2025 creative art
National Hmong Disability Virtual Conference
“Building for Tomorrow at the Intersection of Hmong Culture & Disability”
| preview of creative art piece| Title: A humble journey begun: Sojourning Life
Click the link below to access video with Closed Captions:
a humble journey begun on Vimeo Description:
I am loved and free Together we love and make life. We flow together while whispering. Our daughter and sister, Eisha, was the canvas filled with life flowing water. We, her family and loved ones, were the painters that helped paint her life as she gave us color and vibrancy. Eisha’s love was and still is abundantly overflowing, that gave substance to anything it encountered. Though she had her own life struggles and limitations, the way she chose to view and see life, was one of a kind – one that makes everyone question their own. Where one might see tears, she saw joy with laughter. She literally laughed in the face of hardships (needles, nurses, procedures, medical interventions, 100% dependency on others, non-mobile, non-verbal, partial vision and hearing loss, profound developmental delays, inability to eat by mouth, and more). Though tears flowed from her eyes because of the pain and hardships, she fought to enjoy life. She laughed because she would say, “You think that is pain? That is hardship? Okay… ‘Oh, you do not know hardships. Yet, life is worth living and fighting for.” Where one might see she had little to contribute, she willingly gave, like a life-giving river – she gave to her loved ones what she had – she gave her Make-A-Wish to build an accessible playground for her peers with special needs at her school. Eisha was born with Trisomy 13, Patau Syndrome - a chromosome condition associated with severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities in many parts of the body. The majority with Trisomy 13, will miscarry and never make it to birth. It occurs in 1 out of 10,000 newborns. Due to the presence of life-threatening medical problems, many infants with Trisomy 13 pass away before their first few days. Only 5 to 10 percent of children with this condition live past their first year. Eisha lived until she was 15 years old! She is our miracle just as medical professionals have no words to explain but to support her to live her best quality life. Simply like the Mississippi River that came from a humble beginning where it makes anyone wonder how it was possible. Eisha’s life was as such. She fought to live. She fought to enjoy. The way she fought it made anyone want to fight with her. How could anyone not? Our family fought with her, for her, for us because she is compatible with life too! Her medical team and family have given her the nickname Trixy160 because she was such a trickster who lived life fully with 160 because she is the next humanized future of androids. It was and is our honor to be part of her journey towards being loved and free. |
About Artist: A Journey of Creativity and Advocacy
Link: PaNyia Vang / Rain Watcher Artist — in progress
Website: Home | Atelier Paaj
Social Media: Atelier Páaj | Artist & Artisan BiPoc Craftswomen (@atelierpaaj) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Home | Atelier Paaj
Social Media: Atelier Páaj | Artist & Artisan BiPoc Craftswomen (@atelierpaaj) • Instagram photos and videos
Video Credits
The Rain Watcher Project
The Rain Watcher Artists & Exhibit: rain watcher — in progress
Hosted by In Progress
Writing, Production & Concept by Pa Nyia Vang & Family
Supported by her husband and children
Video & Editing Support by Sai Thao & Kris Sorensen
Photographed by Lee Elee Vue
The Rain Watcher Project is supported in part by Capitol Region Watershed District, the FR Bigelow Foundation, the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support Fund, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Flexible Support Fund, the Minnesota State Arts Board American Rescue Plan Award
The Rain Watcher Project
The Rain Watcher Artists & Exhibit: rain watcher — in progress
Hosted by In Progress
Writing, Production & Concept by Pa Nyia Vang & Family
Supported by her husband and children
Video & Editing Support by Sai Thao & Kris Sorensen
Photographed by Lee Elee Vue
The Rain Watcher Project is supported in part by Capitol Region Watershed District, the FR Bigelow Foundation, the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support Fund, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Flexible Support Fund, the Minnesota State Arts Board American Rescue Plan Award