About this Artist
Name
Waiyee Hui
Birth Year
1988
State
Washington
Rare Disease Affiliation
Antisynthetase Syndrome
Staying Afloat reflects my journey living with Antisynthetase Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with in 2023. My symptoms made everyday tasks nearly impossible – standing from a chair, raising my arms to get dressed, and catching my breath after walking a few steps.
The background resembles muscle tissue, symbolizing the pain of Polymyositis, while the hand evokes the sensation of being underwater, mirroring my breathlessness and emotional fight to stay afloat in a life reshaped by illness.
Growing up in an Asian household, I was taught to endure silently and hide weakness. Illness was something to be hidden. My rare disease challenged that silence. I had to advocate for myself – pushing for answers, care, and understanding in a system that overlooks stories like mine.
Creating this piece was physically demanding at times due to limited arm strength and fatigue, but it became a form of healing. Through art, I speak up – not just for myself, but for others navigating similar paths in isolation.
To me, advocacy means turning personal struggle into shared purpose. This piece is intended to help others feel seen and heard. Staying afloat is an act of courage and advocacy.
