Country of Georgia hosts photo exhibit featuring people in wheelchairs

From The Georgian Times:

The project is called Me –Ania and consists of 20 different photos containing one common detail – a wheelchair. Geocell opened this exhibition on 3 December, the International Day of Disabled People, at the Tbilisi State Concert Hall.

It is impossible for disabled people to enter or move around in many public places in Georgia. We very rarely see them next to us, and it seems that society has rejected these people on purpose. This event was a message to society: Let us make disabled people’s lives easier is what 22-year old photographer Ana Goguadze is saying.

In the hall wheelchairs were placed next to ordinary chairs so that journalists and invited guests could experience the burden of using them and understand how difficult disabled people’s lives are. These people live next to us and are ordinary like us. But they have no opportunity to live ordinary lives. The main aim of the Geocell project was to remind society how important it is to integrate these people and create elementary living conditions for them.

Irma Tskitishvili, Geocell’s PR Manager, said that the event was “A kind of message” for the Government and private citizens that they should support disabled people and destroy the barriers erected in society. “Geocell already has several offices which disabled people can access and use the services of. Some disabled people are also employed at the company because disabled people’s problems, integration into the society and employment are important and we always try to be an example for others of how to support people. When Ana came to us and told us her idea we agreed to support her immediately. Today’s event is the continuation of Geocell’s social project and we are going to continue to continue working in this direction in future’’

“The photos are not grave despite the fact I have used the wheelchair as an accessory in them and I hope you will all like them. I would like to thank to Geocell, the Director of Tbilisi State Concert Hall and all the people who supported me and I hope today’s event will an example for others,” said Ana Goguadze

After the Tbilisi State Concert Hall is repaired it will have all the facilities which will enable disabled people to enter and move around the hall freely. “As you know in many developed countries disabled people can access public places. Our aim is to achieve the same. First of all I would like to thank Geocell which has given us the opportunity to present this problem to society and I am sure that everyone will follow our example and create special entrances for disabled people,” said Giorgi Kereselidze, Director of the Tbilisi State Concert Hall.

Beka Kokaia, Ana Goguadze’s agent, said: “One of our weapons is to hold such events to let people know that these problems do exist, it is possible to improve the situation and these people need our support and for us to stand by their side.”

Designer Avtandil Tskvitinidze and models including Maka Asatiani and Tako Chkheidze posed in wheelchairs to support Ana. “Ana is a very smart girl and I am glad that such a talented person is here. We will cooperate with her in future and arrange her photo sessions,” said Avto Tskvitinidze.

The photos portray a glamorous environment, beautiful ladies, expensive dresses and wheelchairs together. This original photo exhibition bears a big social weight.