With cosplay growing more within these past few years, it has become a space where everyone can be as creative as they want! However, how do those with disabilities find creativity in their cosplays?
I sat down with two cosplayers during Disability Awareness Month in July, and we discussed what it means to have a disability in the cosplay community.
Whether you see it or not, cosplayers with disabilities are in the community and use their abilities to be as creative as ever!
JoJo’s cosplayer, Sisi (@gecko.cos) has a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition that affects their joints. Meaning, “the things that keep [their] bones together don’t want to do that.” This makes cosplaying a bit of a challenge.
It was impressive learning the lengths that cosplayers similar to Sisi go to in order to make their cosplays comfortable. They explained various modifications that needed to be made when entering cosplay competitions. For example, their Lucy Steel cosplay. Due to their wrist mobility, they had to modify the bands Lucy wears.
Store-bought cosplays can also be out of the question: “I've had to make the leggings specifically out of stretchy material, otherwise my braces would not fit under them” they said about their Narancia cosplay.
Responses to their cosplays can be both positive and negative. Occasionally people joke about their cosplay of Johnny Joestar, a wheelchair user. While some joke, others find a sense of camaraderie. Much like stand users, many disabled cosplayers gravitate to each other. They bond over their unique way of cosplaying. Sisi found a community that looks out for each other on good AND bad days!
While Sisi’s disability is visible at times, on the “good days” it's not always. We are not entitled to anyone's health history. Just because it is not visible, doesn’t mean someone isn't struggling internally.
There are several types of disabilities, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Autism, Dyslexia, and, ADHD are all examples of cognitive disabilities with Depression and Anxiety as psychiatric disabilities.
Lo, one of the hosts of Girltaku, spoke on having ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety as a cosplayer and creator. She believes there can be benefits. However, many hardships are attached to it.
Lo explained that some of her most popular ideas result from her ADHD. Her amazing Aki cosplay from Chainsaw Man for example! Her ADHD can come with a lot of frustration. She feels that she needs to do something as soon as she thinks of it. Otherwise, the idea is lost.
The intersectionality of her disabilities is a big reason why many of her ideas are on hold.
Anxiety can cause her to question if her cosplays are good enough. She also wonders if they will be perceived well by her audience. Lo believes that one should not apologize for taking breaks for their mental health– depression, anxiety, and ADHD can be a lot. The result is not responding to messages and longer gaps between cosplays. People often describe ADHD as hyper or "all over the place." The chill co-host says that is not always the case.
Disability Awareness month has passed, but it's crucial to remember and spread recognition outside of the “designated” times. Big corporations typically stop right after June and fail to represent the 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
In the silence, Lo urges creators to share their stories, because they are all so different! Take the time to listen to those not just inside our community. Sisi reminds us that becoming disabled can happen to anyone, making it necessary to uplift disabled voices!
