It is human nature to look to those around us to find similarities and form connections. It is also human nature to feel uncomfortable with things we don’t understand or are different from what we know. In most cases, we first notice things such as appearance or behavior and acknowledge them, but when those differences aren’t visible to the naked eye, then what? Is it like the saying “out of sight, out of mind”? Those whose struggles and differences aren’t visible find themselves outcasts, alone and ignored. If their disabilities were visible, would people care more about them and show more compassion and consideration? If they were cute and helpless, would more effort be shown towards helping them? 

Do you see me now? A series of animal portraits brings light to those who often feel unseen or ignored for their disabilities through animal portraits. Each poster represents a different condition, such as Chronic Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eating Disorders, Endometriosis, and more. People are often drawn to cute things such as animals, so I intend to draw people in and educate them through these animal portraits. Humans often feel the need to nurture voiceless creatures, yet individuals who are left voiceless aren’t given the same attention. Bringing awareness through animals will not only help the animals but also push people to think about how they treat and view those around them. I hope that through fostering this discussion about disability awareness and the healthcare system, we can start to change how we treat those with disabilities.