RSU senior JC Battles poses in front of two of his works of art in a recent art show on campus.
Over the years, social media has given rise to several memorable campaigns.
Whether it was the Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino campaign, ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge, or Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign, social media has served as fertile ground for ideas to take root.
Rogers State University student JC Battles has a message of his own that he hopes will go viral: Don’t Dis My Ability.
“For my capstone (project), I’m creating a social awareness platform/campaign based on my own motto, ‘Don’t Dis my Ability,’ which means that just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they’re not capable and able to do great things,” Battles said. “It’s about focusing on someone’s strengths and abilities instead of their limitations.”
But it’s not just a saying for Battles. It’s a way of life.
RSU student JC Battles
Every day, he works to overcome the challenges of living with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury, choosing not to be defined by his diagnosis, but to define himself and to follow his own path.
A path that led him to Rogers State University.
“I’ve lived in Catoosa all my life – that’s where I graduated from high school in 2014 – and many of my cousins and friends were going to Rogers State University, so this is where I decided to go,” he said. “I’m glad I did.”
Battles said he’s had a lifelong appreciation and love of art, so he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Artsa in visual arts with a graphic design option at RSU, allowing him to channel his natural creativity while earning a college degree.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed looking at books, picture books especially,” he said. “I also enjoy working with electronic devices and have used one to help me communicate for many years, so I thought ‘Why not combine them both?,’” he said. “Due to my differing abilities, my artwork is often a little abstract or nontraditional, but I’ve had a lot of fun learning more about the different aspects and mediums of art.”
So honed has his artistic skill become since coming to RSU, two of his watercolor pieces – “Sailor’s Moon” and “Balanced Rock” – were selected to be displayed in the Gary Moeller Gallery at the recent Student Art Competition exhibit.
“Both of these (works) were created in Watercolors II (course),” he said. “For ‘Sailor’s Moon,’ I did a stained glass rendition (of the character), which is something I came across when I searched for interesting stained glass examples. I thought that looked unique, and I’d never put anything into an art show, so I wanted to have that experience before I graduated.
“For the landscape – ‘Balanced Rock’ – I painted it from a photograph that my great-aunt had taken when she was traveling and posted on Facebook,” he said. “I chose it because I thought the rock looked like a funny little animal that was in one of the ‘Ice Age’ movies.”
Battles is currently a member of the Art Club but has previously been involved in Christians in Action (CIA), Student Organization for Disability Awareness (SODA), and he has served in the Student Government Association (SGA) as a club representative.
When he’s not studying or creating art, Battles enjoys bowling, which he does in a league, competing in Bocce, spending time with at the lake with family and friends on his boat, playing cards, and riding around in his lifted Chevy Silverado 2500 truck with an under-vehicle lift for his wheelchair which he calls “Chomper.”
As he approaches graduation, Battles reflects on his time at RSU with fondness.
“The campus is beautiful here, and the people are the best,” he said. “The people at RSU have always been very supportive of me, whether that’s been through the accommodations they allow or having an aid and using a device for communications. The professors have been great to work with me and do what they can to help me achieve my goal of being a college graduate.”
After graduation, Battles said he plans to move forward with a career in graphic design.
“I’d planned to stick mostly with freelance work, but my internship showed me that having a remote position with a corporation is a viable option,” he said. “I’m excited to see what the future has in store for me.”
Battles said he also hopes to create a foundation, any proceeds from which will go towards scholarships for people living with challenges to purchase adaptive equipment to help them follow their own dreams.
Learn more about RSU’s available resources and accommodations for students with physical challenges.
Two works of art by RSU senior JC Battles were recently on display in a student art show on the Claremore campus.