NY Photographer Jose Alavrado Jr.
A New York native, José A. Alvarado Jr. is a Puerto Rican documentary photographer, currently based in New York City. His personal projects focus on narratives documenting the food insecurities impacting New York City’s most vulnerable, the essential role of the volunteer community of first responders and health care providers, politics, and the relationship between Puerto Rico and the US. His latest project documented Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ historic run for office. Spanning from her humble beginnings as a waitress, and Primary election victory, to becoming the nation's youngest woman ever elected into Congress, from her native district of NY-14. A district home to a large Latinx population and that had never elected a person of color to Congress.
You Don't Look Sick
What are your experiences after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in your twenties during the peak of your social life? How do you begin to live your new life in a body that is familiar and yours, but now feels foreign?
Alvarado’s photographs document Robert Sanganoo’s daily life and adversities living with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis over the course of two years. At a time when most adults in their twenties are pursuing a career and meeting significant people, Robert takes his days at a pace unimaginable to the normal person. From physical therapy to at-home workouts, Robert wants to no longer just survive this disease. Having navigated a significant distance from the day he was first diagnosed, this positive direction comes at a time when our state of government in regards to health care may look to hinder the lives of our sick. Unable to work due to his body’s condition, Robert is dependent on the health care our government supplies, with a rift to it bringing serious repercussions for him and his progression towards a productive life. This essay will be his first time openly speaking about his battle with anyone outside the family and people sharing the same fight. With the purpose to open more conversations about this disease and to continue finding a cure.
“I was first diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2011 at the age of 21. Prior to my diagnosis, I had been an active person, playing sports my entire life.”
“I began doing some personal research, but even with the information I have read, I am still ill-informed on the disease I am facing.”
“Once I was diagnosed my body began to quickly change. My mobility started to deteriorate and I haven’t been able to run since. I’ve been stuck in a depressive state stemming from even knowing I had Multiple Sclerosis.”
To read more about this story and see Jose’s other projects visit josealvaradophoto.com and @josealvarado