Open the Soul, Fight the Stigma

Through art, Anne Nurfarina, 51, opens doors to the souls of people with disabilities and pulls them out of the stigma. She assures everyone that they can be empowered with all their uniqueness.

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Anne Nurfarina

Nurul Fatima, 22, was unable to hold back her emotion when the general manager of The Trans Hotel Bandung, Farid Ananta Patria, invited her to paint the walls of the cafeteria and the area of the hotel employees, Thursday (14/11/2019). She hugged Anne Nurfarina, lecturer at Widyatama University’s School of Visual Communication Design, who guided her to become a confident designer despite limitations.

Anne explained that Nurul had cerebral palsy, a disorder that attacks the motor system and is caused by abnormal brain development. Movement and communication are limited, but not creativity. Her imagination moves without limits to be poured into valuable designs. Anne said Nurul was able to follow regular classes and graduate with a satisfactory GPA. Her collection of designs is dynamic, adjusted to the wishes of clients.