Susan J. Wagner-White Pen & Ink

ult proved to be catastrophic. In Susan's case, she was born without arms. She struggled during formative years with the attitudes of people and their intolerance to difference. Pain, medical appointments, prosthetic fittings and trials weighed heavy on her but she pushed through to become the most EN-abled persons this writer has ever had the pleasure to know. Susan has inspired me since we met as children and continues to do so today with her brilliant artistic talent and strong voice as she is a valued proponent in the arenas of thalidomide justice and gay rights. The day I met Susan she was swimming at a local dam. Without arms. I took one look at her and decided that if she could do it, so could I. That was the day I learned to swim. She has not used prosthesis since she was a young girl. Determined to do things with her not fully developed hands growing out of her shoulders she has succeeded at everything she attempts. That means doing all the mundane tasks we all take for granted as well as driving fast sports cars and piloting speed boats. In short, Susan White is my hero. Her talent in pen and ink media is nothing short of awe inspiring given that she works without arms. Susan is married to her beautiful wife Rae and lives in the west end of Ottawa, Canada. "I have always had a pencil, pen, crayon,coloured pencil, etc. in my hand. Even if it was to just doodle, I was creating something. After hearing so many friends, family and strangers tell me I should be doing something with my talent, I decided it is a shame to waste it, so here I am."