Illustrating intersectionality: my story of living with MS, art and activism

Award winning illustrator and MS Trust ambassador, Ananya Rao-Middleton, explores identity, activism and creating inclusive spaces.

Hi, I'm Ananya, an illustrator and activist living with multiple sclerosis. My journey with MS has been challenging. But I’ve grown a lot and learned so many things about myself.

I decided to become an ambassador for the MS Trust because I want to use my experiences to raise awareness and provide support for others living with MS, especially people who are newly diagnosed.

I know having MS can be such an overwhelming and difficult experience, so being an ambassador for the MS Trust feels like an important way for me to give back to the MS community and send the message that none of us are alone.

The MS Trust has also been a crucial resource for me particularly when I was newly diagnosed, and I'm passionate about giving back to an organisation that has made such a difference in my life.

In my work, I explore themes of disability, community, and intersectionality. 

My art reflects my journey and aims to foster understanding and empathy within the communities I illustrate. I believe that through creativity, we can bridge gaps and build connections.

As part of multiple marginalised communities, I often find myself wondering about what could change to make spaces more accessible.

In my opinion, event organisers can take several steps to make LGBTQ+ spaces more accessible for people with MS and other disabilities.

This includes ensuring venues are accessible for wheelchair and mobility aid users, providing seating options, offering quiet spaces for those who may need a break from sensory overload, and using clear, visible signage.

Additionally, training staff to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of disabled attendees can go a long way in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Ananya's illustration for World MS Day

I’ve also been pondering how disability organisations can promote diversity and inclusion. I know we’ve come a long way in the last few years, but there are so many opportunities out there.

Disability organisations can make LGBTQ+ people feel more included by actively promoting and supporting diversity within their initiatives.

I think this could be effective through featuring stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities, providing resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by this community, and collaborating with LGBTQ+ organisations to create joint programmes and events.

This is a question that I’ve been thinking about recently. I think that the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities can work together by forming alliances and creating spaces where intersectional identities are embraced.

By collaborating on events, advocacy efforts, and educational campaigns, these communities can amplify each other's voices and ensure that the needs of people who belong to both groups are addressed. 

I’m super active on Instagram @AnanyaPaints, where I showcase my latest projects and share updates on my journey - feel free to DM me if you’d like to say hi!

I also have my website that has more in detail information about my work, so if you want to really take a look at some of my past projects, head to: ananyapaints.com

Ananya is a proud MS Trust Ambassador and volunteer. 

• Find out more about our ambassadors.
• Find out more about volunteering.