Rare Diseases: Power of Photography

Deborah Leydorf is an American photojournalist living in Geneva, Switzerland, who also works in the United Nations community as an External Relations Officer. Prior to moving to Europe in 2004, Ms. Leydorf worked as a disability rights advocate and fundraiser for the World Institute on Disability (WID) and also worked in the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) community primarily as a fund-raiser.

Having a rare disease shapes how one sees the world. Ms Leydorf is producing a photo narrative project on the nature of rare disease and how it “… may project our inner worlds colored by the experience of illness through photography and words”. This project will form her thesis for a Masters in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, at the London College of Communication. Ms. Leydorf describes her project:

“I am embarking on a quest with the aid of my camera to grasp how rare chronic illness affects one’s philosophic outlook and perspectives. I aim to heighten understanding of the experience of rare disease for others. A group of about eight people will have an opportunity to participate in this photo project, which will strive to capture each person’s unique biography through images and words. Concurrently, participants will be able to tell their own story on the project blog, I Think Therefore I Am.”

Ms Leydorf is interested in participants for the photography project that live in or near Geneva or London, at least 18 years of age, and have a rare autoimmune type disease. Those looking to be a part of the project will be asked to discuss it by Skype/Facetime or in person before participation can be confirmed. If one is interested, please contact Ms. Leydorf at dleydorf@yahoo.com.

Photograph courtesy of Deborah Leydorf.

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