‘There are a lot of myths about people with Down’s syndrome not knowing what it is to love. But Minya and Tatyana wear rings and call each other husband and wife’
In Russia, people with special needs usually live isolated lives. They’re unable to study, work or socialise and rarely have friends. Families often keep them out of sight. But I found a place where everything is different. Svetlana is a small village four hours away from St Petersburg. Around 40 people live there in four large houses organised around a farm with a dairy, a bakery and a sauna. The community was established in 1992 as part of the international Camphill movement.
Based on the principles of anthroposophy, the latter was founded in Scotland in 1939. There is now a network of more than 100 residential communities around the world providing care for people with disabilities, mental health issues and other special needs. They make up the majority of the people who live in Svetlana. Then there are permanent members of staff and volunteers, who come from all over the world to help. But everyone there is simply referred to as a resident. The village receives occasional governmental funding but is mostly sustained by private donations and subsistence farming. Residents work on the farm, or in the bakery, selling cheese curds and the like to neighbouring villages.
Original Article : HERE
from AllAbout https://allabout.pw/mary-gelmans-best-photograph-love-in-a-village-for-special-needs/
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