monthly photo • august 1999
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grace # 198-08-38
this photo is of an institutionalized multi-handicapped girl • she was always in her crib, fists clenched, palms tight against her chest • on a rare occasion she would open her eyes but could not follow my hand as i passed it over her face • on the day this photo was taken, the staff took her to the ocean • once on the beach i asked an aide to carry her to the water • he lowered her, and a wave broke near us. We were all splashed and tasted the salt on our lips.

i was curious what she felt, to be near such awesome force and primordial sound • will she be afraid? something was awakened in her • she instinctively trusted a universe she could not see • her body surrendered to it, her arm relaxed at the elbow and index finger reached to touch the water for herself • at that moment I clicked the shutter and realized that fear is learned.
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photograph © copyright a. menashe • humanistic-photography.com