Disability is just a state of mind
A young Saudi, who was born disabled, is today considered the best and most famous painter and designer in the Kingdom, professionals working in the area say.
Despite being handicapped by birth, Rakan Kurdi, 22, has never given up and has managed to pursue his career on the Internet and has become an outstanding designer, proving that disability does not limit creativity.
Telling his story, Rakan said he enrolled in school like other children, but he had to stop in Grade 5 due to muscular dystrophy.
He said he did not lose hope but, instead, consulted several doctors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, including Germany, where he was told there is no treatment. They did, however, recommend that he return to them at the age of 18 for possible spinal surgery.
He explained that his love of drawing and design came about unexpectedly as he sat in front of a computer. He practiced his art on Photoshop.
He said he began on simple Arabic sites and then shifted to foreign sites in order to boost his skills and abilities.
Rakan is now displaying his skills and a number of his own works, including a painting of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other dignitaries, at the Jeddah Ramadan Festival in Al-Balad.
Commenting on his work, he said the majority deals with community issues such as domestic violence, drugs and poverty; he says that drawings are more expressive on these issues than the printed word.
He expressed gratitude to his parents for their patience and help and is happy that they are proud of him. He hosts visitors who come to see his works and paintings, currently available on TV channels and in the media.
Rakan also appreciates the role played by his friends and followers through his personal account on Facebook; they always support him.
He expressed his ambition to compete in international contests in order to make Saudi Arabia known in those circles and he also hopes to establish his own graphic company.
Source: en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com