OT World 50 Years

This illustration was created for the 50th anniversary of OTWorld, the world’s leading trade show and congress for prosthetics, orthotics, mobility solutions and rehabilitation. The objective was to celebrate five decades of technological progress while maintaining a clear focus on the people whose lives are supported by these innovations.
Rather than centering assistive technologies themselves, the artwork emphasizes the individuality of the people who use them. Each character represents a unique life story, personal interests, ambitions, aspirations and experiences. Children, adults and older people are brought together within a single visual narrative to reflect both the diversity of human lives and the lifelong relevance of rehabilitation technologies. Prosthetic limbs, orthoses, exoskeletons, wheelchairs and other assistive devices are presented not as defining characteristics, but as tools that enable individuals to pursue their own goals, identities and ways of life.
The illustration was informed by extensive research into contemporary rehabilitation technologies and the lived experiences of their users. Particular attention was given to creating an authentic and respectful representation of different abilities, life situations and identities. Each figure was intentionally designed with a distinct posture, activity and personality, reinforcing the idea that people should never be defined by the technologies they use.
A distinctive aspect of the project lies in the perspective from which it was created. The illustration was developed by a researcher specialising in upper-limb prosthetics who is also a prosthesis user. The artwork itself was drawn using a prosthetic hand, combining academic expertise with lived experience. Presented during the opening ceremony of OTWorld 2026 and adopted as part of the official anniversary communication, the project demonstrates that the true value of rehabilitation technology is measured not only by technical innovation, but by its ability to support self-determination, participation and quality of life.