Positive Exposure NYC

Positive Exposure is one of my most admired social cause ideas. The founder, Rick Guidotti, combined his talent as a photographer with his passion to educate and make an inspired difference.

The result is Positive Exposure.

They're about to run a fundraiser in NYC with Fashion Designer Ralph Rucci and Vogue Magazine’s Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley as co-hosts. I would love to attend - shame I'm here in Sydney!

Positive Exposure fuse disability and fashion. They have created a conversation about genetic difference in a way that is humanising, inspiring, empowering.

Difference is rarely embraced in our society. Mainstream media bombards us with what "normal" supposedly looks, sounds and feels like. It's very misleading. We need to see people of all abilities depicted in brand-centric communication. The more we "normalise" disability and include it in our collective social image, the less we will unconsciously discriminate.

Way Off The Mark

Some of you may have seen the recent Chaser skit about Make A Wish.

It's been several days since the segment ran on Chaser's War on Everything however I wanted to wait until I'd seen the dust settle before commenting. In particular, I was interested to read the letters (on/offline) about the ABC's decision to run the piece which the producers & Chaser Team referred to as "satirical" and "black humour".

Having lived through the experience of watching my own son on life support along with other children and parents who've been faced with equally (or worse) experiences, I have to say, I've found it pretty hard to understand why The Chaser team thought this subject could ever be appropriate.

It's not remotely comedic to parody children who are undergoing extremely painful, traumatic treatment for potentially life-threatening health challenges.

Assuming The Chaser's team have never set foot in a kids' hospital nor known anyone who has.....perhaps they should check one out.

Even the most insensitive twat would have to agree that there are subjects which should be no-go. Creating a parody about kids who are ill and/ or dying is one of those.

I am truly disappointed by The Chaser.....I think they've really overstepped the mark. And it's not me who thinks this - only last night was the topic raised whilst out with friends....all of them (independently of my opinion) felt that the segement was in extremely poor taste....it certainly wasn't funny.

I truly hope The Chaser hit the drawing board and start working again on ideas which entertain rather than offend.

Positive Exposure

I fell in love with Positive Exposure the first time I laid eyes on it.

Positive Exposure is a US non-profit arts organisation whoseo mission is to positively promote people who live with genetic difference. They also work to educate medical professionals, students and the public. It was founded by Rick Guidotti and Diane McLean. Rick was a fashion photographer who was moved by the way people with genetic difference were portrayed in medical & social literature (read: dehumanised, humiliated, impersonal). He decided it was time to change and educate so began Positive Exposure.

To me, this is human rights at its best. In many countries people are killed or maimed because they "look" or "act" differently. This clearly needs to stop and I take my hat off to Rick and his team for the truly amazing, life changing work they do. He is an inspiration and I would love an opportunity to meet him and contribute in some small way to this amazing cause.

http://www.positiveexposure.org/

Rethinking Disability

I often wonder who came up with the world "DISABLED". I mean, which 'able bodied' person thought it was a good idea? I wonder if they consulted anyone who had special needs and asked their thoughts on the topic (my guess is no).

How we identify ourselves is critical to the way the world views us.

Labelling people based on what they can't do or what's missing is plainly wrong and outmoded.

I love the work that was ceated for the "International Day of People with a Disability". Sure they refer to the word "disability" but they flipped its meaning on its head through the campaign:

Don't Dis-my-Ability

Empowered. Succinct. Positive.

I love.