In Costa Rica, about 18 percent of the population lives with a disability, facing challenges in accessing education, work, and public spaces. Visual impairments are among the disabilities affecting individuals, including 23-year-old Rodrigo who lives with keratoconus. Interested in how young people with visual disabilities navigate their daily lives and pursue their dreams, Rodrigo decided to focus on these “unseen paths” for the Safe Photography Project, part of a global campaign to end violence against children.
Through his photo essay, Rodrigo aims to illustrate the challenges and courage of two 13-year-olds, Camila and Luis, with visual impairments, as they strive for independence in a world that often lacks accessibility and empathy. Both Camila and Luis have received support from friends and family, providing a sense of safety that allows them to grow and develop without fear of misunderstanding or rejection.
Camila, diagnosed with microphthalmia and bilateral cataracts as a baby, lost most of the vision in her right eye at the age of nine. She has had to make adjustments in her life, such as increasing font sizes on her devices and improving lighting at home to be more autonomous. Luis was born with limited vision due to ocular albinism, nystagmus, and strabismus, initially believed to be blind. Despite this, he has flourished as an adolescent, engaging in everyday tasks, sports like football, and artistic pursuits like drawing.
Rodrigo has used photography techniques such as extreme close-ups and long exposures to depict the perspectives of Camila and Luis. These techniques provide an intimate view of the subjects and convey how they see their surroundings. Through these photos, Rodrigo seeks to show that visual disability is not just a limitation but also a source of strength, capturing moments of resilience, adaptation, and personal growth that invite viewers to reflect on the deeper meaning of visual impairment.
By highlighting the journeys of Camila and Luis, Rodrigo’s photo essay showcases the resilience and determination of young people with visual disabilities in navigating a world that often lacks accessibility and understanding. Despite facing challenges, both Camila and Luis have flourished with the support of their loved ones and have found ways to pursue their passions and independence. Through his photography, Rodrigo invites viewers to see beyond the limitations of visual disability and appreciate the strength and growth that can come from facing adversity.
