Chicago Project-Patricia Lay-Dorsey

Falling Into Place: self portraits

So many stories are told of persons with disabilities from the outside looking in. Often portrayed as tragic and/or brave, it is easy to lose sight of our common humanity. We are seen as other. For years I resisted and resented this attitude whenever I encountered it in person, print or online. In June 2008 I started taking self portraits that would show from the inside the day-to-day life of a person with a disability; that person being myself.

As subject, I was surprised by my feelings of shame and “otherness.” As photographer, my differences were interesting rather than shameful. As viewer of the photos, I saw how hard my body works to do what I ask of it. If anyone had to change their attitude, it was me.

Self Portrait 1 (2008)	Self Portrait 5 (2008)	Self Portrait 6 (2009)
Self Portrait 8 (2008)	Self Portrait 11 (2008)	Self Portrait 12 (2008)
Self Portrait 16 (2009)	Self Portrait 19 (2009)	Self Portrait 20 (2009)

Falling Into Place: self portraits So many stories are told of persons with disabilities from the outside looking in. Often portrayed as tragic and/or brave, it is easy to lose sight of our common humanity. We are seen as other. For years I resisted and resented this attitude whenever I encountered it in person, print or online. In June 2008 I started taking self portraits that would show from the inside the day-to-day life of a person with a disability; that person being myself. As subject, I was surprised by my feelings of shame and “otherness.” As photographer, my differences were interesting rather than shameful. As viewer of the photos, I saw how hard my body works to do what I ask of it. If anyone had to change their attitude, it was me.