Title: 'Phantom'.

Location: Calvert Studios.

"Walid Saleh is who the project is about. Walid's life took a transformative turn when, at 14, he was tragically shot on his way home from school, resulting in the amputation of his leg. The aftermath brought not only the challenge of adapting to life with a prosthetic limb, but also the onset of 'Phantom Limb Pain'.

As a portrait photographer, I was deeply drawn to the inspirational narrative of Walid's journey. From the heart-wrenching adversity of his injury to his resilience as a refugee adapting to a new country and language, his story is nothing short of remarkable.

Today, Walid is not just overcoming his physical challenges, but also channeling his experiences into something positive. He has embarked on a path as a Paralympic sprinter, harnessing his mental strength and determination. Additionally, his firsthand understanding of prosthetic limbs and PLP has fueled his pursuit of medical training as a prosthetist, making him uniquely qualified to empathise with and assist others facing similar challenges.

My project delves into the multifaceted aspects of Walid's life - capturing the nuances of his Phantom Limb Pain, his transition from being a refugee to a Paralympic hopeful and aspiring prosthetist. I directed a film & shot photography side by side. Dovetailing the two meant we could tell this story in a super efficient and cohesive way."