"When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras." - Dr Theodore Woodward, 1940s. 

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This phrase is commonly taught to medical students to train them to expect common illnesses rather than rare diagnoses. In turn, this caused the zebra to become a symbol for rare disease, specifically Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

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Georgia. Zebra Not Horse. is a portrait of Georgia Francis by her mother Elaine O'Neill. It depicts life with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, one of many illnesses referred to as an "invisible illness". This painting is an expression of love from mother to daughter to say "I see you". ​

 

Georgia. Zebra Not Horse. was selected for the Scottish Arts Trust's Scottish Portrait Awards 2024. As part of the exhibition, it is touring Scotland from September 2024 to March 2025. The piece exhibited in the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh, Duff House in Banff, and the Scottish Arts Club in Glasgow.