Restricted Yet Free

Throughout history, people with a biological condition that restricts some of their abilities have been termed “disabled.” For example, a person born blind would be termed “disabled” because they didn’t have the ability to see. A person who lost their arms in an accident would be considered “disabled,” as they lost the ability to use their hands for things like typing or playing the piano. Because of this connotation of uselessness (“disable” is, after all, the opposite of “enable”), the term “disabled” is often used with pity or condescension for the disabled person. Not only is this mentality rude towards people with disabilities, but it also portrays disabled people as people who can’t contribute to society as well as everyone else.
In fact, such restrictions are not just physical limitations, but could be mental, or environmental.
This prevents people with restrictions from trying to improve, suppressing their identity and their dreams.
Or is it?
“I choose not to place ‘DIS’ in my ability.” ― Robert M. Hensel.
In reality, many people throughout history have overcome their disabilities and achieved more than others thought was possible, such as Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking, by rejecting exactly that mentality. These inspiring heroes show that the line between “disabled” and “able-bodied” is much more blurred than many people think, and that it’s your mind, not your body, that decides what you can do. Without people like them, events like the Paralympics wouldn’t exist.
When Robert M. Hensel gave the above quote, I believe he meant something similar that restrictions don’t limit people from doing what they love to do. We should all strive to support each other in our hopes and dreams, no matter if they’re disabled or not.
My artwork vividly expresses this message.
The zip ties prevent the hands from moving and flexing to their full ability, representing a restriction. From the outside, people may only see the restriction of any forms, be it physical disability or limitation to reach out, causing them to pity the under privileged person. However, the hands are straining against their bonds, representing the struggle that people go through to achieve their dreams.
Standing out from the black-and-white hands are vivid, colorful animals shining with light. The animals have various injuries or conditions that represent restrictions but are still able to live their lives how they choose. The butterfly with tattered wings can still fly, the moose with broken antlers can still fight, and the cheetah with a prosthetic leg can still hunt. Their restrictions don’t stop them from achieving their dreams and inspiring others to do the same.
Although my artwork only portrays physical disabilities, it represents all restrictions, physical or mental, and the adversity all people could face during their lives but choose to fight.