Winners of the EURORDIS Photo Contest 2016!
The EURORDIS Photo Contest is an opportunity to visually highlight what it means to live with a rare disease.
The Contest grows every year! This year nearly 400 people from 54 countries around the world submitted a photo to be in with the chance of winning in one of the three categories:
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The Public Vote, voted for by the public via the EURORDIS website
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The Instagram Award, as chosen by National Geographic photographer Marcus Bleasdale from all the photos submitted on Instagram
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The Expert’s Choice, as chosen by professional fashion photographer Rick Guidotti
And the winners are…
Over 80,000 votes were cast in the EURORDIS Photo Contest 2016. Thank you to all of you who sent in your photos and took the time to vote! You can see the full gallery of photos here.
The Public Vote
The winner of the Public Vote is a photo of Briana from Romania entitled “Feel free”. She is enjoying a moment of happiness during her short vacation at the Black Sea. She is living with spastic tetraparesis and high myopia.
The Instagram Prize
The Instagram Prize goes to a photo called ‘The path to the dream’ featuring Lomeiko. She is 5 years old and living with osteogenesis imperfecta. The photo shows her participating in the Toners Children’s Fashion Day in Belarus.
Judge Marcus Bleasedale commented, “I love this image because it really shows the dignity, drive and independence of Lomeiko. The image is a testament to the support network around her but also to the dreams she has.”
The Expert’s Choice
The winning Expert’s Choice photo is ‘Joy in the storm’ picturing Rowen and his mum Christel from the USA. Rowen is living with Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III).
Judge Rick Guidotti said, “Instead of being overwhelmed by the pending storm clouds, darkness, difficulties and challenges on the horizon, we are empowered by brightness, joy, spirit and passion. The dramatic sky defines the life portrayed. We see a beautiful boy with purple hair fearlessly lifted high into the storm clouds by his loving and proud mother. Here we see perfection. Here we see, wrapped in glorious and magical light, Rowen. Wow!”
Eva Bearryman, Communications Manager, EURORDIS