Mariam Paré: College of DuPage Alumna

Описание к видео Mariam Paré: College of DuPage Alumna

Art has always been at the center of Mariam Paré’s life.

Paré enrolled at College of DuPage for one quarter at the age of 19 and then moved to San Francisco, hoping to attend art school there.

However, life changed in an instant for Paré while visiting friends in Richmond, Va. She was in a car when gunfire erupted on the sidewalk. A bullet entered the car and struck her neck, leaving her a quadriplegic. After five months in the hospital, she returned to Chicago for rehab and then home, where it took several years to regroup.

“As an able-bodied person, I had big plans for the future. After my injury occurred, I basically thought my life was over. I could not imagine leading any resemblance of a life that was similar to what I had before.”

Paré eventually gained motivation from watching other people with similar disabilities find new ways to live quality lives.

“I began to think, ‘If other people can do this, then I can too,’” she said. “There was a glimmer of possibility. I didn’t want to live a life of solitude. I wanted art back in my life because I didn’t think that I could live my life without it.”

After learning how to write her name using her mouth, Paré realized that she could still draw. This allowed her to return to what she has always been most passionate about.

“I was so happy. Art gave me a purpose and helped me cope with the disability better.”

In 1999, Paré re-enrolled at College of DuPage and discovered that the campus community was accommodating and willing to assist her in any way possible.

“Everyone was so helpful. There were people who went to my classes with me, carried my books and set up my art materials. For my art degree, I had to fulfill a sculpture requirement. I was assigned someone who I could tell what I wanted, and that person did the sculpting. COD taught me that even if I can’t physically do it, it was still my art if I can direct someone to do it.”

Paré spent years at COD, completing her prerequisites and core art classes on her way to a degree. It took her about 10 years to become as good of artist using her mouth as she was with her hands.

Now a member of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Paré has experienced numerous high points throughout her career, including solo art exhibitions and an appearance on the “Today” show.

“At one point I didn’t know if I could pursue art anymore. Now I realize there are no limits.”

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