Published TUESDAY October 7, 2025: 'See Me, Hear Me: Ocean And Asher' Photography by 2024 Alan Hagman Grant Recipient ZUMA Press contract photojournalist ROBIN RAYNE: For decades, disability narratives have been shaped by outsiders, stories told about, rather than by, those living the experience. See Me, Hear Me: Disability Nation is an in-depth documentary photojournalism project that gives voice to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to the families, caregivers, and advocates who fight every day to ensure they are seen, heard, and valued. These selected images from Robin's ongoing documentary project offer a glimpse into lives too often overlooked and devalued. For over 30 years, Rayne's photography has documented the disability community with depth, empathy, authenticity, and an unflinching eye. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: Ocean And Asher'
© zReportage.com Issue #1008 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY October 7, 2025: 'See Me, Hear Me: Ocean And Asher' Photography by 2024 Alan Hagman Grant Recipient ZUMA Press contract photojournalist ROBIN RAYNE: For decades, disability narratives have been shaped by outsiders, stories told about, rather than by, those living the experience. See Me, Hear Me: Disability Nation is an in-depth documentary photojournalism project that gives voice to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to the families, caregivers, and advocates who fight every day to ensure they are seen, heard, and valued. These selected images from Robin's ongoing documentary project offer a glimpse into lives too often overlooked and devalued. For over 30 years, Rayne's photography has documented the disability community with depth, empathy, authenticity, and an unflinching eye. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: Ocean And Asher'
OCEAN REED, 16, closes his eyes to calm over-stimulation due to his autism while his mother Samantha tends to his medically-fragile younger brother Asher, who is non-speaking, with Down syndrome, and heart issues. Sammy and her partner, Riley, are raising two sons with developmental disabilities. 'There are always new challenges, new struggles, new milestones, and new lessons,' she says.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
SAMATHA REED struggles to brush her son ASHER's teeth. Asher, who is seven years old, is non-speaking and has Down syndrome, as well as other medical conditions.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
OCEAN REED closes his eyes to guard against over-stimulation as he waits with his mother SAMANTHA for a tour to begin through the Baton Rouge Zoo. Ocean is 16, tall, gentle, and autistic. He loves animals and dreams of becoming a zoologist someday.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
SAMANTHA REED attempts feed her seven year-old son ASHER with a bottle. Asher is medically fragile, with heart problems and Down syndrome. Samatha and her partner Riley take turns as his care-giver.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
ASHER REED, 7, clutches a favorite stuffed bear as he dances in the family's cramped mobile home. Asher is non-speaking, with Down syndrome, and heart issues, and must be home schooled due to his vulnerability and past injuries in the public school's special education classrooms.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
RILEY RUNYON plays with son Asher with his toys in the family's mobile home. His parents opted to home-school Asher, who has Down syndrome and is non-speaking, after injuries from suspected mistreatment at a public school were discovered.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
RILEY RUNYON sits with his son ASHER, 7, at home after a night in the emergency room due to Asher's dangerously high fever. Asher has Down syndrome.non-speaking, with heart problems and multple medical issues and is much smaller in size than typical seven-year old boys.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
OCEAN REED, 16, feeds a bottle to younger brother ASHER, 7, in the family' cramped mobile home. Both have developmental disabilities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
OCEAN REED, 16, waits in the early morning for the special education bus to his high school, where he is mainstreamed in several classes.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
OCEAN REED, 16, who experiences autism, presses his eyes shut and submerges his ears to self-regulate to restore calm and balance as his parents play with seven year-old brother ASHER in the family pool. SAMANTHA REED and partner RILEY RUNYON have raised their sons Ocean and Asher, who each have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
OCEAN REED, 16, mingles with goats at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Ocean experiences autism, and while shy with people, is fascinated by fish and wildlife.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
SAMANTHA REED watches as her 16 year-old son OCEAN mingles with goats at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Ocean experiences autism, and while shy with people, is fascinated by fish and wildlife.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
ASHER REED, 7, is entertained by a children's video as his mother Samantha cleans the small mobile home.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
ASHER REED, 7, clutches a favorite stuffed bear as he dances in the family's cramped mobile home. Asher is non-speaking, with Down syndrome, and heart issues, and must be home schooled due to his vulnerability and past injuries in the public school's special education classrooms.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
ASHER REED clutches his shoes, mimicking dancers on a children's music video on a television in the family's cramped mobile home. Asher is non-speaking, with Down syndrome, and heart issues, and must be home schooled due to his vulnerability and past injuries in the public school's special education classrooms.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Samantha ''Sammy'' Reed stands near a list of daily ingredients for Asher's liquid meals is clipped to the family's refrigerator. Asher, who is 7, has Down syndrome was born with heart complications and is non-verbal. 'Small in stature, but larger than life,' Sammy says, chuckling. 'He's my messy mess.'
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
ASHER REED clutches his shoes, mimicking dancers on a children's music video on a television in the family's cramped mobile home. Asher is non-speaking, with Down syndrome, and heart issues, and must be home schooled due to his vulnerability and past injuries in the public school's special education classrooms.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
RILEY RUNYON rests with his son ASHER, 7, at home after a sleepless night in the emergency room due to Asher's dangerously high fever. Asher has Down syndrome with heart problems and is much smaller in size than typical seven-year old boys.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
