A few days ago I posted about my day job. Three days a week I teach mixed media at an art center for developmentally disabled adults. Been working there nearly fifteen years and it’s an amazingly rewarding job. If you didn’t read that post please take a few minutes to read it now because what I have to say will make more sense if you do. Here’s the link.
Go ahead. I’ll wait. Matter of fact, I’m going to put the tea kettle on.
Back? All caught up? Good. Because now I’ve got a video to share. Please, please PLEASE watch it. It’s less than ten minutes and I guarantee it will challenged any preconceived ideas you have about autism.
Watching this video I saw my client. The gestures, the behaviors, the ability to use technology despite her outward demeanor. I wish you could see her eyes, the light in them when we connect. There’s intelligence there. She KNOWS…
She made this painting on a day when I could get her to paint…there aren’t too many of those. She copied the poem from a book. I’m going to quote it as best I can and hopefully give the author’s name correctly. If anyone recognizes it and can correct me, please do.
“…My mind is like a big yellow bird/the bird is trapped in a world of people/and he dreams of leaving to another world…” Oscar Hanah (?)
She picked the poem herself. She KNOWS…just as I know there’s an iPad angel out there somewhere.
If you have the time, I have one more video for you. A 60 Minutes segment Apps for Autism.
And here’s a link to Carly Fleishman’s blog, the girl from the video at the top of the post. She’s come a long way for a girl who doesn’t talk. A long way….
Before you go, would you do me a favor, please. Help me scatter those iPad seeds out into the universe. Like this post on FaceBook. Retweet it. Share it on your wall. So maybe some day the yellow bird can fly freely into THIS world.
couldn’t we just start a collection? to see if we could raise the money? or maybe start an etsy shop ? I would be willing to put some of my items in it to raise the money!
Hadn’t thought about an etsy shop. How does one go about doin that for a cause?
♥Susan,
Thank you! I am very moved. You are indeed an angel in sharing Carly’s story as well as that of the young girl from the Art Center. I will help you “scatter those iPad seeds out into the universe” through my networks… and I will hold the image of the “yellow bird flying freely into THIS world”. Susie♥
Thank you, Susie! xo
Very profound and touching. Thank you for the share.
You are most welcome, Michelle. Thanks for stopping by.
what a wonderful post and such a touching video. thank you also for sharing the link to her site. i look forward to perusing it tonight.
as for fundraising, there are lots of websites that have donation type tools. i will see if i can remember any of them (the only one i can think of off the top of my head is broadCause). or, perhaps a paypal donation button on here? i will brainstorm a bit and get a hold of a friend of mine who recently did something similar on her art site to keep it going.
Thank you Alicia. Any and all suggestions for fundraising welcome!