Social service empowers women facing physical challenges

In 2017, she and two other female friends founded BEST, which was initially a concentrated supporting group and gradually evolved to a registered NGO two years later.

The organization is working to reconstruct the outlook on life of people with disabilities, and to promote the equal and seamless social integration of the group, with drama therapy, art salons and documentaries.

In 2018, Peng directed a documentary recording the lives of women with disabilities. Entitled Jackdaw: Sisters with Disability in China, the documentary highlights the stories of four women, who, with different types of disabilities, provided diverse examples of life experiences.

Most of these women, despite various obstacles, are now living life to the full. One of them is suspected as having osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), but never went to the hospital to get an official diagnosis. She started her first job and her own independent life at the age of 36.

"I wanted to film the documentary because I always loved watching documentaries. In particular a documentary about disabled women who suffered from domestic violence resonated with me greatly,"Peng says.

"So I thought we could also use video recordings to present the current situations of disabled women in China. If others can do it, then I also can make it happen. Fortunately I also had people who were willing to support me."

The name "jackdaw" is a metaphor for female power, and according to Peng, jackdaws are a group of united and tenacious birds. In winter, they fly in formation over the tundra of Siberia to the warmer regions, without leaving anyone behind.

The disability arts forum is hosted by the British Council, Beijing Body On&On Culture Center and Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. Ge Huichao, founder of Body On&On, has been working with BEST since early this year, and provided a high evaluation of Peng and her organization.

"Every time I listen to her speech, I would feel deeply moved by the truthful and powerful vitality of hers," Ge says.

"BEST has a strong team of founders and advanced artistic means in empowering women. I believe they have the potential to take up leadership roles. Instead of arousing public sympathy with sad stories, they are flourishing with vivacity, which is really precious."

Peng portrays her perception of disability arts with poetic simile:"The hardship of people with disabilities maximizes their sensitivity to art, and art provides them with an outlet. Disability and art are the light of each other, and the light will illuminate the lives of these individuals."