Breaking the Barriers: Living with Disability in Lesotho

‘Breaking the Barriers’ explores the lives of ten people who are living with disabilities. The exhibition illustrates the challenges which face thousands of disabled people in the country of Lesotho. The deaf, physically disabled, visually impaired and intellectually disabled should enjoy the same human rights as every other Mosotho. Yet all too often they are marginalised from society, and are denied access to public buildings and transport, education, employment and social services.

The exhibition also portrays the determination and dignity of people with disabilities. Many have broken the negative stereotypes given to them by society. They have overcome the numerous challenges against them and are able to successfully work, earn a living and enjoy a family life. Some have gone on to campaign for the rights of the disabled.

Eileen O’Leary – Artist’s Statement

I have been photographing professionally since 1985, working as a freelance photojournalist documenting social issues around the world and endeavoring to make social change through the medium of photography and the written word. When I lived in California I was the first photojournalist to respond to the United States Invasion of Panama and document the devastation inflicted on the people of Chorillo. The exhibition of that work was shown in the Ansel Adams Gallery in Carmel and the Photographer’s Gallery in Dublin.

Whilst in San Francisco I documented the AIDS pandemic that was decimating the lives of so many young men. Twenty one years later I have just returned from Lesotho, a small country in South Africa where it is estimated that over 50% of the population are HIV positive. In Angola, Romania, Pakistan and Lesotho I am left with the abiding memory of children who have no parents: children who live on the street, children in hospitals and orphanages, children who are caring for their younger siblings: children who don’t have an advocate. The role of the Documentary Photographer is that of a witness; my job is to photograph an issue, analyse the facts and inform as many people as possible so that they can make a difference through personal or collective action. Photography is a powerful political tool that enables people to bring to the attention of the public issues that are not being sufficiently covered in the media.

In Ireland I am involved in working with community groups and individuals to teach them the skills of photography. The skills bring personal confidence and more importantly, a recognition that documenting traditions and culture is vital to understanding who we are. I believe that my photography is 90% communication and 10% pressing the shutter. Because I have a passion for this art form, and because I love to teach and encourage others to enjoy this important medium, I am committed to passing on the skills and helping others to leave an important archive of their own lives, and the communities in which they live, wherever in the world that might be.

Eileen O’Leary has been the subject of an RTE Townlands programme ‘The Photo Lady’ and has compiled and edited 12 publications with rural communities in Cork & Kerry

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