"Like Frida Kahlo's disability, ours also needs to be seen" by Carol Constantino

Frida Kahlo is undoubtedly one of the most representative figures in the Feminist Movement. What the vast majority know is that she was a renowned artist, who made art a refuge to face her life suffered after an accident, who lived an open relationship with her husband (Diego Rivera) and who also stood out for her personality. original. However, one of the most significant reasons that contributed to her being this incredible woman is largely ignored: her disability!

No, I'm not talking about the accident she had when she was young and which left her with sequels. But yes, the disability that accompanied her since she was a child and that, everything indicates, was the reason why she walked with difficulty. Target of bullying, Frida chose to wear long pants and skirts in an attempt to hide that one of her legs was thinner than the other. It was this same leg that years later had to be amputated.

As much as there are "a thousand" documents, films and biographies about her life, in none of them Frida's disability was, in fact, addressed as it really should be. Everywhere his disability was minimized, being just a simple detail that served as inspiration for his paintings. For some people it may seem silly, but for us, women with disabilities, it's as if our identity was stolen.

Of course, disability doesn't define anyone, but I say that because we don't feel represented in most spaces. So, when we finally have a great woman with a disability to identify us and bring us visibility, this characteristic is stolen. Just as Friducha's disability needs to be highlighted, ours also needs to be seen so that our specificities are respected.

There are several women with disabilities who have a lot to add to the feminist struggle. However, we do not feel heard or welcomed by women's collectives. Most of the time, lectures, demonstrations, feminist meetings are organized without sign language interpreters, the places are not accessible and the promotional materials do not have an image description. Mainly, these happen without a space for our speech. These questions are necessary at all times and not just when one of us requests them.

We find Frida on feminist flags, T-shirt prints, tattoos, notebooks, cell phones... But if she were still alive, would she feel welcome in today's feminism?

To finish this post, I want to propose a challenge! Think and reflect on the name of the great woman, Brazilian and with a disability, who is a leader of the movement in defense of women's rights and who is known by all people. Will you find out?

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Carol Constantino is a Social Work student, blogger and wheelchair user since she was a child, as she was born with muscle atrophy. On her blog she shares everything related to wheelchair users and other disabilities. In addition to posting stories of other wheelchair users from all over Brazil. Follow her on INSTAGRAM , like her page on FACEBOOK and access her BLOG .

Illustration by Paloma Santos, undergraduate student, illustrator, wheelchair user and feminist. "In my work as an illustrator I try to represent female diversity". Follow her on INSTAGRAM and like her on FACEBOOK.