Shima and Shiva

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.