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A Thousand Words…

by David Bernstein

thousand-words

Friends of Zachary,

They say “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words” or “Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder”. After reading this post, I’ll let you come to your own conclusion.

Zachary has always been somewhat gifted when describing his artistic creativity, ability to draw in abstract or often see’s things from many different perspectives. Zachary was also the recipient of the 2011 All County award for his floral designs using oil pastels.

When Zachary was in fourth grade, he came to Ms. Carol Henderson (Art Teacher) and Ms. Lucille McAssay (Principal) at Waverly Park Elementary school with an idea. The idea was to share the fourth and fifth grade seasonal art projects and prominently display them in an Art Show Setting at an assisted living center in Lynbrook, NY. The purpose was to connect with seniors in the community, share the children’s passion for art and brighten the facility with the beautiful work that was created by these amazing students. The school thought this was a great idea and immediately worked on a plan to execute. Deena and I were so proud to see Zachary’s involvement as he was invited to help shape the program, share his artwork and speak to the senior community about what his artistic influences were and what inspired him to create the piece.

These days, much of Zachary’s enthusiasm for the arts is suspended when he was diagnosed almost 9 months ago. His inability to use his left hand and the inadequacies he suffers from this disease has prevented him from lifting a brush, let alone focus on an early passion he so came to enjoy. With constant encouragement, Deena and I continued to help shepherd these opportunities for Zachary and felt it was time to try to reintroduce his passion…once again.

Over the past few weeks. Zachary has been training his right hand to write and perform the basic penmanship functions as required in Elementary school. Unfortunately, his left hand is still disabled and he continues to force the use of his right hand. Although we see daily struggles, we notice through hard work these improvements are making a difference.

Zachary was recently inspired to work with the canvas once again. The inspiration came when someone very near and dear to him was celebrating her birthday. Zachary is inspired every day as this individual pushes Zachary to be more than he is without compromising his independence and passion for learning. Zachary was determined to create a picture that brings all the elements of recovery into action while taking the time to recognize the nature of this gift. As you will see in posted videos and photo’s the steps he took to create his one of a kind masterpiece…“Morning Joe”

Through the use of blended crayons, melted and redirected with a hair blower, Zachary directed the colors in a way that was appealing to him. This was an incredible project to witness and hopefully my little Picasso could find time to create an original for our home.

Not only was this a great lesson in developing his self esteem, project perseverance and renewed passion for the arts but it reconfirms that anything is possible and no hurdle is ever too high to jump. Zachary was not inspired for the physical act of the painting but the person he was painting for. Passion comes in all shapes and sizes. The simplest act of kindness brings out the most inspiring works of Art.

I hope Zachary continues to be inspired for the arts and moves beyond his current and pushes forward for his future.

Deena and I are so proud of his achievement. Better yet, I think he was too.

Thank you all for your continued support with emails, calls and hugs. Most importantly, thank you to those teachers, doctors, family and community friends who inspire our Zachary to jump every hurdle that stands in his way.

Our Sincerest Appreciation,

Deena, David, Matthew, Zachary

“It Takes A Village”

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