All abilities in frame

THE stories of eight members of the region’s disabled community are currently on display as part of a photo exhibition at Ballarat Library.

Framing My Story – Celebrating Who I Am has come from the Ballarat Working Together Group as part of Disability Pride Month.

Working Together Group chair Mark Thompson, who also features in the exhibition, opened the show earlier this month and said it’s about drawing attention to the efforts of people within the community living with disabilities.

“It’s telling stories about people with disabilities,” he said. “It’s important to tell these stories because they never get out into the mainstream.

“The response was fantastic at the launch. There’s people featured like Tim who’s a musician and painter, Kate who’s blind and part of Melba.

“There’s also football players like David, who played in [Ballarat Bulldogs Football Netball Club].”

Letitia Yates, who creates artwork under the moniker The Donut Therapist, is one of the eight people featured in the exhibition.

With her work shown at venues like TBH Studios and Brunswick Street Gallery, as well as part of the City of Ballarat’s Youth Week, she said putting herself on display via photograph is about highlighting hers and others’ achievements.

“It’s to show that even though we’re disabled, whether it’s physical, neurological, intellectual, it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything,” she said.

“Many of us have jobs and many of us do stuff like me with my artwork. We just need to be given the chance to do it.”

Each photo was taken by photographer and filmmaker Mitch Nivalis.

Framing My Story – Celebrating Who I Am is on show until early August.