40 Years, 40 Faces: Ryan

Alexandria, Virginia

Ryan is in the eighth grade. When he was ten, he was diagnosed with a high form of autism and needed an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Ryan’s parents advocated on his behalf with the school system and contacted legal aid for assistance to ensure the school provided the resources that his IEP required. Ryan loves art and drawing and hopes to start a YouTube gaming tutorial site one day. Ryan collects Funny Cat tee shirts and loves wearing them. Solving challenging puzzles that others can’t figure out is one of his many talents.

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“40 Years, 40 Faces” was a 2018 photography and storytelling project marking VPLC’s 40th anniversary. Photographer Glen McClure and writer Marshall McClure documented Virginians impacted by VPLC’s work, using portraits and interviews to highlight resilience, dignity, and the ongoing fight for justice.