Switching from a paintbrush to a keyboard to communicate with society was a step that Nalutporn Krairiksh took to fulfil a dream to speak up, to be heard, and to connect with the world around her.

ThisAble.me is the first and only media platform in Thailand that aims to challenge perceptions and bring disability issues to the forefront — to show that disabled people are equally human. This platform was founded by journalist Nalutporn Krairiksh.

We rummage through her childhood experiences to find those that inspire her today, along with some of her published stories that have created an impact and raised awareness for others. 

The Struggle Starts

At the age of nine, Nalutporn was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Doctors told her she would need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life and because of that school life was never easy for her. She couldn’t spend much time with friends during lunch breaks and found it difficult to take part in many school activities. Later, during her time at Chulalongkorn University in the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, she mentioned how the old building – unfriendly for the disabled — made it challenging for her to get to class. Nalutporn thanks her friends who helped carry her or accompanied her to various school offices, support that later helped her graduate. 

While at university Nalutporn applied for an internship as a reporter covering disability issues at the website Prachatai, although at first she had planned to work as an illustrator for children’s books. During her time at Prachatai, she began to see how disabled people in Thai society were often not treated with the same dignity as others.

After graduating in 2015, Nalutporn became a full-time journalist at Prachatai. Her experiences led her to establish ThisAble.me, a platform focused on disability-related issues in 2017.

ThisAble.me aims to move away from traditional views of disability and show that the lives of disabled people are affected not only by their physical or mental struggles. They also have the same challenges as normal people, such as ambitions, friendships, careers and relationships.

Stories Told With Purpose

As we explore her journey, we pause on the phrase “an art student who swapped her paintbrush for a keyboard”, which appears in her bio on the ThisAble.me website, and it sets the tone for her story. No matter what life has brought her way, Nalutporn has never strayed from her dream of being someone who speaks up for her rights and those of others. Changing the tools she uses has never changed her purpose. Here are some heartfelt pieces she’s written, each carrying a powerful message to the world.

Nabdao Ongapichart, An Inspiration for Deaf LGBTQ+ People 

The piece is written through the story of Nabdao Ongapichart, a president of Deaf Thai Rainbow Club, who has been instrumental in teaching prevention methods for deaf people related to HIV/AIDS or drug use. They also invite people from various organisations to share knowledge and raise awareness as many deaf people are often unaware of their legal rights and entitlements. It explores the different aspects of the problems faced by deaf individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ in Thailand. Nabdao is celebrated for her efforts to create inclusive spaces for the deaf LGBTQ+ community.

Advocating for Awareness and Respect

Another article is a summary of three talks from the Freedom or Fragile Freedom event co-hosted by the Phutthamonthon Independent Living Centre, ThisAble.me, Prachatai and Koh-Kae, under the the specific panel “How Does Harassment Happen?”. The discussion highlighted personal experiences of harassment, which later led to a shared agreement on the need for greater awareness and sensitivity when interacting with people with disabilities. The speakers advocated for respectful dialogue, emphasising that curiosity should never override personal boundaries. What Nalutporn aims to achieve through this piece is to broaden people’s perspectives, encouraging them to recognise the discrimination faced by people with disabilities and the need to be treated equally. 

Disability Health Education and Peer Empowerment

This one focuses on the often-overlooked health challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Thailand. It highlights the experiences of Wansao Chaikul, Secretary of the Independent Living Foundation for Persons with Disabilities (APCD), a regional training centre focused on empowering persons with disabilities that has been actively involved in health promotion initiatives since 2017. It discusses how health issues beyond the immediate concerns of disability, such as urinary tract infections, pressure sores and chronic conditions like diabetes, are frequently neglected. Wansao encourages people with disabilities to become peer health promoters, believing that sharing experiences and practical knowledge within the community is an effective way to improve overall health. 

Clearly, from the three pieces, we see how her focus is never solely on her own disability, but rather on exploring the struggles of others and highlighting the importance of equal rights and dignity for everyone. Nalutporn uses her platform to amplify diverse voices within the disability community, challenging societal perceptions and advocating for inclusion, respect and real change.

Empowering Disability Rights Through Dialogue

Nalutporn sees gradual changes in society’s perception of people with disabilities, which she views as a positive development. She feels ThisAble.me has helped to foster understanding and connection between people with disabilities and those without. She understands that changing societal attitudes towards people with disabilities in Thailand will take time, but she remains dedicated to advocating for their rights.
Nalutporn continues to host talk sessions on various topics, with her latest discussion on “When People with Physical Disabilities Face an Earthquake.” She also participates in podcasts to share her journey and inspire others. Her goal is to create a platform that feels equal and friendly in the modern world, as reflected in her statement on the ThisAble.me platform: “The coolest disability media in Thailand!”