Creating Art Through a Disability

As she sits in front of her laptop, Ashley Carson’s artistic side begins to awaken. She starts to draw pictures.

“My favorite things to draw are animals, shapes, and typography,” Carson said.

When Carson was born on Dec. 23,1983, life as an artist didn’t appear to be in her future.

Carson has a form of muscular dystrophy called spinal muscular atrophy. As she explains it, her muscles weaken and waste away due to degeneration of motor neurons, which are the cells in the spinal cord.

That diagnosis—affecting one in 10,000 births, most female—means Carson will to rely on help to do most things in life. But the spirited brunette has benefited from the belief and support of a favorite teacher at Sterling Central High School, who helped her realize her dream of a career in graphic design could be a reality.

“Mrs. Worth inspired me to become an artist because she expected a lot out of me,” Carson said. “She pushed me to my limits regardless of my disability and I respect her for it. Mrs. Worth made me realize that I can do just about anything in art.”

Worth even entered Carson’s first oil pastel drawing into a contest at the local fair, earning her first-place honors.

“My first oil pastel was a giraffe and it turned out really clean and crisp,” Carson said.

The drawing has also had an impact on her mom. Lottie Carson said the giraffe is her favorite because it looks like the animal is following the person viewing it.