Look at these cool people! Their bodies might hurt on a chronic basis, yet here they are: smashing it. Reminding us that people are more than their diagnosis. The identities of those with invisible diseases and disabilities are often erased. That’s not to say that getting a diagnosis isn’t validating as it is important and can be empowering. But people are more than a statistic. Here they are smashing stigmas of their pain by being creative, active, reflective, empowered and entirely themselves. They are not defined by the label of having a chronic condition. Here they are doing cool shit like the cool people they are. Whether you're public or private about your health, remember you're more than your diagnosis.
This is a project I started to celebrate the people around me. It’s a digital portrait series that shows each person in their element, being their strong, quirky, confident selves.
People in image
From left to right
Top row: Elliza Skinner, Merryn Chenoweth, Samantha Martin, Jamila Main
Bottom row: Maya Tregonning, Evie Clayton, Leah Filley, Pearl Tia Pearce-thompson, Ellie Mills
Image description: This image is a digital artwork with a background filled with blue, yellow, orange and purple dots. It has 9 people in the foreground. 4 in the top row and 5 down the bottom. Top row, first person is hanging upside down from a black rope suspended in their knee. They are wearing a red crop top, black bike shorts and have brown hair. Second person is excitedly kicking their foot and stretching their arms. They are wearing a cream polka dot dress, black tights, black runners and their hair is brown. Third person is holding their arms up to their face, covering their mouth. They are wearing a blue dress and have orange hair. The fourth person is holding their sunglasses on their head and is bending their knee to kick their leg behind them. They are wearing long earrings, a grey top with a black jacket, white pants, white shoes and have dark brown hair. On the bottom row, the first person is in a squatted position with their hands in their pockets. They are wearing brown sunglasses, yellow overalls and have light brown hair. The second person is in a handstand which looks like the number 7. Their feet to their bottom makes a horizontal line and they have one knee bent up. They are wearing blue socks, black leggings, a blue top and have green hair. The third person is sitting with their legs crossed with their hands in their pockets. They are wearing a brown dress, a pink jacket, a grey headband and have brown hair. The fourth person is standing on one leg with their other leg behind them at hip height. Their arms are in an 'L' shape. They are wearing red bike shorts, a red and orange crop top and have dark brown hair. The fifth person is facing the left while holding a yellow spray painting can. They are wearing a black flowy skirt, a purple top, hoop earrings and have pink hair.
