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 non-government 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).”

SOURCE: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/883806/art-by-special-kids-for-stricken-kids#%20ixzz4cO0gFBFf