Twins from Merthyr Tydfil are gearing up to exhibit their photographic work at Llandough Hospital.
Rhodri and Lewys Watkins, 20, live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, sometimes shortened to DMD or just Duchenne. It is a rare genetic disease that primarily affects males, and causes the muscles in the body to become weak and damaged over time, and is eventually fatal.
They said: “We are really excited that our work will be shared in this way as it raises awareness of the difficulties that people living with a disability face on a daily basis.”
The photographs, which were taken in public spaces and in nature, depict the challenges faced by people living with a disability, and will be exhibited from January to April 2023.
For example, one photograph by Lewys, titled ‘Trying to go up in the world’, is an image of the bottom of an escalator in the town centre, with a person standing on a step at the top. Lewys said: “I wanted to capture this at a low angle, and emphasise how imposing it can look. The person at the top is symbolic of the average person who doesn’t have to deal with these barriers, and how society may overlook access for wheelchair users as below them.”
A photograph by Rhodri titled ‘My Head Is Spinning’ illustrates a revolving door at the library. Rhodri explained: “As an avid reader, this is somewhere I’d love to be able to visit. The revolving door is a beautiful piece of architecture, but also a barrier to my access. I took a shot of the door statically, followed by a number whilst it was spinning. I blended these together to give the impression of movement, and desaturated them to give it a ghostly look.”
The lads recently completed a Foundation Degree Photography at Merthyr Tydfil College, a Campus for the University of South Wales, and will be exhibiting photographs from their work, titled ‘Unexplored’ at the hospital, part of the Cardiff and the Vale Health Board.
“Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a constant struggle as we are dependent on family and carers 24 hours a day. Life is a constant challenge.
“Duchenne muscular dystrophy definitely impacts our ability to take photos but with today’s technology and the help of a learning coach (who is also a keen photographer) we have managed to finish the 2-year course.”
Rachel Salmon, neuromuscular family care advisor, South East Wales, supports the twins. She got in touch with the gallery and media department at Cardiff and Vale Health Board to find out if they would exhibit the boys’ work. She said: “It is such an exciting and powerful piece of work and something that I feel has to be showcased.”
Charles Horton, Regional Development Manager for Wales, South West and West Midlands at Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity that supports people living with Duchenne and other muscular dystrophies, said: “It’s so brilliant that Rhodri and Lewys have completed their photography course and will get a chance to show their work to the world. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an incredibly rare and challenging condition to live with, so it is great that the lads are using their photography skills as a way to not only be creative but also raise awareness.”
