First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain Dealer
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerThis photo essay is a collection of Cleveland area holocaust survivors. There are between 1,800 and 2,000 still alive in the greater Cleveland area. It is not inconceivable that in a relatively short time there will no more living survivors of the holocaust. The trauma that these people have experienced is written into their faces. As a way of documenting the existence of the holocaust I would like to preserve those messages with photographs. I have undertaken a continuing project to photograph as many survivors in the Cleveland area for as long as I can.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain Dealer Dr. Zev Harel, holocaust survivor with picture of himself after he was released from the Nazies. Photographed at his home in University Heights. .
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerSylvia Malcmacher holocaust survivor with her quilt that contains family photo images.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerAlbert Hersh holocaust survivor.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerFrank Moss holocaust survivor.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerHolocaust survivor Martin Czin laughs in his kitchen.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerHolocaust survivor Bella Reisman is 84-years-old.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerHolocaust survivor Frank Ekstein lives with his wife who is also a survivor.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Mike Levy / The Plain DealerGita Frankel, holocaust survivor surrounded by family photos at her home.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon Journal
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalDr. Paul Fleissner, an orthopedic surgeon at the Crystal Clinic in Bath Township, examines what remains of Majid's legs after he was injured in a roadside bomb explosion in his home country of Iraq. Majid's five months of medical care in the United States was organized and funded by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund founded by Majid's host family, Steve and Huda Sosebee of Kent.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid Fadhil is comforted by his host mother Huda Sosebee (left) and her friend Um Talal, an Iraqi native, as he comes out of anesthesia after surgery to prepare his legs for prosthetics at Akron Children's Hospital.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid looks out the window at the snow as he recovers from surgery at the home of his host family in Kent.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid is overwhelmed by seeing so many toys in a mall toy store as he is pushed by his host father Steve Sosebee.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid is wheeled by the first grade class of Carol Gughron after Majid's visit to Barber Elementary School in Akron.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid takes his first steps on his prosthetic legs with the help of parallel bars and Yankee Bionics prosthetist Kevin Montini.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalKaleel Hamed, 11, gives Majid a tour of the worship area of the Islamic Center of Cleveland its Eid celebration. The Eid is an Islamic holiday.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalKnowing very little English, Majid does not understand the class lesson on fractions using a cardboard pizza.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid's shadow dances across the blacktop of the playground as he jumps a rope twirled by a student and physical education teacher Shawn Bates during recess at Holden Elementary School.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid pulls a plastic toy hand grenade out of the water at Plum Creek Park during a Holden Elementary School class picnic in Kent.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid is hugged by classmates and third grade teacher Gretchen Sues at the end of his last day of school at Holden Elementary. He would be returning home to Iraq the next day.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiey / Akron Beacon JournalMajid heads to his gate at Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland before boarding a plane to Jordan where he will meet his father.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchIn November 2004 the Ohio legislature passed a Defense of Marriage Act that banned gay marriage. In 2005 they were considering legislation that would ban gay adoptions. Jim Olive and partner Rodney Sweigart choose to adopt an infant after years of fostering. Jim Olive's co-workers made a cake to celebrate the adoption of Bryce by Jim and his partner Rodney Sweigart. The cake was displayed at a baby shower held for the new family at Jim's work place.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchProud parents, Rodney Sweigart and Jim Olive (left to right) look on as one of Jim's co-workers plays with Bryce at a baby shower held at the college where Jim teaches.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchRodney takes some time to read about childcare issues in Parents Magazine while Bryce falls asleep on his lap.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchA determined Rodney trys to feed an equally determined and disinterested Bryce some lunch at their Columbus home.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchJim holds Bryce's hand while he and Rodney attend the morning service at the King Avenue United Methodist Church. The recent culture wars that spawned the Defense of Marriage Act and a possible ban on gay adoption have created ambivalent feelings for the couple towards organized religion.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Bryce has his eyes on the tunnel of brightly colored gay pride flags as he is pulled in his wagon through the Annual Aids Walk in downtown Columbus.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchA day off together and a beautiful spring day was the perfect excuse for a trip to Whetstone Park and a photo session for the new family.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchBryce is reflected in Jim's sunglasses as the family waits for the Annual Aids Walk to begin. Although Columbus remains a gay friendly town, statewide politics and policy seem to be working against gay issues.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchRodney carries Bryce in his car seat on their way to their car whose bumper sticker makes clear the dads political position on the subject of gay adoption.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchJim uses the kitchen sink to bathe Bryce because it is the right size and the perfect height. The family lives in a close knit working class neighborhood in Columbus.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchIn a room full of mothers and their young children, Jim and Bryce spend some time together during a Columbus Public Library story time for toddlers.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Bryce keeps his eye on his dads while they kiss goodbye and Rodney leaves for work. Rodney's workplace offers affordable daycare and unmarried partner benefits.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain Dealer
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerTwo years ago, Heidi Bucheli was living a normal childhood in Ecuador when seizures and twitches began to take over her body. With help from missionaries, an online prayer group and a difficult trip to the U.S., she was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s encephalitis at the Cleveland Clinic. Guido Bucheli, Heidi’s father, was faced with a difficult decision. The only option to prevent the rare progressive brain disease from possibly taking her life was to authorize surgery. Guido stroked Heidi's hair before she was anesthetized. Once asleep, he had to leave the room.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerGuido smiles as Dianne Smarrella, the woman Heidi calls grandma, comforts her before she is wheeled off to surgery.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerCleveland Clinic surgeons Ali Chahlavi (left) and Fortino Salazar expose Heidi’s brain as they prepare to disconnect the left side of her brain.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerOne of the surgeons holds Heidi’s left temporal lobe, which was removed before they disconnected the left side of her brain.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerOne week after surgery, Guido helps Heidi eat lunch.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerAfter a week in intensive care, Heidi began to work with Cleveland Clinic therapists Pamela Pierson and Karen Vitak. Heidi lost motion on her right side and ability to speak.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerThree weeks after the surgery, Heidi was moved to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation. As she worked with physical therapist Hilary Baker in the pool, she moved her right leg for the first time.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerGuido works with Heidi as she tries to regain her speech.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerA few days before Thanksgiving, Heidi began to walk again on her own.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerHeidi’s rehabilitation will take months, but she is expected to regain a lot of what she lost from the surgery. Gone are the seizures and twitches.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerEver since Guido and Heidi got their visas to come to Cleveland, Heidi’s stepmother and best friend, Gabriela Pazmino, wanted one. Nearly a month after the surgery, they were reunited during breakfast at the rehabilitation hospital.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State University
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph Davis (left), his wife Julia Hubrik, and son Joey Hubrik (right), lived in their van for about a month after being evicted from their apartment in North Akron. The family moved into the Interfaith Hospiatility Network, a homeless shelter for families in Summit county when the weather began to get cold. Joseph, who is 67, has no job and can't get social security because he has not worked enough. The family has been relying on Julia's monthly $885 disability checks to get by. Joseph was homeless when he was younger but said it is more difficult now because his family is depending on him.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State University"I'm going to get me some toothpicks and Scotch tape to keep my eyes open," Joseph Davis (right) said. Davis had a hard time waking up at 6 a.m. with his family. They spent the night at The First Congregational Church of Hudson as a part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoey watches a movie in the Family Center while his parents call apartments. The family stays at the Family center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is able to use all its facilities. Joey typically rents three movies a day from the library and spends his days watching them.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph and Joey take a break after fixing the back light on their 13-year-old van in the parking lot of the Family Center. The van served as their home for about a month.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJulia, Joseph, and Joey eat their Mexican themed meal provided by volunteers in the fellowship hall at the First Congregational Church of Christ in Hudson.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph and Joey play pool at the First Congregational Church in Hudson while volunteer Rick Knapper keeps them company. The volunteers hang out with the families during the evening until lights-out at 11 p.m.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph takes a smoke break with his son Joey outside the church. While smoking the two talk about possible jobs Joey, who's interested in computers or janitorial work, could get.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityAfter watching movies with his family and volunteers, Joseph goes to bed at about 10:45 p.m. on a cot set up in a classroom at the church.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph circles ads in the newspaper for available apartment in the area. He has a hard time finding a place that will accept his family on their limited budget and with their past eviction.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph fills out an application to work as a box packer at a local temporary job agency. Joseph asked Joey to apply with him, but Joey refused saying he was holding out for a job where he could make more money.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph squints to try and read the fine print on the contract for their new home as Julia hands him the money to pay for it. The Interfaith Hospitality Network helped them find the apartment and payed their deposit.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Emily Rasisnki / Kent State UniversityJoseph celebrates getting into the new apartment with a cigarette. Although the family now has a place to stay, neither Joseph or Joey have jobs. They both say they will start looking again soon and plan on living on Julia's disability checks until they find something.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerMetroHealth's Emergency Department is the busiest in the city, handling the most traumatic cases in northeastern Ohio. A security officer watches as a patient is being treated.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerA shooting victim is attended to by nurses in the emergency room.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerA victim of an assault.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerA nurse holds the hand of an elderly patient.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerA nurse is lost in her thoughts during treatment of a patient.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerResidents share a laugh as they tend to a drunken patient.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerAn emergency nurse tends to a heroin addicted newborn going through withdrawal.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerAn emergency room nurse tries to compose her self after tending to a newborn.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerThe floor of the emergency room during treatment of a trauma patient.
