[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Meet Erada Al-Harthy ... an artist who overcame disability" ids="97812,97813,97814,97815,97816"] By Badea Abu Al-Naja Saudi Gazette ERADA Al-Harthy was born in 2010 with a disability. She suffers from deformities in lower and upper limbs. She is an inmate at the Disabled Children Society (DCS) in Makkah and is studying in elementary first grade. The art education teacher was impressed the first time she saw Erada drawing with a pencil at class. Despite being a child with disability, she did not lose hope or give up. In fact, her disability makes here more ambitious day by day, and knowing that art allows her to dream, she entertains dreams of becoming a plastic artist. The little girl has a strong will and determination and does not surrender easily even if she is facing insurmountable difficulties and challenges. Her mother has always encouraged her to draw with a brush since she was a little child. The art education classes have helped develop and hone her drawing skills. Today, she can draw with a brush, sponge, and fingers. Erada participated in the Special Arts Programs for Disabled Children in 2016 and drew a painting, which she called "I am the World". She also took part in another program and drew a postcard. She helped draw the logo of the World Disability Day 2016. Strong characters Rana Sideeq, the art education teacher, described Erada as a strong-willed and highly-ambitious child. "Erada has a pleasant personality and a beautiful face. She has excelled in all subjects and is a talented calligrapher. She aspires to be a famous painter as she displays a strong artisitic taste. All her paintings were nominated for drawing and art work contests," she said. Nadia Mustafa, the head of physical therapy section at DCS, said Erada suffers from hand and leg deformities. It is a hereditary disease as several of her family members and relatives have the same condition. Her brain abilities are superb. The orthopedic surgeon who examined her did not recommend any surgical intervention but said she needs prosthetic limbs after she reaches six years old. She is perfectly normal and can sit, talk, hear and see naturally. "Erada can touch and hold things but not as good as other children. She can eat. Her mother helps her dress and go to the bathroom," she said, noting that Erada's mother was shocked when Erada was born with deformities. However, DCS teachers showed the mother how to help her child. Erada's parents said their daughter was shy and loved to spend time alone. After taking her to the DCS school, her condition had improved remarkably. The school helped her unleash her talents. Her parents are proud of her and are grateful to DCS.
