The Art of Resilience: Amanda Peters on Chronic Creativity

Follow Amanda's journey on Instagram @chronically._.creative and discover how art becomes both healing and revolutionary in the hands of someone determined to increase representation through creativity.

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From the 2025 Abilities Expo in Chicago comes a powerful SpeedCast that packs an emotional punch in just under eight minutes. Meet Amanda Peters, the creative force behind "Chronically Creative," whose journey through over 100 surgeries has transformed into an artistic mission to increase wheelchair representation in digital art.

Amanda candidly shares her life with spina bifida, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and hydrocephalus—challenges that kept her frequently hospitalized yet sparked a creative awakening. "I started getting into design once I entered a bit more of a healthy era," she explains, noting her disappointment at the scarcity of wheelchair-inclusive artwork despite millions of Americans who use mobility devices. 

What makes Amanda's art distinctive is her digital approach. Using an iPad with a stylus, she overcomes hand tremors through digital filtering tools, allowing her to create whenever inspiration or health permits. This adaptive technique emerged during COVID when she found herself with fewer surgeries and more creative energy. Her mother introduced her to crafting as therapy—a way to focus on creation rather than pain.

Perhaps most striking is Amanda's perspective, summed up by her t-shirt: "Chronically ill, I prefer medically fascinating." This outlook culminates in her parting wisdom that resonates far beyond disability communities: "Try to take different risks and do new things, even if you're not quite sure you're going to be able to do it, because chances are you're going to be surprised at what you actually are capable of."