Eva Snoijink
Eva Snoijink is known in Holland as Mevrouw Fluitekruidje.
She takes photos of children, purely as they are. In 2006 she met Pien, a young girl with Down Syndrome.
Eva realized that this little girl was just like any other child she’d had in her studio, and that her prejudices were based on nothing. She decided something had to be done and that’s how the project the “Upside van Down” was born.
Daniël >>> 10 years old
Down’s syndrome means to us: Love, purity, warmth, pride and joy.
Anne >>> 7 years old
Anne attends after-school care two afternoons a week. Other children asked what the matter with Anne was. The carer said that all children were different. Some have short hair, others long hair. Some have crooked teeth, others haven’t. It was said Anne is also different. A girl asked: If Anne is different, then is she gay?”
Mitch >>> 2 years old
Once a little girl looked into Mitch’s pram and said: “Wow, does that baby have stars in its eyes?” That’s right: the so-called Brushfield spots is one of the outward characteristics of Down’s syndrome. Beautiful to hear, as you’re used to people not being able to give a quick reaction on Mitch’s ‘looking different’. While I am just so terribly proud of my son.
Luna >>> 6 years old
I remember once when I was shopping several people asked me that same day: “Did you know beforehand?” At the end of the day I was completely fed up with this question. When we sat down to eat something my husband went to get some rolls from the counter and I took Luna out of her maxicosi. Suddenly I saw a tall, rather wild man with a tattoo walking towards me. I thought: “No, not that question again, did you know beforehand…..? But no, he said: “I hope everything will go well with you and your baby. It is such a beautiful child.” I was too astonished to reply. I often think of it though.
The book is now available in English. It is called “Down’s Upside”. Please click here for the English translation of the book.
http://www.www.fluitekruidje.nl
http://www.downsupside.com/index-uk.php?lang=en
Looking both ways 