Differently-Abled T's

Is a physically disabled, freelance Graphic Designer who creates unique and innovative designs for t-shirts that are centered around a single idea: That even if you're different, that doesn't mean you don't have the ability to do great things.

[differentlyabledts]

January 26th is coming and that means its the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was a law created in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

After brainstorming some ideas, I came up with an "American Flag" themed design. Cast your votes with emotes or reply to this image with a comment to let me know your thoughts on if it should be put on t-shirts!.

[differentlyabledts]

DifferentlyABLED User Profile | DeviantArt

Check out DifferentlyABLED's art on DeviantArt. Browse the user profile and get inspired.

Just created an art gallery page on Deviant art! Go there to see more of my work, and vote on what sort of designs should be created next! The options that get the most views will be used as inspiration to create another design and put onto a shirt at discounted prices!

[differentlyabledts]

Was getting ready for martial arts class today, and saw some pretty neat "Wheelchair Combat Fighting" techniques. Whether you're in a wheelchair or not, these techniques are quite impressive...showing that anyone from any sitting position can have the ABILITY to defend themselves if need be.

[differentlyabledts]

Just designed a another Love/Valentine’s day themed graphic T! Pretty proud of this one on how sleek it looks.

https://tinyurl.com/LOVETranscends

[differentlyabledts]

DESIGN STORY: The Ability to LOVE & BE Loved

Unlike my last design story, this one if you couldn’t tell by the image, has a more upbeat theme...and with Valentine’s Day inspiring the design above, it seemed appropriate to tell a story about the personal, hidden meaning behind it. If there is one thing everyone in the world can relate to or aspire to find, it’s love. No matter who you are or where you come from its one of the biggest and most common abilities that links us as human beings. Further more, no one is exempted from this, even yours truly. Growing up--especially with a disability--created its hardships yes, but none was more trail-inducing on a personal level, then trying to fit in and be socially accepted by my peers. This was especially true for my academic years. Now popularity was never anything that was ever attempted to be reached, but an attempt at everything under the sun that was popular at the time (we’re talking between the years of 2000-2006) to get into social circles was a goal of mine back then. Needless-to-say, it proved difficult to do, but my constant change in interests in an attempt to fit in was eventually very fruitful in the form of existing as a “Friend of all Circles”. That is, being someone that didn’t really belong to any particular niche’ or click but that everyone knew. Being high-fived or told “hello” in passing within my high school’s hallways was pretty much the extent to what being a “Friend of all Circles” entailed. However, it wasn’t necessarily something that bothered me...at least in the beginning. Eventually once the mid to late teenage years hit (15-18 years of age), I found myself desiring to belong to something more intimate and close-knit. But with my high school years closing, it was becoming obvious that it would be hard to do...or so I thought. During my late teens and early twenties, the concept of “Online Dating” and “Online MMORPGs” was really a new and exciting thing, and for someone who lived with mobility issues, it honestly was a welcomed venue. The ability to use both those venues allowed me to achieve something that at the time, was thought unreachable: Meet people from anywhere in the world with similar interests. Fast forward to 2012 and eventually a person entered my life from a particular MMORPG, who had become both a love and dear friend for 7 years. While the romance in that relationship only lasted the first few years of the seven, their love showed me that it was possible to achieve. The confidence that was gained in that part of my life, soon paved way in my present day, to finding what I believe to be a real, genuine love: Unconditional admiration from someone else that not only doesn’t see your short-comings, but helps you become more than what you were before they entered your life. This person is a kind, generous yet determined soul who thus far, in the span of a year has helped me gain confidence, more independence, and drive toward all aspects of life....and the best part is, they came into my life when it was least expected. They know who they are and it is my hopes that through my new-found independence and drive to be and achieve more out of life, that their love means the world to me... ...because they’ve shown that love can be found at the most unpredictable time and can be found by any, single, one of us...no matter who we are. and that my friends is the story behind what inspired me to create the design before you for valentine’s day. Every one of us has something precious to offer someone else, no matter what are abilities or orientations may be. We all are Able to Love. https://tinyurl.com/ABLEtoLOVE

[differentlyabledts]

Being Different Means being the Same

Being born different doesn't mean we AREN'T the same. If EVERYONE alive has skills that makes them unique; cooking, martial arts, design, fashion, public speaking or others, then in the end, no matter HOW we are born, each and every one of our lives takes a DIFFERENT path, making us all the same.

Because to the core, all anyone wants is to use their abilities that they've either been given or taught, to help better their own and the lives of those around them....in essence making our goal the same.

Be different, utilize YOUR abilities, so you can be the same as others..hardworking achievers that want to make a mark on this world.

[differentlyabledts]

Running with Raw Determination

Running is something we all do. Whether its for exercise or to get somewhere quickly, we've all done it at some point in our lives. But few of us work hard at it like Matt Woodrum, a young boy with Cerebral Palsy. In 2012 he ran a 400-meter race at his school in Ohio and what happens toward the end, is just a feel-good moment you really don't often see.

He may be older now, but his determination and perseverance, is still something that we all should aspire to let loose within us all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmaDtbQ1nuA&t=19s

[differentlyabledts]

DESIGN STORY:

Finding the Power to Push forward with Perseverance

Last year was for the most part, a typical year. Work on freelance jobs, workout a few times a week, care for the family...the usual. That is, except for one thing... In April 2018, my mother who was in her mid 60′s at the time, passed away after a near 7 year battle with both Parkinson's and Dementia. Yes, it might be odd starting a story with the ending--especially one such as this--but it was how my mother LIVED with her condition that impacted the design you see before you. She was like any typical mother really, caring, understanding, willing to go the extra mile for those she loved and knew. From a young age, she joined me at her hip...not because she was trying to be overbearing, but because she--as far as she thought--had a son living with Cerebral Palsy to protect and guide through life as best as she could. Would some call it being too “sheltered”? Perhaps. In fact, now facing age 32 and looking back on it a bit, I’d say to a degree, that‘s moderately accurate.

We did a lot together. Watched our favorite television shows after dinner, had  weekly “Mother/Son” outings for ice cream, went on small walks in parks or cemeteries, swimming at the local YMCA, she even had me join her girl scout troupe as an “Honorary Girl Scout.” It truly was like we were glued at the hips... ...back then though, I just viewed it as being a best friend to a woman that just wanted to see me happy and entertained. It wasn’t until around the year 2012 though--around my early 20′s--that I truly started to see the underlining meanings to all those activities. 6 months after she chose to retire, my mother started getting severe anxiety. Driving, going places with others, walking, even climbing the stairs became a fearful thing in her mind. Fast forward a year into her condition, and she now was at a point where she could talk, but no longer walk...bound to a bed, minus time for meals. To many this would be mentally debilitating...causing stress, frustration and sorrow. For my mother however, it gave her a reason to smile. She wasn’t happy about her circumstance, no, nor would anyone...But she knew that at least she was GIVEN a new day, regardless of how she had to live it. Being able to enjoy just that-a new day, to her, was reason enough to smile. It was through her smiles and laughter for nearly seven years that I finally realized what our time together meant... ...it meant that you should take each day your given and enjoy it how you can. Some days, you’ll be able to go for a walk or eat ice cream, other days you’ll be faced with hardships that are just that--hard. But it is how you deal with those hardships and embrace what you CAN do during those days that are hard that truly matters. Fast forward 6 more years--how long my mother hung on--and that has still stuck with me ever since, and why my friends, I created the design you see before you. To show those who come across what seem like impossible odds, that more often then not, the strength of our perseverance-our strength to find something to hold onto every day...whether it be something as big as getting a dream job or as small as being able to smile, can often pave our way toward the successes in the road we call life. After all, no one needs to have superhuman abilities to achieve super results... ...they just need to bring out their inner power with a little Perseverance. https://tinyurl.com/PowerofPerseveranceT

[differentlyabledts]

Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham, may have been born with Spina-bifida, but that doesn't stop him from being amazing with his "Adaptive Action" abilities. He does one of the coolest front flips I've ever seen. He embraces his abilities to be an AMAZING skater

[differentlyabledts]

Apply & Do.

“Knowing is not enough, we must APPLY. Willing is not enough, we must DO.” A great quote by Bruce Lee. An inspiration to many and a true believer in the idea that as long as we act in our desire to do great things, we will achieve them through the abilities we have.

[differentlyabledts]

Just designed this logo yesterday. Wanted to show that even if you live with challenges or are different, that each and every one of us have our own unique abilities to be proud of.