Enzo, 18 years old, militates for more inclusiveness!

 Hello Enzo, can you introduce yourself in a few words? 

My name is Enzo, I am 18 years old and I am in my first year of law school. In a few words, I would say that I am a fighter, courageous, open-minded person who fights for inclusiveness but who thinks like everyone else and not like a disabled person. 

Which limb were you amputated from?

I was born without a right hand and therefore have a bionic hand. I had my first prosthesis at 16 years old because I didn't want one before and my parents didn't necessarily want to guide me towards this choice. 

How did you discover U-exist?

I was placed in a children's home and that's when I started to reconsider the prosthesis. I made an appointment with a doctor who referred me to an ortho-prosthetist and he told me about U-Exist and their designs. Before that day, I always had a bad image of prosthesis because the design was never very appealing. U-Exist was a revolution for me.

What made you change your mind?

I changed my mind at that point because as a person with a disability, you get looks. I realized that with a U-Exist prosthesis you are more likely to be admired and curious. I always wanted to have a prosthesis that was out of the ordinary and today I am very proud of it. I've had it for two years now. 

Can you describe it to us?

It is quite robotic in the spirit of Iron-Man with red, gold and gold colors. I like the robot-futuristic spirit, that's also why I kept a transparent glove. New U-Exist designs are out so I'm looking forward to looking at them for a change. 

What reactions have you seen?

Without the prosthesis, these reactions are quite disturbing and not necessarily pleasant, but with the U-Exist prosthesis it's more admiration, like "look, it's different, it's beautiful"... I created a TikTok account on it (@bioniqueman8) which has more than 15,000 subscribers and 2 million "likes". I use it as a support to talk about inclusiveness. 

Do you notice a before/after of your prosthesis?

Yes, there is. I have accepted my disability, but subconsciously I always put my arm behind my back when I meet someone because I am used to not everyone having the same approach. Usually you meet nice people, but it often happens that they are more interested in my disability than in me. 

Since I've been wearing a bionic hand, I feel like people are more interested in me and my personality, people want to know the journey I took to get this prosthesis. 

Is your prosthesis a means of expression for you?

Yes, it brings out my provocative side. I like to be noticed and interested in me. My prosthesis attracts the eye thanks to its colors, its design... so it works. 

Do you notice a change in the way people look at disability in general?

Yes, in general I find that it changes. After, like all the fights it is never fast enough, but in any case it evolves in the good direction. 

For my part, I will be an ambassador for people with disabilities at my university. I will be present on events (sports among others) to represent this community. I will also participate in the production of a web-series on disability, still at the university. 

Do you feel like students at your university care?

Not necessarily because you have to know the subject to feel concerned I think. For example, we recently had an awareness day with teachers of adapted physical activities, who proposed a wheelchair race. It was a very good activity that showed the reality of things because most of the students were surprised at how difficult it was and understood that they needed to be more interested. You get the impression that it's easy to be in a wheelchair when it's actually super physical. That was the point of the exercise. 

Have you always had this desire to be an activist? 

It started in the second grade. I wasn't fighting specifically for disability but more for differences in general, issues of inclusiveness, sexual discrimination, gender issues... 

In parallel to my investment in the university, I also organize European student parliaments. It's a simulation of the European Parliament with fictitious political parties, we talk about various subjects, we vote laws... 

Is there a political will behind this? 

Of course. What is paradoxical is that in my life I have never had the feeling of being recognized as a "person with a disability", and at the same time my entourage finds my struggle extraordinary so they are ready to encourage me and follow me in my activities.

What major political transformations would you like to see?

The big changes have to come from an educational point of view. We need to address the disability situation in school because that is the weapon that will make people take an interest. I too look at people with disabilities to analyze and understand, but most people don't realize that we are being stared at. It is imperative to educate children about this. 

I've never seen many disabled people in school either. There are special classes, we don't mix and it creates divisions. It's like hiding, we find it humiliating and embarrassing. Many people in this situation go to school at home because their parents are afraid of harassment and discrimination. But for me, disability is not a defect, it's an advantage. As a person I can adapt very quickly to a situation because I have had to do this all my life. These are not only disadvantages. 

What do you want to do later? 

At first I would like to be a lawyer and then I will aim for the presidency to fight for people with disabilities or who have a difference. I would like to be the first president with a disability!