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Candy's Art
(By Sandy Waters)
My husband Robert secretly nominated me for "Autism Hero" and when he told me that they had chosen me as a runner up I was shocked!! Robert then told me that they were holding a Hero's Ball and they invited us to attend so I happily agreed.
It was crowded at the autism fundraiser being held in a converted loft in downtown Chicago on a chilly wet night. We sat in a huge room where the silent auction was being held in which we had donated one of our eight year old daughter's paintings for the silent auction. The autism organization put the painting next to a small Tiffany lamp that I was eyeing. At the auction there was about 150 items to bid on and each item had a piece of paper on a clipboard where people could write the amount they would like to bid for that item. Our daughter's painting starting bid was $50. As the evening progressed I would periodically check on the bids for Candace's painting. To my amazement there were many bids and it was now up to $90!! Through the night there was a bidding war going on for Candace's painting ($95, $100, $110, up and up)!!! It was so exciting!! Finally, when the bidding stopped Candace's painting sold for $300!! WOW!!! Candace's painting out sold the Tiffany lamp it was next to and there were other paintings by famous artists that sold for less.
We asked the young gentleman who was the successful bidder why he bought Candace's painting? He said the most wonderful thing and I quote "When I first reviewed the list items in the silent auction brochure I knew immediately that I wanted to obtain Candy’s painting at any price. To me, it was the most meaningful item available. The painting will be proudly displayed in my work office". My husband and I were floored, it was a extraordinary experience we will never forget.
Now, I would like to give you some background information about my daughter Candace. Candace was born on September 8th, 2000 and she was my first child. She was perfect and she has beautiful bright red hair, she looked like a little doll. She was developing normally by talking, pointing, counting, etc... etc... till about two and a half years old. All of a sudden she started to lose her speech and she stopped pointing. She was diagnosed with autism at three years old. This was so devastating for my husband and I and we did not know what to do? So, we enrolled her in speech therapy and occupational therapy in order to help her. Candace has severe behavioral issues in which her temper matches her hair (red and firery). She can be so sweet one minute and the next, look out!! My husband always sang and played the guitar for Candace because she has always loved music and it seems to calm her. Recently, Candace has started painting. She loves to paint lines, circles and use different colors. My husband runs around the yard and holds the canvas so Candace can paint and she laughs and it makes her happy. Her specialty is the sun because she loves to be outdoors so much.
We host a monthly Radio Program on Autism One Radio called "The Candy Store" named after our daughter Candace. We just interviewed Donna J. Betts, PhD who is a art therapist for children with autism. In the interview Dr. Betts was discussing the many benefits of art therapy for example; people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms of stress and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities and enjoy life-affirming pleasures of making art. I certainly agree with all the wonderful things that comes from creating art and it has done Candace a world of good. Recently, one of Candace's paintings was displayed in our towns city hall. Our Mayor Howard Frimark of Park Ridge, IL. sent us a wonderful letter in which he stated about Candace's painting "It is truly a welcoming stimulation to the eyes and a beautiful addition to our building for all residents to see".
There were several stories written in the newspapers talking about Candace's painting. Now, Candace paints all the time. Her art will be in a soon to be published new book called "Artism". Also, a wonderful organization called Kindtree.org has put Candace's art on greeting cards. Art therapy is one of the great ways for Candace to express herself and I recommend it highly for all children with autism. We have four of Candace's "Sun" paintings hanging on our living room walls. A salesman came to our house one day and asked who the artist was? We told him it was our daughter who has autism. He thought her paintings were very interesting. He pointed out that the suns rays have primary colors in them but you have to look through a prism to see them. Maybe, she sees things that we don't or can't? One day I hope and pray to ask her. Now we focus on helping our daughter Candace and increasing autism awareness for all children and adults afflicted with autism.
My husband always said that autism is like making a wrong turn down a long and bumpy road with no exits. However, Candace has come a long way from when she was first diagnosed. We are very proud of all her hard work and our goal is to show people that children with autism are creative and productive members of society and should be valued. Many people lose sight of that fact and need to be reminded often and when they do, I'll be there.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you and I can be contacted by e-mail at rwaters@autismone.org Our radio program "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio can be heard via the Internet at www.autismone.org/radio
Faith, Love & Hope,
Sandy Waters
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Here is some of Candy's Art
