Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn Mayhew shows her scar from her liver transplant with photos of herself and Keira Christie, her organ donor, from about four years ago in her home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, on June 7, 2021. Organ recipients have been at a greater risk during the pandemic due to weakened immune systems. On August 20, 2017 at the age of nine, Joslynn was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a childhood liver cancer. Her cancer was fast growing and categorized as a hybrid because it showed up so late in her childhood.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn rinses with mouthwash to treat open sores in her mouth at home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, on June 7, 2021. Joslynn takes anti-reject medication everyday for Keira’s liver that now inhabits her body, and she used to take oral chemo to prevent the cancer form coming back. Both medications can cause open sores to form in her mouth.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn rolls her eyes at her mother, Jodi Mowery while she takes her lunch order at the front desk in their family’s auto repair shop called AJ’s Automotive Service in Minford, Ohio, on June 7, 2021. Jodi told Joslynn that she could not have a hamburger, and Joslynn got annoyed. “Joss don’t know how they cook their burgers, sorry sis, but I don’t know if it’ll be cooked all the way through,” said Jodi.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"From left: Joslynn, her brother Jaylen Mayhew, her stepfather Aaron, and Jodi have dinner in their home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, on June 7, 2021. The family spends most of their days together and the kids help out at the family’s shop. “We kept Joslynn close to us after her surgery, and we just got used to always having her around,” said Aaron.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn feeds the ducks outside in her yard in Wheelersburg, Ohio, on June 6, 2021. The cats and the ducks live outdoors because Joslynn’s doctors told her it was safer so that she is not exposed to unknown bacteria.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn talks to her friend on FaceTime in her bed before going to sleep while a photo of Keira hangs behind her on the wall of her room in Wheelersburg, Ohio, on June 7, 2021. “One of my teachers FaceTimed me while I was sick, and I love talking to my friends,” said Joslynn.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Aaron (left) and Keira’s father Scott Christie (right) chat during a family meet up while Joslynn embraces her donor mom, Kristy Christie, at a park in Columbus, on June 8, 2021. Columbus is a half way point between their two homes. “The first time we met them, sitting across the table, it was like looking into a parallel universe,” said Aaron. “The night we got the call and found out the liver was going to be a near perfect match, I was happy, but I cried half the night knowing that someone else had lost their little girl.”
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn and her donor parents, Kristy and Scott, shop at her favorite thrift store with her family in Columbus on June 8, 2021. At the beginning of the pandemic, Joslynn was not able to go into stores because organ recipients have weak immune systems, but now she enjoys the time with her donor parents. When the decision to get the transplant was being made, Joslynn’s biggest request was to have a relationship with the donor parents. “Can I meet them?” she asked. “Can I meet the family where the liver came from?”
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Kristy, Keira’s mom (right) make sure Joslynn tells her mother, Jodi, center, everything the doctors mentioned during Joslynn’s bi-yearly checkup at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus on Dec. 27, 2021. The families worked with the hospital to allow Keira’s parents to take Joslynn to her appointment and act as ‘parental guardians.’ “We can’t do much for them, but this is a way of saying thank you. It’s not only our girl, but it’s their girl now, too,” said Jodi.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Donna Stahr, server at Thurman’s Cafe in German Village, tells the Joslynn’s family and Keira’s parents that their meal is paid for by the owner of the restaurant after a bi-yearly checkup at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 27, 2021.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Joslynn hugs Keira’s mom, Kristy, after spending the day with her donor parents in Columbus, on June 8, 2021. “I think Keira would have had her sass, even four years ago, they enjoyed the same things,” said Kristy. “I think she would have grown up to be just like her.”
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Alie Skowronski / Ohio University, "New Normal"Keira’s father, Scott, wipes off her tomb stone in Stow, Ohio, on June 9, 2021. Scott and Kristy both visit Keira’s grave once a week. “Now this is our new normal, we try to stay busy. But we get to see Joslynn live her life. Keira will help her grow up,” said Kristy.
