RECOGNIZING THE "REINVENTING THE WHEEL" PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
WHEREAS, On June 29, 2013, BACKBONES, an outstanding eleemosynary organization that provides one-on-one peer support for people with spinal cord injuries and their families, is premiering a noteworthy photographic exhibition titled "Reinventing the Wheel"; and
WHEREAS, The exhibition is the culmination of a project that paired 22 photographers with 22 individuals living with spinal cord injuries with a goal of documenting the incredible abilities of people who are living with such an incapacitating injury, demonstrating such persons can live productive lives and leading to a greater awareness of the vital importance of access to education, employment, and quality health care for these individuals.
WHEREAS, The National Museum of Health and Medicine Chicago, located in the Loop on West Washington Street, is the site of the "Reinventing the Wheel" exhibit. The museum and its founder, Mike Doyle, have been partners with BACKBONES and are instrumental in the success of this project. The exhibition will tour the country with shows in Portland later this year and New York and Los Angeles in 2014; and
WHEREAS, BACKBONES founder and executive director, Reveca Torres, who injured her spine in a car accident at the age of 13, developed this project after viewing depressing images on the internet of people with injuries such as she had looking ill or hopeless. She reasoned that images such as those in this exhibit have great power to change perceptions and attitudes. For the past nine months she has worked with Mike Doyle and the museum to mount this intense and remarkable visual showcase; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of this praiseworthy photographic project, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 24th Day of July, 2013, do hereby congratulate BACKBONES ...
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