Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorothy Sutton.
Hi Dorothy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins at birth but to limit the mountain of stories I have, I’ll just stick to the few notable ones. I was always an introverted, curious, observant and optimistic child. I always wanted to know why and put my hands on things. I still do in some aspects today. I lost my hearing at age seven, ended up receiving tube implants and regained my hearing at age seven. I remember that exact day and can recall where I was when I heard sounds again. It was a beautiful moment in the blue hour of the morning. I heard hollow sounds and began making tiny noises that grew to louder noises once I understood it was real.
I went through five years of speech therapy before I was discharged. Then found out that a year later, there was an issue with my spine. I had been diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and required extensive surgery as soon as possible. During that summer, in a span of three months, my grandmother had passed away, my mother was newly unemployed and I was gearing up for the worst scoliosis case the surgeon said they had ever seen at this hospital. I received 28 screws, 2 rods, and lung reconstruction because my spine’s curvature had fused with my right lung, even pushing most of my organs to one side too. I had to relearn all motor functions by having physical therapy sessions for the following years to come.
It was a daunting moment that had me realize, at an early age, I wasn’t going to have an ordinary life like the rest of my peers. I think about this quote I heard that says ordinary women rarely make history. In some odd way that made me feel special because I kissed my ordinary life goodbye the day I was born. And I wasn’t even mad at it because I knew something extraordinary was on the horizon for me.
This, what I went through, is all a reflection of the work I do today. I live to inspire people in different communities through photographs and writing. I can empathize with someone and imagine or try to deeply understand what they are feeling or what it’s like to be in their situation. Most of the time I can relate.
For this reason, I started The Holy Hippie Club. It’s a giver I call it. It is supposed to give people light in dark times and give freedom from mental, physical and spiritual bondage. Coming out of what I came through required counseling and me seeking help professionally. I wanted to create a safe online space for people to heal and feel wildly loved by God. I gave it the name Holy Hippie because my healing came from being outdoors constantly with my great-grandma. She was a hippie at heart with a love for Christ and people. She would sit in her chair barefoot, singing to the lizards and staring at the clouds for hours. Then there was me laying on the grass barefoot, staring at her escaping into those clouds. It’s one of my favorite memories of her before her passing.
I got where I am today because of her and many of the other women in my life. They were all pivotal in my growth and journey because they too knew what this life was at an earlier age than most. I am optimistic and I lean in knowing that the work I do today will matter in someone’s life tomorrow. That I am taking what I was given and creating something extraordinary. Overall my desire is to connect, be free, be wild and let others feel that as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is this book that has a collection of poems by Tupac Shakur. It’s titled “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” and it’s one of my favorite poetry books. It’s a poetic representation of the life struggles of 2Pac. It acknowledges the harsh conditions in which he was raised and thus the miracle that he was able to rise from those conditions. I think that is why I love the book so much because I see myself in his words. I can visually recall instances in my life where I didn’t have a way for a rose to blossom out of my concrete, but still, a rose bloomed.
I believe, like everything in life, you have to take the good with the bad. Life is a balancing act and I found myself on tightropes throughout my life. Despite this, I always say, “you have to find your light in every dark corner.” For me, this road has been both rocky and smooth. I know what it feels like to have nothing and plenty. I’ve had to do homework assignments in the dark, I’ve had to shower at other family members’ homes to be clean for the week, I’ve had to walk and bus to the other side of town to run errands and bring food home because we didn’t have a car and taxis were expensive. I disenrolled from my university to be a full-time caregiver providing extra support to my family at home. Plus, I was diagnosed with depression, OCD and generalized anxiety disorder in 2017. Nevertheless, the smooth roads still found their way to me and existed throughout that darkness. For instance, I’ve gone on memorable adventures with those I love, I’ve swam in the Atlantic ocean for my first time, I’ve won exhibitions at art galleries for my documentary photography. I’ve witnessed people be inspired by my photos and my writing. I’ve loved and loved again.
I think because of the experiences I’ve had it set me up in preparation for handling whatever life throws my way. Becoming flexible for life to do what it needs to do in order to further my storyline so to speak. Now I don’t know how but I believe its purpose lies within both light and dark, rocky and smooth. And yet, through all of my journey, here I am living despite it all.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is a collection of times lived and once was. I photograph to escape and write to dream. I have a traveler’s heart and an unstamped passport. So until I am able to visit all the places I desire to go, I go outside my door and capture what’s right in front of me. In some ways, I get the chance to learn more about my environment and the people around me. I am a photographer and wellness blogger who mainly specializes in documentary, environmental enrichment and mental health advocacy. As a photographer and blogger, I wanted to show people different ways of looking at the same thing plus offer support to live wild and free.
One thing I am very proud of is my growth to be vulnerable and open. Many times in faith-based culture, there is no acceptance for therapy, otherness or freedom of expression. I use to restrict myself and tried to shape myself to fit for the approval of people. However, along the way, I knew in order to truly heal, I had to open myself up and let it all go. Plus, if I wanted to be a support for others, I needed to first do this.
All of this motivated me to create The Holy Hippie Club. What sets me apart from other similar clubs is that it’s open for everyone and values the refreshing nature of freedom in Christ. I wanted a club where everyone could learn from each other, advocate for the environment and mental health. I identify with this because I am a hippie at heart and care for humanity and nature.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risky moves require bravery. It means you might be scared taking that risk but you continue through that fear. I don’t consider myself to be a frequent risk-taker because I like to calculate all possible outcomes in situations. However, every now and then, my spontaneous side comes out and even in that if it’s harmless or a low threat level I absolutely go for it. Why not. I think in some self-preserving way we all have gut feelings of what’s worth the jump in. In the times I’ve taken risk, it’s come out worth it and also regretted. I choose to lean into risk where I know my skills are strong enough to support the decision and withstand any disappointment. Overall, if you sense good can come from it, go for it and even if nothing does keep taking them.
Contact Info:
- Email: Dorothyjanelphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holyhippieclub/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheHolyHippieClub/?ref=py_c
