In Sight

TOP: Rajiv Bhattacharya waits for a group of corporate executives to begin a training session at Revolution Fitness in Stamford, Conn. on Friday May 28, 2010 in preparation for the June 11 “The Real Fight Club Stamford” white-collar boxing ball fundraiser.  ABOVE: Bill Knight, of Old Greenwich, takes a jab at Rajiv Bhattacharya.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

This assignment was a welcome change from my usual holiday weekend shoots.  Great light, a boxing gym, Muhammad Ali posters on the wall and a group of “white-collar” men duking it out in the ring.  Beats a parade any day.

Martine Volcimus, who lives in Haiti, walks the halls at Stamford Hospital testing out her new prosthetic leg as Elizabeth Menegon and David Bow, of New England Orthotic & Prosthetic Systems, examine her stride in Stamford, Conn. on Tuesday May 11, 2010.  Volcimus, who is from Haiti, lost her leg in the Haitian earthquake in January.   Her sister, Minouche Gilles, later adopted 4-year-old Angela from Haiti.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

It’s been exactly four months tomorrow that the devastating earthquake hit Haiti causing major damage to Port-au-Prince and other areas in the region.  The stories of survival and loss have been overwhelming, causing an irresistible urge in all of us to help in some way.  Former Advocate reporter Devon Lash and I met Minouche Gilles a few weeks after the earthquake when she adopted Angela, then 3. (Read the story: HERE)  The story continues tomorrow in The Advocate when columnist Angela Carella reports on Gilles’ sister Martine Volcimus and her struggle to regain her independence and return to her country.

Santiago Thompson, 8, tries out a stethescope on a baby CPR mannequin as he steps in as Honorary Chief for the day at the Stamford Fire Rescue Department in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday May 8, 2010.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

This lucky 8 year-old got to play fire chief for the day after his parents won the honor in an auction at Rippowam School.  Despite bright red fire trucks, flashing lights, top of the line computers and boxes of Entenmann’s donuts, Santiago was still drawn to the little flashlight given to him by Chief McGrath and the ping pong table in the firehouse.  This was one of those easy assignments where candid images came naturally and he seemed to forget I was even in the room.  Except when he picked up the ping pong paddle, searched the room for a partner then looked into my camera as I clicked away and asked “Want a game?”  It’s nice to see some things never change.  Little boys still dream of being firemen or, in Santiago’s case, a soccer player.  He’s got plenty of time to decide.

Bello Nock, the world famous clown and star of the Big Apple Circus performs a balancing stunt 92 feet above Columbus Park on Tuesday May 4, 2010 in Stamford, Conn. The performance was held to promote the Big Apple Circus’ 32nd all–new show, Bello is Back! as it makes its first ever appearance under the Big Top in Mill River Park from July 9 through July 25.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

The circus is coming to town and Bello Nock made an appearance in Columbus Park today to promote the July event.  The world famous clown balanced 92 feet in the air atop a sway pole standing upright and then upside down as Stark Elementary School students applauded below.  Advocate editorial assistant Olivia Just and I covered the event, a first in my photojournalistic career and most likely, her’s as well.

Isn’t it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.