Shima and Shiva

© Azadeh Besharati - Shima and Shiva are twins, they were born in a village in north of Iran. © Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project © Azadeh Besharati - The only things from their past are some pictures which are kept in their grandfather’s album. View all images ↓
View all images ↓

This project tells the story of twin disabled sisters who have lived in a nursing home since the age of five, constantly fighting for life and hope.

This series tells the story of twin sisters, Shima and Shiva, born in 1996 in a village in Guilan, Iran. When they were one year old, they were diagnosed with a genetic condition that caused convulsions. Since then, they have been unable to walk. On the same day, their father passed away. When they turned five, their mother could no longer care for them, and they were sent to a nursing home for the elderly and disabled.

Life in the institution wasn’t easy. The strict rules left little room for the small freedoms they cherished. They wanted to stay up late, travel, and fall in love, but the system only provided for their basic needs—food and shelter—but never their dreams. After 13 years, they made the bold decision to leave and live with friends, contributing to rent with the help of their mother.

In 2020, Shima passed away. She went to bed one night and never woke up. She left behind her other half, Shiva, with nothing but sorrow and memories. But life kept moving forward. In September 2023, Shiva married Majid. Wearing her wedding dress wasn’t just about the ceremony—it was a symbol of hope and the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

This series is about facing hardships, searching for happiness, and pushing forward. Despite the loss and the limitations life imposes on her, Shiva keeps going—a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope endures.

© Azadeh Besharati - Shima and Shiva are twins, they were born in a village in north of Iran.
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Shima and Shiva are twins, they were born in a village in north of Iran.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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Since the age of five, Shima and Shiva resided in the nursing home. These folders are their records during their time in the nursing house.

© Azadeh Besharati - The only things from their past are some pictures which are kept in their grandfather’s album.
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The only things from their past are some pictures which are kept in their grandfather’s album.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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The grandfather’s house was the only place they went when they wanted to leave the sadness of their world behind. However, the grandfather was old and ill..

© Azadeh Besharati - On 23rd Birthday, they were confused with signs of convulsion.
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On 23rd Birthday, they were confused with signs of convulsion.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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The courtyard of the nursing home in Rasht (north of Iran), serving as a space for elderly and disabled individuals, both physically and mentally.

© Azadeh Besharati - At various points, Shima and, more frequently, Shiva attempted suicide using a razor blade.
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At various points, Shima and, more frequently, Shiva attempted suicide using a razor blade.

© Azadeh Besharati - This is Shiva's handwriting. They made the decision to drop out of school.
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This is Shiva's handwriting. They made the decision to drop out of school.

© Azadeh Besharati - Shima and Shiva at the Rasht Nursing House, the place where they were living there more than a decade.
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Shima and Shiva at the Rasht Nursing House, the place where they were living there more than a decade.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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The twins thought it was normal to use one toothbrush. Bad habits were not due to lack of money, they had a lot of friends to help them to buy a lot of toothbrushes, but they thought it was normal and one toothbrush was enough. The location of this photo is grandpa's bathroom. The house doesn’t exist anymore

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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At the age of fifteen, Leyla gave birth to twins, after one year, she lost his husband in an accident, and also her twin's convulsions started. Now, she is the mom of 4 children, wife of the other man. A man who doesn't like the twins. He does not like Leila to spend too much time with them, however, Leyla is forced to move like a shadow in her current life and her previous life.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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The twins shared with me that after their first convulsion at the age of 1, their father left the house in a state of sadness and confusion, ultimately meeting his end in a tragic accident. During a visit to the cemetery with a family friend, she expressed the belief that if their father were alive, the twins wouldn't have such a challenging life.

© Azadeh Besharati - Shima in the nursing room. Azita , Fateme and Zeinab are 3 other girls in this room.
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Shima in the nursing room. Azita , Fateme and Zeinab are 3 other girls in this room.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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In this photo Shima is sleeping in her friend's house, Fati. She was telling me about how much she likes to sleep beside her mother and fell asleep.Shims&shiva wished they could share their bed with their mom again and listen to her voice when she sang lullabies for them.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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Nevertheless, death arrived unexpectedly. Shima went to sleep and never woke up again, right next to her sister, at the age of 24. Because of respiratory problems.

© Azadeh Besharati - Seeing Shima's gravestone reassures Shiva, although she can not hold back her tears every time she goes to the cemetery.
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Seeing Shima's gravestone reassures Shiva, although she can not hold back her tears every time she goes to the cemetery.

© Azadeh Besharati - Shiva likes to spend time with her friends most of the time, she likes to go to cafes to smoke shisha.
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Shiva likes to spend time with her friends most of the time, she likes to go to cafes to smoke shisha.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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Shiva's new chapter in life began with the arrival of Majid. Having known each other for several years, Majid and Shiva decided to get married. Majid shares that he had dreamt of a girl in a wheelchair before meeting Shiva.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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Shiva and Majid's wedding ceremony took place in a hall in September 2023, organized by Shiva's friends. Shiva wore a white bridal gown, and Majid was happy to fulfill Shiva's greatest life wish. Before the ceremony, Shiva constantly remembered Shima.

© Azadeh Besharati - Image from the Shima and Shiva photography project
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At the beginning of her new life, Shiva feels a greater sense of tranquility. She still visits her friends' homes to create more diverse moments for herself. With Majid, they strive to be happy and continue to embrace their right to live life to the fullest.

Shima and Shiva by Azadeh Besharati

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