically herself around everyone.

David said despite all over her struggles with diabetes, Taryn is still fiercely independent and HAPPY. Her strength after everything she’s dealt with is an inspiration to all she comes in contact with. “Taryn has always been really good about managing her health that after she got a pump, I almost forgot she had diabetes! I don’t notice trips to check her blood pressure anymore and we can go on vacation without worry. Her mood has stabilized quite a bit post-transplant as well. Everything seems easier now and her happiness really shines through.”

David is excited about this new season for Taryn where she feels healthy and whole. He says she has a lovely smile and exciting glimmer in her eyes. She’s looking forward to future opportunities and he’s so happy for her. He’s hoping that these portraits are a powerful reminder of how much she has over come and that she can accomplish anything now that nothing is holding her back. While they still have a struggle mindset at times, every day they are realizing it’s not permanent. He hopes they remind her what is true.

WHAT NOLAN LOVES ABOUT HIS MOM

Sweet Nolan says he loves that his mom is helpful. She takes him fun places.. they go to the park, he goes on boomerang with her and she holds on to him so he doesn’t fall. “She’s just calm and fun!” he said.

He also loves that she cooks for him. “It’s yummy. Her spaghetti and tostadas are my favorites! She doesn’t burn food.” Nolan says that his mom is really sweet. “I Iove to find her and give her hugs. She gives really good hugs.” (photo: Taryn and Nolan the day after her surgery)

WHAT DEANNA LOVES ABOUT HER DAUGHTER

We had the pleasure of speaking with Taryn’s mother. Mothers are often our unsung heroes, especially when our kids are struggling with illness. So first, we’d like to thank Deanna for sharing her daughter with us but also for teaching her how to be so strong and graceful.

Deanna’s favorite qualities of Taryn are her perseverance, grace and humility. She says Taryn’s perseverance has always been amazing. She never gives up! Taryn also never has the attitude that nothing is too difficult for her. She moves through life with such grace. She’s humble about everything she accomplishes. Deanna says it’s similar to her grace, but really, it’s how genuine Taryn stays through everything she’s dealt with, overcome and all that she accomplishes. She’s incredibly passionate about everything and lives life fully – she loves fully!

“I remember when Taryn was 12 years old and first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She struggled a lot, but instead of approaching it with an expectation of everyone feeling bad for her, she almost wore it as a badge of honor. Taryn chose to educate other people, which I felt was a really mature way to do things, especially at such a young age. She takes control of her own life and her own health. She’s amazing.”

We asked mom what she thought her daughter’s superpower is. “She’s a planner! Whether it’s community, her friends, family or her job – she’s the planner. She’s the one that makes sure everything happens. Her son being born at Christmas caused her to say very early that if they were to have family gatherings, they would be at their house so that Nolan wouldn’t have to leave his home for his own birthday and Christmas. So Taryn plans the family gatherings. It’s deep and time-consuming, on top of her own work. Yet she does it because it’s important to her and she’s really intentional with those things.”

Deanna hopes these portraits will help Taryn to see what everyone else around her sees. She hopes they remind her that she is an inspiration to people and that even if she’s feeling grumpy or tired, it’s all a part of what makes her Taryn. “Who she is, is a truly amazing woman. She’s Wonder Woman. I really hope that she can look at these and see all of the wonderful things the rest of us see every time we look at her.”

WHAT RICHELLE LOVES ABOUT TARYN

Richelle, who is one of Taryn’s closest friends and coworkers, says she is one of the most selfless, self-sacrificing humans she’s ever known. She also describes Taryn as incredibly humble, always smiling, never bragging or boastful and the embodiment of 1 Corinthians love.

“Taryn would give you the shirt off her back 100 times over and keep smiling. I could be in a different country and need help with something and all I’d have to say is, ‘Taryn, I need you.’ and she would drop everything for me. She has so many times and for the people in her life, she loves nothing more than to be helpful. I can’t speak highly enough about how selfless Taryn is, especially with all she’s gone through in life.”

We asked Richelle what she thought Taryn’s superpower is and she said, “Not taking any crap!” Taryn is able to stand up for herself and others and does on a regular basis. She’ll call it out too and say, “Not today, Satan!”

WHAT KELSEY LOVES ABOUT HER SISTER

Kelsey, Taryn’s sister, describes her as driven, an overcomer, a hard-worker, thoughtful, a leader and the best gift-giver! She says Taryn volunteers and helps with her son’s sports and coordinates youth camps for kids with diabetes. These are just two examples of how she loves to volunteers. Kelsey says Taryn is much more organized than she is. She says Taryn pays attention to details all year long and remembers personal things when giving gifts. Kelsey says gift-giving is her superpower! But Taryn is also spontaneous and lives in the moment. She hopes these portraits remind her of her vibrancy. “The light shines from her face! She is RADIANT. Her positivity is infectious.”

WHAT LAUREN LOVES ABOUT TARYN

Lauren, Taryn’s friend since high school, tells us such a beautiful story of how Taryn shows up for others.

“I have three children. When I was pregnant with my twins, and had my oldest who was 1 at the time, the twins were very ill. I had a million doctor appointments, I was so scared they were going to die, and we had to move into the hospital for 8 weeks before I even had them. She just came to my house and said, “We’re taking Braxton today.” He was my oldest. She said he was coming with them to do X, Y, and Z and he’d spend the night and bring him back with dinner to drop it off for me. Even showing up to my house clean, and all the laundry done. She showed up for me at that time in a way nobody else did…

…Everyone knows to say, ‘How can we help?’, but that’s not the same as what she did jumping in before I could even ask or protest. I strive to show up in that way for people because the way she lives her life in that manner is so inspiring. There are a million stories I have of her like that. Even in small ways like when I was doing a fundraiser to build a handicap accessible playground and trying to get the event organized, she showed up. I never thought to ask her, but she pulled up early in the morning to be there all day and help work the event.”

Lauren says Taryn’s superpower is inspiring people to do and be better. “She makes the change in the world that you want to see, and inspires me to be better. She also has the ability to empower other people. Even with all the people she helps, where one might start to have an ego from that, she doesn’t. She is genuinely humble. Watching her I can’t help but think, ‘Wow. If the world had an ounce of your goodness, it would be a completely different place.’

“She does all this while she still deals with her own struggles, and hardships that she has to walk through in her own life. She doesn’t complain once. She’s just an incredible human being.” What a beautiful testament of Taryn’s goodness and love for others!

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

We love sharing Taryn’s story. She is a living example of the goodness of God and how we all have our own struggles, pains and hardships, but at the end of the day, our attitude makes the biggest difference in our quality of life. Taryn has been given a second chance at life and boy is she living life to the fullest! Thank you, Taryn, for sharing your journey with the world and showing us how to love with grace and humility.

Every time you see these portraits, may you SEE what your loved ones see when they look at you. May see not only your perseverance, strength, and humility, but also your VIBRANCY and ALL the NEW POSSIBILITIES AHEAD!!! We are SO HAPPY for you!!!

HOW TO MEET TARYN

Isn’t Taryn a remarkable woman?! If you’d like to meet her, Taryn is a part of our Rising Phoenix Facebook Group. Just CLICK HERE to join this private group. We’ll ask you a few questions to make sure you’re not a spammer. And then you can meet Taryn yourself!

ARE YOU A RESILIENT WOMAN BUT STRUGGLE TO CELEBRATE YOU?

8 out of 10 Rising Phoenixes feel SELF-CONSCIOUS about APPEARING conceited or vain. They struggle with feeling worthy of an experience like this.

To have a big portrait of themselves in their home office, their bedroom, even their front entry, they don’t want people to get the wrong idea.

Cherie came from TN. We interviewed her friends and family. They all said she is STRONG! Every single one of them used that specific word to describe her resilience, what has risen from the ashes.

But she said, “I feel like if I put photos of myself on the wall, people will think I’m conceited.

I know people say I’m strong, I guess I just don’t see myself that way.”

YOU GIVE TO EVERYONE

You’ve most likely given to everyone else. The time has come to give something transformational and lasting to you. Just read the following stories.

Have you achieved a weight goal like Tannis or Jamie? Read Jamie’s inspiring story of never going back after significant weight loss.

Maybe you need deeper healing from childhood trauma. You’ve done the counseling but still struggle to see the truth about who you are. You may relate to Tiffany’s story.

Jajuan flew from Seattle for his Rising Phoenix Experience! He wanted his daughters to see not only who dad is but where he’s come from. Sony spotlighted Jajuan’s Rising Phoenix story as one of the Best Of portraits in 2022! See Jajuan’s powerful story.

Or maybe you’re turning 40, 50, 60 or 70+ and want to reflect and celebrate who you are and the possibilities of what this next season of life holds? 

The first step is to fill out our Rising Phoenix inquiry; CLICK HERE.

MICHELLE FOUND COURAGE TO STEP BEYOND GRIEF

Meet Michelle. She is definitely someone who has known great courage. At one time, she was an interrogator for the US military in the Middle East. This 5’4 woman knows confidence. But the loss of her mom swallowed that confidence.

There are some seasons in life when we feel unshakeable courage and other seasons that leave us feeling lost. After great loss, it takes great courage to step forward. Maybe you relate to Michelle’s story.

MEET OUR OLDEST RISING PHOENIX

She was in her 80s and never had her makeup and hair done. I’ll never forget the giggles we had over watching Oma that day in the studio. This beautiful 4’9 woman came to the United States with Opa when she was only 23 yrs old and pregnant with her first baby. All they had was $50. Leaving behind family and all that was familiar in the Netherlands, they boarded a cargo boat and set out to make a new life.

Krista, Oma’s granddaughter, had a FIORIA family experience with us last year. When she saw us launch the Rising Phoenix Experience, she thought of her grandma. Oma is the heart of their family and lived eighty plus years as a rising phoenix.

Click Here to meet Oma, our oldest Rising Phoenix!

CRYSTAL DROVE TO US FROM LAS VEGAS.

A single woman who has always been known for being responsible and quiet, yet there is another side of her that wants to come out. A side that is brave and takes risks—that believes she is worthy of doing something special not just for others but for herself too. A year after her Rising Phoenix Experience, she sent us photos of her traveling solo in Europe! She told us how much her life has changed from seeing who she is every day when she looks at her Phoenix portraits!

What truth do you need to be reminded of daily to unleash your purpose and potential?

MEET OUR YOUNGEST RISING PHOENIX, A MIRACLE PHOTO SHOOT!

CLICK HERE to see the most miraculous Rising Phoenix portraits!

This is the first time Isabella has ever looked at the camera and smiled. This was a miracle photo shoot.

I’ll never forget my first Discovery Call with Isabella’s mom. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea because Isabella is very sensory sensitive. Photo shoots have never gone well in the past. She felt very hesitant to believe this photo shoot could be a success.

I felt her words on such a deep level. I didn’t want to set them up for disappointment either. But I just knew that there was something so special about this whole thing. I told her, “There are many doubts and fears I can struggle with, but this is something I am confident I can do.” She borrowed that confidence, and we witnessed a miracle photo shoot.

ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, THEY WERE READY TO …

Rise above the ashes of what other people have said
Rising above their fear and doubts
Own their Rising Phoenix within.

Through our Rising Phoenix Experience, they not only did something special for themselves but also experienced transformation.

We invite you to experience the transformation too!

YOUR RISING PHOENIX EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

• Signature Phone Calls with You and Loved Ones (collection of words that give you life)
• Professional Hair & Makeup
• Wardrobe Consultation & Vision
• Rising Phoenix Photo Shoot with Me Ra Koh (Sony Artisan, Disney Host, and Live with Kelly & Ryan Guest Expert—You’re in good hands. I will pose you, and Brian will drop shadows and light on you in the most flattering way that radiates your Rising Phoenix.)
• Same Day Cinematic Reveal & Custom Design Session with our In-House Design Specialist
• Beautiful Artwork of Your Rising Phoenix, Custom Designed for the Best Place where it will Speak Truth to You Every Day.

CLICK HERE to fill out the inquiry and begin your Rising Phoenix Experience!

I can’t wait to speak soon! Still we rise!
Me Ra

GEAR USED

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