A botched surgery left Steven Massong disabled and in a prolonged battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs over benefits he was owed. I traveled to Las Vegas to meet and photograph Steven for a an investigative project by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO).

POGO published its investigation on its website, which included several of the images from our photo session. For an organization trying to press for reform of the troubled Department of Veterans Affair, it was critical that POGO to tell the stories of people impacted by the federal government’s lack of oversight and accountability. Presenting photos of Steven add texture and depth to his case by showing he is not some abstract policy debate.