


Bianca Sturchio
Lensed by Jocelyn Lee
“I am a 28-year-old disabled artist and student living in Portland, Maine in the US. I have disabilities, which I never refer to as “problems.” I was born with a congenital disorder called cerebral palsy (CP), which, for those who are unaware, is a condition that occurs from extensive trauma to the brain, and is believed to most frequently occur during or shortly after childbirth. I try my best to maintain a deep understanding and appreciation for my body despite my physical and mental experiences, and I think the journey between my internal and external self is going to be something I continue to confront for a long while. I live in a social climate that continually reinforces the idea that my body is “wrong” or “undesirable” or a “problem to be fixed.I represent my femininity by engaging in activities that make me feel proud, smart, kind, confident and resilient. My femininity is observable in the way I stand up for what I believe in, and how I genuinely care for others.”