Perspectives in print

A new photography exhibition is giving children with cerebral palsy the opportunity to show us the world through their eyes.

An entry in last year's Perspective in Print exhibition. Mikey Medcalf enjoying one of his favourite activities.

When a substitute teacher recently tried to play the children's sing-song game Humpty Dumpty with nine year old Lane Cove resident Marusha Rowe, she politely told her "it wasn't age-appropriate". Marusha dispels many preconceived ideas about sufferers of cerebral palsy.

Marusha is one entrant in an upcoming photography exhibition run by The Spastic Centre called Perspectives in Print.

The exhibition aims to provide a glimpse into the world of cerebral palsy sufferers as seen through their eyes. They can submit a photo from any part of their life they find interesting, beautiful, fun, amusing, thought provoking or weird.

"In a world that often judges on looks rather than ability, through the art of photography, participants are able to successfully portray their perceptions," says Alison Carmichael-Rulten from the Spastic Centre.

Marusha suffers from athetoid cerebral palsy, meaning she experiences involuntary unpredictable movements. She is quadriplegic, severely deaf and vision-impaired — not that you'd really notice.

"She looks like she hasn't got anything wrong with her," says her guardian Jenny Pride, "but as soon as you get her out of a wheelchair she can't roll over or sit up or do anything. She only has control over one finger on her left hand."

Marusha knows most people think sufferers of cerebral palsy are "dumb" but the way she sees it, "Part of my brain is broken, not my thinking part, just my walking part."

"Her mind is only impaired to the extent she can't do anything for herself," says Jenny, "so she's reliant on other people for everything she does. People don't realise how frustrating it is when you've got a normal brain but you're trapped in a body that you can't control."

Marusha's condition has not stopped her leading a full and active life. She is as cheeky, precocious and confident as any other 9-year-old child.

"I like going surfing, writing stories, watching DVDs, writing rock songs and playing with my toys," says Marusha. While most able-bodied people struggle to remain upright when roller and ice skating, Marusha has overcome both.

Jenny says Marusha was the first girl in the world to roller skate and ice skate in her Hart Walker — a customised orthotic walking frame that allows children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions to walk hands-free.

Taking part in the Perspectives in Print exhibition is one facet of Marusha's wide, varied and very full life. Because of her uncontrollable movements Jenny takes the photographs Marusha tells her she wants to take.

Among the photographs Marusha and Jenny are submitting is a group of snapshots of Marusha surfing on the South Coast. Marusha says she loves surfing "because you don't need to be able to walk to surf. I feel like a bird and I can fly free when I surf." Earlier this year she joined the Disabled Surfers Association and now competes against people from South Africa, New Zealand and other parts of Australia.

The exhibition will be on show at Luna Park from Tuesday November 29 until Sunday December 4. Entry is free of charge.