Single Daughters Pose for ‘Wedding’ Photos to Include Their Dad With Alzheimer’s Disease
Many women dream of the day they’ll be escorted down the aisle by their father. But what if it’s highly likely your dad won’t survive to see your wedding day? Twins Sarah and Becca Duncan, 23, were faced with this grim scenario when their 80-year-old father, Scott, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Star-Telegram.
After processing the news, the sisters were struck with an idea. Though neither of them has plans to marry in the foreseeable future, they decided to seize the day and have professional wedding photos taken with their dad anyway. “We knew our father may not be alive for our future wedding, so we decided to capture the poignant moment before it was lost forever,” Becca told the Star-Telegram.
Dressed in donated wedding gowns and holding floral bouquets, the twins posed for a series of heartwarming photos with Scott, who wore a white button-down shirt and khakis. Lindsey Rabon, the photographer, told the Huffington Post that Scott did smile for the photos, but he “wasn’t totally sure what was going on.” Rabon said the Duncan sisters’ request was the most unusual one she’d ever gotten for a shoot, according to the Star-Telegram, but she loved the idea from the moment they pitched it.
“It was extremely emotional. I was impressed with the girls’ ability to stay strong and enjoy the moment,” she told the Huffington Post. “The meaning behind these images is so powerful, how could you not be impacted by them?” Sarah agreed that it was “very emotional, especially after we put on our dresses,” according to the Star-Telegram.
The family bond is very important to these sisters, who have put their lives on hold since their father’s diagnosis. The twins, based in Grapevine, Texas, took a hiatus from attending Tarrant County College to assist their mom, an elementary school teacher, as caregivers for their dad, who lives in a healthcare center in Keller, Texas. “I would’ve been graduated by now with a job, but I don’t regret it or resent it. We had to [do it] to take care of dad,” Sarah said to the Star-Telegram.
A few years ago, Scott, a retired businessman, started showing symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty maintaining the family’s finances, and the tendency to start petty, childish arguments. Concerned about his change in behavior, his family took him to the doctor and soon after learned of his diagnosis, according to the Huffington Post. They turned to the Alzheimer’s Association’s North Central Texas chapter for support and advice and started attending a local support group for family members of Alzheimer’s patients.
According to the Star-Telegram, the family has become so involved with the organization that the twins will soon serve as honorary co-chairs for Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Northeast Tarrant County. But for Sarah and Becca, volunteering for the cause was not enough. The diagnosis was personal, and they knew they needed to pay tribute to their dad before it’s too late.
Rabon is happy to have been able to help make that happen. “I knew [the photos] would be something they could have at their wedding to show that he’s with them, even if he’s not there,” Rabon said to the Huffington Post of the girls’ future nuptials. “I’ve worked with families who are dealing with terminal illness, but this idea was so creative and unique and definitely something the girls will treasure for a long time.”
All images courtesy of Lindsey Rabon Photography.
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