A disabled make-up artist writes the hurtful words cruel strangers call her – on her face.
Doaa Shayea wants to raise awareness of the vile abuse people with disabilities face every day.
The 21-year-old, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, regularly posts photos online of herself with the words such as “spaz” “retard” and “ugly” on her face.
Doaa, of Plymouth, Devon, adds a new word each time she's insulted.
“I do a good job of hiding it but I want to show there is damage underneath and make-up is my mask,” she said.
“So with my make-up design, I wanted everyone to see what disabled people still have to put up with in 2019.
“It is like the words I write on my face – retard, bedridden – I get called them. It's hurtful.”
The make-up artist says disability isn't well represented on social media, particularly Instagram .
She added: “I don't feel disability has been accepted and it really does frustrate me.”
Born in Yemen, Doaa moved to the Devon with her family when she was six years old but has been regularly taunted by bullies ever since.
She continued: “A lot of the time – to my face – I get people saying 'it's such a shame you're pretty, it's wasted on you.
“I had a guy on the bus come up to me and look at me with the most sympathetic look.
“Then he said 'it really is a shame you're so beautiful as you're never going to do anything with it because you're in a wheelchair'.
“What can you say to that?
“As soon as you're seen in a wheelchair or with any disability, that beauty is gone. The wheelchair is always going to be seen before I'm going to be seen.”
What is spina bifida?
Spina bifida is a condition in which a baby’s spine has not developed properly in the womb.
Experts say a lack of folic acid before and in the early stages of pregnancy is a big risk factor.
The condition, derived from the Latin for split spine, develops in an embryo’s neural tube – the structure that becomes the brain and spinal cord.
Often it means spinal column nerves are exposed. In most cases, post natal surgery can close any opening in the spine, but by then nervous system is likely to be already damaged.
This often results in paralysis in the legs and incontinence.
Post birth surgery can leave the child vulnerable to infection. Many develop hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid on the brain.
Doaa swapped her crutches for a wheelchair when she was around 10.
Spina bifida is a condition in which a baby’s spine has not developed properly in the womb.
But Doaa says strangers believe it “puts a limitation on her,” something she says is untrue.
“I can do everything anyone else can do,” she said.
“I used to be really paranoid being on crutches as I had a limp and I was always aware that people were staring at me.
“Now, they still stare, but I can whizz right by them and speed off.”
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