When Oslo-based photographer Sara Marie Ramsoe started out at photography school, she was tasked an assignment that required her to "follow a person with some sort of social difference" in her society, for a period of 1 week.
Ramsoe's neighbor Jon—a multi-handicapped young boy—happened to live close by. With no eyes, Jon is not able to communicate with the outside world. He is unable to learn words and he cannot walk or move his body very much. His loving family communicates with him via 'tone of voice and touch.'
After summoning up her courage, Ramsoe asked 11-year-old Jon's family if she would be able to document Jon's life for her assignment—and they agreed.
According to Ramsoe, her aim was to "understand Jon and his feelings," and that it took "a while" before she was able to "read his very special body languages." She did not start documenting till after she got to know him and his family, when they were more comfortable with having her around them. That was how she was able to get "closer" and make more "intimate moments" with her camera.
Quite frankly, the result of her project is a humbling, poignant and beautiful look into the different life that Jon leads. Her work brings out the innocence and rawness that comes with being Jon. It also reveals the loving people that Jon is surrounded by.
Take some time to have a glimpse into Jon's life:
[via Featureshoot.com, images via Sara Marie Ramsoe and Jon's family]