My daughter Rose was born with a brain malformation that made developmental milestones far apart and distant. She struggled with speech because of verbal apraxia. She also had trouble with academic learning and with sensory experiences due to a processing disorder. These delays resulted in unpredictable behaviors, and why wouldn’t they? Think of the frustration of not being able to express yourself with language until six years old!

Unfortunately, her delays and related behaviors made some people push her away. I’m sorry to say that several of her teachers failed to show patience with her and chose not to let her learn. Her art teacher in elementary school was one of the first to leave her out. This individual actually lied and claimed that the school’s administration had told her to have Rose removed from her classroom if Rose wouldn’t sit in a chair. As you can probably infer, I am still very bitter about that.

The arts are a fundamental means of communication. My daughter needed a means of communication. She is naturally creative and imaginative. I spent those early years trying to compensate for her missed studio arts education, and it paid off. Rose’s painting “Cloud” was selected for a gallery show when she was seven years old. Fast forward 16 (!) years and Rose spends 3 days a week at a studio/gallery with other artists living with disabilities. 

The point of all this personal revelation is that ART IS FOR EVERYONE. The arts are good for our outlook and our brains. The arts build community. Creating is good for our self-concept. Art is also joyful, and a basic instinct. So, arrange flowers. Make up a song. Write poetry. Paint. Sew. Weave baskets and make lace. Take photos. Share your creations with the world. We need more art, from everyone.