Mysterious & Devastating: Mysterious & Devastating

September 13, 2014 - Lapul - Ocwida village - Okot David, 18, is washed by his mother (Apoto Ellen, 45). Okot represents a severe case of Nodding Syndrome; he has been ill with it since 2003. He's tied to his living quarters 24-hours a day, seven days a week. At an advanced stage the syndrome causes its victims to wander aimlessly, hence families will tie the person with a rope or chain to prevent them from getting lost, injured or in the case of a young woman raped.
Mysterious & Devastating, Pader District, Uganda

September 13, 2014 - Lapul - Ocwida village - Okot David, 18, is washed by his mother (Apoto Ellen, 45). Okot represents a severe case of Nodding Syndrome; he has been ill with it since 2003. He's tied to his living quarters 24-hours a day, seven days a week. At an advanced stage the syndrome causes its victims to wander aimlessly, hence families will tie the person with a rope or chain to prevent them from getting lost, injured or in the case of a young woman raped.