I went to Chicago again for Labor day weekend. There is no shortage of beautiful things to photograph there. On Sunday, I captured some great photos of adorable children playing in Crown Fountain, passionate musicians at the Chicago Jazz Festival, and a lot of wonderful architecture. That night, I went out alone to get a picture of the clock on the Chicago board of trade building, but on the way I saw a man in a wheelchair.
His head was down, parallel with the sidewalk below him. He was tucked into the most private corner he could find, facing inward like boy taking his punishment. He was sound asleep so I took my pictures a fast as I could and kept my distance as not to disturb him. It must be agonizing to have to sleep outside in a city where weekend murders can climb to double digits on a regular basis. I swear I have never hear a louder shutter from a camera before. I couldn’t have been in position more than 10 seconds before scurrying away to the comfort and safety of my 4 star hotel. While I slept comfortably, high above any problems below, he would stay there all night, vulnerable to whatever fate the city wanted to conjure up for him.
The next morning, I woke naturally, rested and refreshed. Upon venturing out again, this poor man was around the corner, not 30 feet from the spot he had just called home the night before. He was missing both legs from the knee down. The man was collecting money in a cup on the ground and I didn’t even throw a nickel. I walked past and tried not to make eye contact with the man who unknowing would be the subject of “Week 35 in Ryan’s photo 52 project.”
