Artist Draws Attention to Disabled Rights by Pairing Disorders and Disabilities with Disney Princesses

Disney princesses usually stand for magic, beauty, and happily ever after, but this artist gave them a very different kind of story. In his series, familiar characters are reimagined with disabilities and paired with service dogs, turning a pop culture favorite into something more pointed.

The project comes from Arien Smith, who uses the artwork to highlight the lack of disabled characters and the realities many disabled people face every day.

Here is a look at the series that is getting people talking.

1) Disney Princess Cinderella

Cinderella lives with fibromyalgia, which is an invisible condition but can be disabling for many people. Her service dog helps her by removing her shoes.Royal Service Dogs

2) Disney Princess Rapunzel

This image represents Complex PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder. C-PTSD is a response to prolonged trauma (often in childhood). The service dog is helping her out of a strong dissociative state, providing tactile stimulation for comfort and grounding.Royal Service Dogs

3) Disney Princess Tiana

Tiana has autism. Her little service dog (small dogs are also great) is not performing a task in this image, but tasks for autistic individuals may include tactile stimulation, disruption of physically harmful behavior, orientation during overstimulation episodes, and anxiety calming.Royal Service Dogs

It’s the same kind of tough call as choosing a therapy dog over a friend’s severe allergies.

4) Disney Princess Belle

Belle has Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Her service dog is demonstrating a blocking stance so she can be alerted if someone approaches her from behind.Royal Service Dogs

5) Disney Princess Snow White

Snow White is allergic to certain foods (the artist made reference to mace). Her service dog alerts her to an allergen in her food.Royal Service Dogs

6) Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty has narcolepsy. Her service dog is holding his head after an episode of daytime drowsiness. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects sleep and arousal.Royal Service Dogs

7) Disney Princess Pocahontas

Pocahontas has diabetes. Her service dog is a medical alert dog, which signals to her through pawing or nudging if her blood sugar is too high or too low.Royal Service Dogs

Given the type of discrimination disabled people face around the world, various individuals have come forward to express their views on the matter. This artist chose to lend his voice through his skills, as demonstrated in the list above.

What do you think about his work? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Wait, read why the poster said no to adopting their best friend’s dog after her plea, and got slammed for it.