The French association ‘Autour des Williams’ gives a voice to young adults with Williams-Beuren syndrome in the song and accompanying clip “Même Oxygène”.
How can we talk about disability without focusing solely on the challenges it presents? How can we raise awareness without confining people to a diagnosis? The charity Autour des Williams answers these questions through music.
The music video features twenty-four young adults with Williams-Beuren syndrome. This art project aims to raise awareness of this rare genetic condition whilst conveying a more universal message about difference, inclusion and living together.
The chorus sets the tone: ‘We don’t have to be like you’ or ‘We breathe the same oxygen’. Far from claiming to be ‘normal’ in any way, the participants embrace their uniqueness and invite everyone to move beyond the prejudices that still surround disability.
A true ode to tolerance, love and sharing, this collaborative work was created to raise public awareness of the richness of diversity and to combat prejudice.
Même Oxygène also reflects a broader shift in the way disability is viewed. “Long approached from the perspective of care or compensation, disability is now viewed more in terms of participation in social, cultural and civic life. Those affected no longer wish simply to be supported; they also want to be seen, heard and recognised for who they are. From this perspective, music offers a unique language. It enables us to forge connections, stir emotions and break down certain barriers more effectively than long speeches. In Même Oxygène, it becomes both a means of expression and a tool for raising awareness.
At a time when issues of inclusion are taking centre stage in public debate, this initiative serves as a reminder of something that should go without saying: difference is not something on the fringes of society. It is an integral part of it. And sometimes, just a few notes are enough to remind us of this.
