In October 2003, six-year-old Gena Buza and her younger sister, Sophie, were riding in a car, their grandmother at the wheel, when the grandmother lost control of the vehicle and it smashed into a tree. Gena was thrown from her seat and suffered a bruised spinal cord that left her paralyzed from the chest down. She is considered quadriplegic.
One might expect that this is the beginning of a tale that ends in broken dreams and heartache. But the heartache wore off, the dreams have evolved and Gena is today a remarkable 16-year-old with a story to tell. I have been photographing “Gena, In Constant Motion” since 2012. Below, Gena shares a poem recounting a day that changed everything and about how she has rebuilt her life. — Taylor Baucom
I Remember. . .
The grass, a field of delicate green prickles Between my toes Cold but freeing Simple Yet memorable
I remember. . .
Dancing on Sundays Ballet steps and pastel dresses Twirling till I fall Just to see it flow
I remember. . .
Our driveway Hot sun beating down Blacktop imprints on my soles Curiosity left behind
I remember. . .
Jumping and leaping On the trampoline with my father In the late afternoon Under the shadows of the sunset
I remember. . .
Climbing Taking the adventure Up and up the steep craggy hill Just a rock
I remember. . .
The backseat of my grandmother’s car The taste of peanut butter lingers A carefree afternoon Shattered within moments
I remember. . . ?
Black Choking Breathless Black Then red Blood My grandmother Distant sounds Helicopter blades Then putrid smells Of oxygen and hospital Blackness Sounds everywhere but no vision Distant beeping Paced but constant
I remember. . .
Laying there Lifeless Strength I remember having Gone now
I remember. . .
Wanting to get up But my body isn’t listening Like the signals have been cut Never to be used again
Eating But can’t hold a fork Having to be fed Like a baby
Sitting up No muscle strength to balance Now a struggle And a fear
I was six I remember
School For the first time in months Now watching friends Play our old games Feeling left out
Saturday nights spent Staring at Sundays dresses Crying out at nothing Just to be able to spin one last time
Yeah, I remember. . .
Dancing on weekday nights In the living room for my parents Trying to pretend Trying to forget
I remember. . .
My purpose Why I am here
I remember. . . Finally seeing it for what its worth Raising my head high Rather than bowing in hopelessness I will not accept defeat
I am. . .
A different person. . .
A better person. . .
I am
Me.
Taylor Baucom is a visual journalist based in New York City
Baucom’s work was brought to LightBox’s attention by Katie Hogin
The following photos were taken between 2012 and 2014.Gena Buza, 16, takes a moment to collect herself after nurses struggle to find a vein for her IV before she is taken into surgery. Gena has undergone three surgeries since the car accident ten years ago that left her paralyzed from the chest down.Taylor BaucomGena's parents, Rich and Sue, comfort her before she is wheeled out for surgery.Taylor BaucomFamily and friends gather around and join hands to pray for Gena before she is taken into surgery.Taylor BaucomGena waits to go into surgery. Gena says, "the hardest part about surgery isn’t the surgery itself, it's the raw fact that I have to start over ... that’s like a punch in the gut because you've built up all your strength, you’re happy and healthy and then you just know deep down that you’re going to have to start all over again and start from scratch again and build up your strength again and not feel good, that’s the hardest part.”Taylor BaucomGena hands out candy to trick-or-treaters on a rainy Halloween night while her siblings collect candy around the neighborhood.Taylor BaucomSue treats Gena's incision every night before Gena goes to bed. After Gena's surgery, an infection developed in the hollow bone where the old screws once were. Sue will clean the wound every night until it closes for good.Taylor BaucomGena sketches a self portrait after school. After the accident, Gena had to work hard to get dexterity back in her hands.Taylor BaucomAs a vibrant six-year-old, Gena used to draw often. After the accident, she had to improvise and teach herself a new way of holding the pencil.Taylor Baucom
www.taylorbaucom.comGena and Sophie, her sister, laugh while their dad hides the evidence of BBQ they secretly ordered while Sue was at a Christmas party.Taylor Baucom
Gena takes a selfie with her dad on Thanksgiving.Taylor BaucomGena and Sophie,12, have their night time rituals of checking Instagram and reading before bed.Taylor BaucomGena fixes her hair.Taylor BaucomSue carries Gena back to her chair after having her picture taken in a patch of springtime flowers. "She's just so strong, physically and mentally, says Gena. "Numerous years of lifting me and carrying me and pushing a wheelchair through the snow, she’s just amazing. I don't think many people could do what she does���Taylor BaucomGena greets friends as they show up for her sixteenth birthday party.Taylor BaucomGena on her street. "Right now in my life I have a family that help me. It’s scary to think of the reality of someday when I will be by myself," Gena says. "Every day is probably going to be a struggle because it will just be me. It’s just a harsh reality, but I have high standards for myself. I want to do everything and I want to see everything, sky is the limit and I am going for it.”Taylor BaucomGena's tracheotomy scar is a reminder of the accident.Taylor BaucomGena and her classmates decorate for Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomOn the way to get her nails done for Junior Prom, Gena leans in to talk with Sophie about the school day.Taylor BaucomGena sees her finished dress for the first time. When it came to picking a dress, Gena had to be cautious that the dress wouldn't get caught in her wheelchair and that the fabric wouldn't dig into her skin while sitting on it throughout the night. Hannah Ballinger, a fashion student at Syracuse University, designed a dress for Gena that would fall within these guidelines.Taylor BaucomGena sits in her tights as Sophie stands next to her to help put on her dress for Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomSue admires the detailing of Gena's dress for Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomBrooke, Gena's youngest sister, sits close to her big sister as they wait for Gena's friend. Brooke wore her "Belle" dress to match Gena's dress.Taylor BaucomSue does Gena's makeup for Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomSue cleans the mud off of Gena's wheels with a toothbrush to make sure it doesn't get on Gena's dress during pictures.Taylor BaucomGena and her friend, Mary, 16, look over the balcony after dinner at the Skaneateles Country Club in Skaneateles, NY.Taylor BaucomGena and Mary pose with Mr. Blake (left) and Mr. McGrath, West Genesee High School assistant principals, in the photo booth at Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomGena looks on as classmates dance at Junior Prom.Taylor BaucomGena works on a school assignment about telling her own story. After Gena's accident, doctors said she was lucky to be alive.Taylor Baucom