I, like many others, have found this an interesting and informative thread.
I guess, though, that will never know if the little girl in the photo is :
a) sadly deceased
b) blind and / or disabled
c) Terrified by the photography equipment, and thus not co-operating
d) Just had a tantrum as refusing to co-operate, thus standing stiffly, eyes closed etc! (Havent all parents seen that!)
I don't think any can be ruled out for sure, nor any proved to be the case beyond all doubt.