Emma Kivisild  

Cyborganics

Welcome to the waiting room!

When I first heard about a show about ‘cyborgs and disability,’ I thought it had nothing to do with me. I am not a cyborg and I don’t want to be. I don’t use any machines in my daily life, at least none specifically related to my disability (Multiple Sclerosis). I am not melded with any artificial limbs, or any medically related machines. Hell, I don’t use a scooter, or even a cane. I would, if I had to, but I don’t yet.

But the word ‘cyborg’ lingered in my head, an insistent perspective on my comings and goings. Does using my phone make me a cyborg? what about my computer? how about the bus? that fan that makes the summer bearable with heat sensitivity? Many many maybes. I realized my definition of cyborg was too narrow. In fact it seemed like what I had had in mind before might be an able-bodied definition, a picture of a cyborg that came from the life of someone who doesn’t live with a disability. I started thinking about what I am, instead of those mechanical cyborg stereotypes. I started thinking about how people with disabilities actually make our way in the world. We find the assistance we need where we can, and we become what we have to.

So I realized that in my life, I am a cyborg a lot of the time. That is, I use a lot of assistance that is not an organic part of my body, but is an organic part of my life. Mostly, for now, I use the people around me, to walk and carry and shop and, oh, many things. If only other people with disabilities had access to the cyborg possibilities I do, I thought. If only. And then I went to the Yoga With MS class, and sat with other people with disabilities and watched as they and their assistants became yoga cyborgs. ‘My children are my legs,’ said one woman in conversation after class. Yes, I think, this is how we do it. We are these cyborgs.

(This piece is a thank you to the people in my life who make me functional, especially Suzo Hickey.)

Cyborganics 

Mixed media installation
Chairs, table, magazines, posters

Walking Tall
4-colour poster
13” x 44”
Buffet Bob
4-colour poster
13” x 44”
Yoga-tastic
4-colour poster
13” x 44”