“I just want to say, whoever paired us together, I owe you almost everything.”
Bernard’s words perfectly sum up what this collaboration has meant to me. Working with him reminded me that collaboration isn’t just a word, it’s a practice, one rooted in trust, curiosity, and care.
Being paired with Bernard for this challenge exceeded every expectation I had. It affirmed me not only as a disabled model and creative but as someone deserving of partnership at the highest level of craft. Through strategy meetings that turned into hangouts, strings of texts and phone calls filled with laughter, deep dives into prosthetics, and moments of shared vulnerability, I witnessed what true collaboration between the disabled and non-disabled community looks like.
I so admire Bernard’s creative eye and how effortlessly it expands beyond jewelry, into clothing, mechanics, and the nuanced ways form meets function. His ability to see beauty in both accessibility and adaptation reshaped how I viewed my myoelectric prosthetic, transforming it from something utilitarian into something expressive.
Bernard, your generosity, patience, and brilliance left an imprint I’ll carry with me forever. You welcomed me into your world with such openness and intention, and in doing so, helped me see my own work and body through a new lens. I’m endlessly grateful for you, and for
@tiltingthelens the
@cfda and
@voguemagazine for bringing us together. Thank you
@tommyhilfiger
Thank you to
@thesineadburke for your mentorship and for helping open this beautiful world to our community.
And thank you to the other disabled muses who lifted me up throughout this journey, cheering you on made this truly an honor of a lifetime. 🖤
