Chicago Tribune

Artist with disability remains resilient as she looks for opportunities to work after falling into homelessness

A worker arranges art pieces next to paintings depicting Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, created by mixed media artist Monserrat Moran, on display during a panel discussion about living as an immigrant with disabilities at the General Consulate of Mexico, March 23, 2023, in Chicago.

CHICAGO -- There was a time, in her younger years, when Monserrat Moran, lived for her dreams, just like any other kid. She wanted to be an artist, fall in love, have her own family and buy a home. But as she grew older, she was constantly reminded that she was different from everyone else at her Chicago high school, and that perhaps those dreams would never come true.

Monse, as her mother calls her, is now 35. She was born with phocomelia syndrome, a birth defect characterized by severe malformation of the extremities.

In her case, Moran’s arms and legs are severely shortened and she does not have hands. Against

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