Don Whittecar

As a victim my career centered on paying it forward through conducting research and development on Child Abuse. Specifically, creating employment opportunities in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts for those with disabilities. Stress forced me to change careers. Having degrees in both Psychology and Fine Arts, and with support from former and current colleagues and friends, I was able to start over, in photography. Capturing unique subjects in God’s creation with equally unique creativity, methods and tools. The success of my new profession quickly exceeded my expectations. Initially, by being invited to photograph for Yellowstone National Parks’ Wolf Reintroduction Project. Douglas W. Smith, the projects’ leader, would write, “My involvement with Don has lasted well beyond this project in that his bottom line is making a difference and that committment lasts far beyond the time he spent photographing here. This was one of his most important qualities that set him off from other people wanting to be involved in the Yellowstone Wolf Project.” Next, again by invitation, came working with The Center for Whale Research. My images of Orcas are used to identify the resident and transient pods that live in, or visit, the Puget Sound ecosystem. And to document their behavior. I was also honored to be selected as a media photographer for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF). AIBF, accepts only 500 balloons from the hundreds of applicants world wide making it the largest balloon fiesta in the world. Additionally, it is also the most photographed event in the world. Most noteable of my successes is being selected to receive the front cover and a personal profile in Leicaview, Leica Cameras’ international publication.

None of these accomplishments compares to the honor I received from the U.S. Department of Labor. As an artist with a disability, my success caught the attention of the Department’s National Center on Self-Employment and Disability. They were starting a new national program called the National Self-Employment Technical Assistance and Research Initiative. I was one of ten entrepreneurs with disabilities selected to contribute in performing research, interviews, presentations, and reviewing materials for the program. All of the activities of this initiative were gratifying, but those that provided me with personal contact with the disabled, their families and providers were the most rewarding. This contact came in mentoring, both individuals and small groups, presenting at local, regional and national meetings, conducting training seminars, and providing one on one support.