Benedikt Ziegler, Germany
Germany: When an “old person’s disease” torments children
Rheumatism – that’s something only old people get, isn’t it? Unfortunately, it isn’t. It affects approx. 30,000 infants, children and young people in Germany alone, making it one of the three most widespread chronic diseases among children. Rheumatism is neither easy to diagnose or to treat. It can affect joints and bones or, in more serious cases, internal organs or even the iris of the eye.
Young German photographer Benedikt Ziegler, a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund, accompanied young rheumatism patients over a longer period: at home and with friends, in specialist clinics and support groups, during and after therapy sessions with water, cold and movement.
As a silent observer, Ziegler captures the patients’ emotions and shows what barriers and handicaps they have overcome, shows their pain, but also happy moments of joy and recreation. He wants to provide information and at the same time raise awareness for a fate of which the wider public is still mostly unaware.
Curriculum Vitae: Benedikt Ziegler (photography student, UAS Dortmund)
Benedikt Ziegler (geb. 1990), lebt und studiert seit 2011 in Dortmund. 2013 war er Teil eines Austauschprojektes im Balkan und Georgien, in Zuge dessen er seinen fotografischen Schwerpunkt auf Fotojournalismus legte. Im Jahr 2014 vertiefte er seine Bildsprache mit der Teilnahme an der internationalen Fotoklasse an der Danish School of Media and Journalism. Durch seine eigene Betroffenheit motiviert, fertigt er Projekte rund um das Thema „Krankheit“ im essayistischen Stil an. Im Frühjahr 2016 erlangte er den Bachelor of Arts und befindet sich derzeit im Masterstudium.