Sat Nov 09 15:09:28 UTC 2024: ## Costa Rican Youth with Visual Impairments Navigate ‘Unseen Paths’
**Heredia, Costa Rica** – A new photo essay by Costa Rican photographer Francisco Lázaro highlights the challenges and resilience of young people living with visual impairments in the country. As part of the Safe Photography Project, Lázaro’s work focuses on two 13-year-olds, Camila and Luis, who are navigating their everyday lives with vision disabilities.
Camila, diagnosed with microphthalmia and bilateral cataracts at two months old, has undergone multiple surgeries and experienced a significant loss of vision in her right eye. Luis, born with limited vision due to ocular albinism, nystagmus and strabismus, has been wearing glasses since age one and attended a school for children with disabilities before joining a regular school.
Lázaro’s photography captures the unique perspectives of his subjects through extreme close-ups and long exposures, inviting viewers to enter a world often perceived as limited but filled with strength.
“These ‘caminos invisibles,’ or unseen paths, highlight the challenges of accessibility, which I see as a form of violence promoting exclusion,” explains Lázaro. “The photos showcase the courage of Camila and Luis as they adapt to their surroundings and strive for independence.”
Both teenagers benefit from the unwavering support of their families and friends, creating a safe environment for them to grow and develop without fear of misunderstanding or rejection.
“Luis Diego is a very disciplined young man,” shares his mother Andrea Cedeño Suárez. “He can cook, do everyday tasks, plays football, rides a bicycle, and draws very well. He gets easily frustrated if he can’t do something, but that’s just part of his development.”
Lázaro’s work emphasizes the importance of providing better educational, social, and health opportunities for all children, ensuring they can enjoy a safe and stable childhood. His photos stand as a testament to the resilience and adaptation of young people living with visual impairments, urging society to recognize their strengths and create a more inclusive world.
First Piper 