Voicing the Invisible is a multidisciplinary music, media, and advocacy project led by Nicolle "Nikki" DeSanto, a disfigured, disabled, and autistic singer-songwriter who has survived over 25 major surgeries since 2021; Many of which lasted between 12-14 hours. These include facial reconstruction, spinal interventions, and long-term oxygen therapy at UCLA, following a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) — a rare, often fatal autoimmune disease. Her case was further complicated by nerve damage, facial paralysis, and extreme neuropathic pain. At several points in her medical journey, doctors did not expect her to live or speak again, let alone sing.
And yet, Nikki sings. With a voice that is both mystifying and precise, she transforms pain into resonance and silence into sound. Voicing the Invisible will fund the professional recording, mixing, and mastering of her debut full-length album, composed of original songs written from her bed, seated in a home studio, and captured between pain episodes. Despite being unable to stand for long periods due to ongoing damage to her peroneal tendon and spine, Nikki has already written and recorded over 100 original songs in recent months.
Nikki’s tenacity is unwavering. Her lived experience is one of extreme adversity, but her mindset remains fixed: when she sets her mind to something, she accomplishes it. Her discipline, forged through years of athletic training and survival, powers everything she creates as an artist. This determination fuels not only her music, but the expansive reach of this project.
This project will also fund the creation of a visual archive — photography and video documenting Nikki's physical and emotional transformation — led by Dominic Maleknia, her nephew and creative collaborator. This content will culminate in a public-facing online platform that is fully accessible, featuring captioned music videos, lyrics, blog entries, medical testimony, and open invitations for audience engagement.
Additionally, Voicing the Invisible will include:
Two fully produced music videos with narrative visuals
A live or virtual album release showcase accessible to disabled audiences
A resilience and storytelling workshop series for disabled artists, caregivers, and youth
An online portfolio to serve as an advocacy and community-building tool
The goal is not simply to make music, but to reframe disability as a creative force