Illinois Photographer of the Year portfolio: 2nd place

( William DeShazer, Chicago Tribune / December 14, 2011 )

James Dahan, of Lisle, Ill., rubs his eyes while going through an eye exam at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Ill.. Dahan, a marine, was exposed to over 30 improvised explosive devices while in Iraq and suffers from mild traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. Along with that comes headaches and vision problems that have changed his everyday life.