Frankie Jo Abernathy

Frankie Jo Abernathy died of cystic fibrosis on June 9, 2007, at the age of 25.

She was a purse designer, and a cast member on, "The Real World" (MTV, 2004).

During her time on the show, Frankie exhibited symptoms of her genetic disorder, and her disease became a significant part of the show's storyline.

MTV credited her with helping raise national awareness of cystic fibrosis.

I made this photograph of her for a clothing-line advertisement, just after she appeared on the cover of a tattoo magazine.

Frankie was delightful, and we chatted about her purse designs, but not about her health. At one point she said, "Tomorrow is a privilege, so live today like tomorrow isn't happening."

Photograph © 2005 Larry F. Levenson. 

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