Art by special kids, for stricken kids

The exhibit recently held by Differently Special Achievers Movement in Mandaluyong City featured the works of 18 budding artists.— KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ

They have their own special needs—but they have the talent and the spirit to help others in deeper need.

An art exhibit mounted by 18 children growing up with various disabilities recently helped raise funds for kids with cancer.

The project, held last week at The Podium in Mandaluyong City, featured the works of budding artists gathered by Differently Special Achievers Movement, a nongovernment organization composed of volunteer SPED (special education) teachers and therapists.

From landscapes and still lifes, from cartoon characters to family scenes, the paintings reflected a level of joy and creativity unfettered by their creators’ physical or mental limitations.

The exhibit, which ran for only a few hours, was able to raise around P10,000 for the benefit of Child Haus, a center that looks after children with cancer, according to Karen Navarro, one of the founders of Special Achievers.

Can-do spirit

“The exhibit really is an awareness campaign. We want people to rally behind our artists,” said Navarro, a SPED teacher and occupational therapist. “We want to show what they can do rather than what they cannot do, which is always emphasized in society.”
Established in 2013, Special Achievers seeks to help PWDs (persons with disabilities) develop and improve various aspects of their lives, including their ability to express themselves through visual arts, music and dance.

“The exhibit is part of our expressions program. We discover children who are good and promote their work so people can see them in a different light. Because sometimes when we say ‘special,’ people automatically say they deserve our pity. But if you focus on what they are good at, children with special needs can actually go beyond (expectations).”

Minds unleashed

The arts, Navarro said, could help children unleash their imagination as well as manage their mood and control their anger.

The SPED teacher cited Erin Evangelista, an ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) patient, who would become more relaxed as she filled the canvas with colors.

Erin’s mother Maebelline, said her husband Eric was “in denial” at first about their daughter’s condition but later learned to appreciate what she could do.

“If there are manifestations (of her condition), we should not be in denial so we can help our children. I’m blessed because Erin is multitalented. She is also a good singer,” Eric said.

“Before, she threw a stapler and other things at me. Now she feels happy—happy and accepted,” Maebelline said.

Meanwhile, for Ravi, a boy with a communication disability, art has become a fuel of sorts. Navarro said the kid was recently commissioned to do 25 Yoga cards, which would later be put on sale as another fundraiser for Child Haus.

Another special child, Makir, learned how to draw at age 11. Three years later, the boy, who was born deaf and later had cochlear implants, won first place in his school’s poster-making contest.

During the exhibit, 17-year-old Alex Diangkinay was all smiles as viewers surrounded her to ask about her drawing, which showed her in a bonding moment with friends. “I believe that anyone, with or without disabilities, can do anything, make something happen, and bring something to life,” said Alex, a student who has bilateral hearing loss.

Earlier success

Miggy Ignacio, meanwhile, is into abstract painting, exuding confidence in his brushstrokes—despite his autism.

During its first year, Special Achievers already pulled off a successful fundraiser by tapping two students with autism—the then 10-year-old Miggy and 11-year-old Miguel Pedroso. The collaboration produced and sold 500 bags made from recycled materials and bearing the boys’ artworks, with the proceeds going to the NGO’s mentorship program.

Two years ago, 10 artists assembled by Special Achieves were featured in the 2015 calendar project sponsored by the Cebu-based Prosel Pharma Inc. and Brahma Kumaris, an international group providing spiritual education.

This year, Special Achievers is working on a partnership with a public elementary school where its SPED teachers will mentor children with disabilities.

A follow-up art exhibit is in the works and possibly another fundraiser, this time featuring the special children’s musical talents, Navarro said.