Wunschkind: Family Portraits Featuring Children with Disabilities

The long-term photo project “Wunschkind” features eleven families who, following a diagnosis during pregnancy, made a conscious decision to have a child with a genetic condition or disability.

Nine out of ten pregnant women decide against having a baby with Down syndrome or a disability. Berlin-based photographer Klaus Heymach has portrayed families who, after receiving a diagnosis during pregnancy, made a conscious decision to give birth to such a child. Their portraits and stories are on display at Schöneberg Town Hall.

The number of newborns with genetic abnormalities is expected to continue to decline. Since 2022, health insurance companies have been covering the costs of a corresponding blood test. Eleven Berlin families are part of the series. Photos and interview transcripts offer insights into the sometimes challenging, often wonderful, and at times completely normal lives of these families. The first portraits were taken between 2019 and 2020. Five years later, all the families had their photos taken again. The series is sponsored by Aktion Mensch and supported by the association Eltern beraten Eltern von Kindern mit und ohne Behinderung.

Runtime: Thu, 16/04/2026 to Fri, 15/05/2026

Takes place here:

• Rathaus Schöneberg