What's in a Signature?

Bobiam Gallery Uptown Minneapolis
Minnesota - Exhibition April 2013

On Sunday April 7^th, 2013 Bobiam Gallery in Minneapolis hosted a reception for Jimmy.  He is exhibiting at the gallery for the month of April. Several years ago, Jimmy was invited to be one of Bobiam’s first T-Shirt artists.  Last fall, Bill Farrell from Bobiam asked if Jimmy would consider an exhibition in their Minneapolis Gallery. 

Bobiam - 2nd floor Lagoon and Hennepin
Minneapolis, Minnesota 

We agreed and decided that April would be the right time.  I didn’t think about it until later that April is Autism Awareness month and April 2^nd is designated by the United Nations as World Autism Day. So, April is a good month for Jimmy to show his work.  

Goodbye Ron - on exhibition
at the Good Purpose Gallery
Lee, MA April and May 2013

He is also exhibiting in Lee Massachusetts in April and May at the Good Purpose Gallery and will have his painting Maggie Live Auctioned on April 28^th to raise money for the University of St Thomas Scholarship fund.

 

The Bobiam reception was attended by a nice sized crowd….some folks I knew and many that I did not.  Jimmy’s speech pathologist from elementary school was in attendance.  She is a very skilled and open minded woman whom I’ve always respected.  She worked with Jimmy when we were full of hope that he would recover his language.  She walked through the Gallery surprised and enjoying Jimmy’s work.  She and I were talking in front of one of his paintings and she remarked “look at his signature.  It’s the same as

it was when I worked with him.”  She paused in thought…..what are we teaching? She and I remember regular discussions with school staff about the importance of using upper and lower case letters….working on cursive….does it really matter? No, it doesn’t. Was making sure that Jimmy capitalized letters properly or learned cursive helping him to communicate?  The question might be where should we focus our time and spend our resources? What tools should measure success?  What goals are important? What will create future value?

Man with Pipe - signature on face

Dad signature in the eye

Jimmy’s signature in his artwork is unique in the color he signs in and the locations where he signs…..To those of us in the mainstream, his signature is present in very curious locations like in the eye of a subject as in his piece titled Dad  or on the face as in Man with Pipe or in a vase of flowers as in 

Dr Barnes - can you see the
signature in the flowers?

Dr. Barnes.  To Jimmy, these locations make perfect sense. To many of the rest of us…..shouldn’t it be in the lower right or left corners? Isn’t that what we were taught? 

Last year, I received a call from a man who had attended WineFest, the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital event where Jimmy had been the Featured Artist.  This fellow runs a division of a large national company in the Twins Cities. When he called, he told me that he was driving to work one day and saw the WineFest billboard that had Jimmy’s painting Café at Night on it.

Cafe at Night - University of Minnesota
Amplatz Children's Hopsital
WineFest No 17
Featured Artist

He noted the artwork and wanted to know who the artist was…..he loved the painting. So, he googled WineFest to see the painting in full view.  He thought….now that is an interesting signature?????It looks so different….perhaps, child like yet the painting is so sophisticated and full of vibrant color.  So, he googled Jimmy……and learned about the artist.  He attended WineFest and was struck by both Jimmy’s artwork and his challenges.  It was the art and Jimmy’s unique signature that attracted this man’s attention.  This experience had

Jimmy Reagan on the roof top of Seven
restaurant in Downtown Minneapolis
with one of his billboards.

such a profound impact on this man that he asked me to come and talk with some of his employees.  It opened his eyes to something totally unexpected and valuable. 

So….what’s in a signature?  Changing minds and attitudes? I hope so. What does Jimmy’s signature say about him? Who he is?  He is an artist? He doesn’t see life in a conventional way and that’s okay……in fact, it’s beautiful and valuable.

Jimmy Reagan with Target Corp employees
at Sunfish Cellars for Jimmy's Erik's Minnesota
Adventures tour.
Coloring contest winner selection

Jimmy’s artwork with his unique signature has raised over $25,000 this year for organizations in the Twins Cities.

What’s in your signature? 

www.bobiam.com

http://www.bvpac.org/good-purpose-gallery/

www.thewinefest.org

www.eriksranch.org 

What Speaks to You

Goodbye Ron -24"x30" Acrylic on Canvas 2012
This painting will be on display in Lee, MA from
April 5th to May 26th at the Good Purpose Gallery

I love the Pier One commercial where the woman walks through the store and different items in the store talk to her.  Of course, no one else can hear what is speaking to her. Yet, she finds simple joy from the experience and surprise at finding what speaks to hear.   This made me think about what speaks to me and how this commercial illustrates something bigger.

For those managing autism, using the word “speaks” can be frightening - since by definition autism is a communication disorder.  To some extent, all of us struggle to speak, communicate and find our voice.   Perhaps, we should think of this less as a deficiency and more of a wonderful lifelong challenge in efforts to learn, grow and experience life to our fullest capacity.  

Girl from Egypt - 24"x30" Acrylic on Canvas 2012

I was recently reminded that we all start as a blank slate not knowing what speaks to us except the cuddles and comfort of those that care for us in our newborn helpless state. Our dear friend Jaci gave birth to twin girls last week.  Jaci cared for our five kids and worked with Jimmy for many years.   Before the babies were born last week, Jaci sent me a text hoping that “ the girls would pack their bags and come home”.  I chuckled understanding that a full term pregnant mom with twins will be happy to deliver her babies and be able to tie her own shoes again.  I reminded her that the girls won’t be bringing bags…they’ll show up naked, without money, instruction book or means to shares their needs and desires.…they are a clean slate full love for those that gave them life.  As humans, we develop our voice over time and our voice is influenced by many experiences. We learn what speaks to us as we become exposed to the world and develop a taste for life.  We learn what speaks to us with the help of those around us.

Elizabeth diptych with Jim - 16"x20"
Acryllc on Canvas 2012
Will be on display in Lee MA
at the
Good Purpose Gallery from
 April 5th through
May 26th, 2013

Jim diptych with Elizabeth- 16"x20"
Acrylic on Canvas 2012
Will be on display in Lee MA
at the
Good Purpose Gallery from
 April 5th through
May 26th, 2013

For people with autism, finding words and speaking is a challenge. But, that doesn’t mean that finding what speaks to them doesn’t or won’t happen. People frequently ask me how I found Jimmy’s love/talent for art? I didn’t.  He did.  All I did was be open to the suggestion of someone else. Jimmy’s tutor, Pat Pendelton asked, “I have a friend who is an artist and is interested in kids with autism, would you be open to her working with Jimmy.”  My response, “sure.” Why not? Boy, that was hard. I truly believe, that sometimes, solutions/opportunities are simple and in plane sight.

I am grateful that Jimmy is pursuing something he clearly loves and finds motivating.  I have often thought, what happens if he decides that he doesn’t want to produce art any more? What will he do? How will he feel? How will I feel? Art has given him opportunities that are truly meaningful in so many ways and it is a big part of our lives these days. Well, I’m not going to panic cause that could happen and I have no control over Jimmy’s desire to create art no more than I have control over my other kids choices. So, I will do my best to expose him to new things that he might find interesting that captures his attention. I try to do the same thing for myself in order to keep motivated…try new things, be open and grow.

Girl in India - 16"x20" Acrylic on Canvas 2013

I hoped for many years that Jimmy would be “normal.” I have changed my thoughts on the word “normal.”  Normal as defined by Webster “conforming to the standard or the common type”.  Hummm….that doesn’t sound too interesting does it? Conforming to a standard. Maybe normal is actually boredom and lack of interest.  Perhaps, life might be more dynamic than “normal” full of color, challenge and change.  Normal might also mean complacent. So, I’ve decided that “normal” isn’t a way I’d like Jimmy or any of my kids defined. I have hope for lives full of dynamic color, challenge and change.

Pretty Girl in Orange Dress and Pearls - 24"x36"
Acrylic on Canvas 2013
Donated to the Visitation Merrie Market for Live Auction

Maggie - 16:x20" Acrylic on Canvas 2012
Donated to the University of St. Thomas 10th Anniversary
Parent Network Scholarship Fundraiser fro Live Auction 

Brian’s grandmother died shy of 105^th birthday.  I adored her. She lost her hearing at age 10 – a genetic degenerative disorder.  She graduated from Berkley in 1924 and received a Master in Anthropology at the U of MN.  There were no hearing aids then.  She learned to read lips and read voraciously.  In college, she clasped a rubber paddle in her mouth during class to help her eardrums vibrate so she could pick up a few words. She never complained about losing her hearing….it didn’t define who she was although it was a part of who she was.  In her late 90’s, she asked me to buy periodicals which described computers and new technology.  I was somewhat surprised.  She said, “ I have to read about mega bits and other things related to computers so I can do my cross word puzzles.” I thought amazing….life long learning. She was mentally engage until she was about 102 when she lost much of her eyesight affecting her ability to read text and faces.  She was very connected to Jimmy and his struggles to communicate.  She worried that Jimmy’s autism was related to her genetic hearing loss.  I regularly assured her that I didn’t believe there was a connection. I see Jimmy much the way I viewed her.  She was able to find ways to cope and over come her disability living a long, full and vibrant life.  While Jimmy needs others to place opportunities in front of him, Jimmy is the one who makes the choices of what speaks to him….only he really knows.

So, finding “What Speaks to You”, can be a wonderful life long mission full of color, challenge and adventure!

Oh, the places you can go!

Orange Cafe at Night - 16"x20"
Acrylic on Canvas 2012

Oh, the places you can go……the world has been expanded for Jimmy Reagan.

Jimmy has excelled in Geography since he was young….memorizing the states, capitols and continents with great ease.  His art pieces are frequently named for places our family has travelled or places he would like to go.  In recently months when we ask him were he would like to travel, he starts big….China, Japan, France, Italy, Australia…..then quickly onto every state in the US.  Travelling by air to these places has never been an option for Jimmy. 

We have taken many trips to Montana by car. But, Jimmy had never been on a plane.  With 5 kids, flying was not our first choice for travel…too expensive and complicated.  Jimmy was 8 when the tragedy of 911 occurred.  After 911, flying with someone with autism just wasn’t something we would ever consider given all the difficulties of even getting on a plane.  When Jimmy was diagnosed with autism the incidence was 1 in 10,000 births.  In 2001, most people still believed that autism was rare. It wasn’t until 2003 that the U of Minnesota incidence study was published showing autism was present in 1 in 250 kids in Minnesota…..more reason not to fly as the public was not well educated on what autism was/is and how to best help families. So, at age 19, Jimmy had never been on an airplane until this week. 

Jimmy with AirTran pilot
 learning about the plane

Sometime last spring, I decided that we should try a short flight to someplace motivating for Jimmy.  Having recently been to the Art Institute of Chicago, I knew that they had a wonderful collection of impressionist and contemporary art….just the place for a motivating trip.  The flight would be short and my sister lives in Chicago….so, if we had problems, I had a back up plan.

Josh and Jimmy at the
Art Institute of Chicago

Jimmy has come such a long way with his health and accomplishments in art that flying for him would benefit him greatly….helping him grow as an artist and human being.  Autism is so isolating for both the person who has autism and their family.   With great hope for success, I started to plan for the trip….preparing Jimmy, me and Josh for all the what if’s for a first flight and walking the streets of a very busy city….both new experiences for Jimmy.

Josh and Jimmy in Chicago

We decided to fly on Southwest Airlines….their reputation and our personal experience for having friendly staff was important.  Flying out of Terminal 2 in Minneapolis (smaller airport) to Midway (smaller airport) in Chicago gave us a good chance for success.  Family friend, Angie MacDonald, works at Southwest.  I called her to ask if we could come to “practice” at the airport before our actual flight.  I had no idea what a fabulous experience would be in our future.

Jimmy in the cockpit of an AirTran plane
at Terminal 2 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Angie connected us with Metropolitan Airports Commissions staffer, Shelly Lopez.  Shelly called me to set up a tour/practice at Terminal 2 last Tuesday morning. On the phone, Shelly asked remarkably well informed questions: does Jimmy use an iPad to speak, how is he with touch, does noise bother him, etc…. I was impressed! Shelly met us in the parking lot. Took us to pick up a pass for security and brought us through security.  Much to our excitement, she took us to a gate where we met Mike Gregory.  Mike arranged for us to meet flight crew from Air Tran.  The flight crew brought us on board…Jimmy got to sit in the cockpit…what a treat.

Now you might think, how did we get such special treatment? Well, the good news is that it wasn’t special treatment. The Metropolitan Airports commission is working with Fraser and other community partners to help people with disabilities fly.  The program will be launched in January…Yippy!!!!!

As you might imagine, I was likely as anxious as Jimmy was about flying. I mentioned this to my sister last week.  She told me about a friend who was traveling with twins who had colic.  The family made small “treat” bags to give traveler who sat near them letting fellow travelers know that they were doing the best that they could under the circumstance and that they greatly appreciated their patience.  I thought this was a wonderful idea. So, I packaged up Jimmy’s note cards to take with us to Chicago.  We handed them out to people who helped us along the way. 

Rosie - 16"x20" Acrylic on Canvas 2012

I have always known that simple acts of kindness make a big difference.  It was never more evident to me than it was this week.  When people first meet Jimmy, they see his challenge to speak and often recognize his disability as autism.  This was the case with many we encountered in our travel to Chicago on Thursday and at our practice on Tuesday.  When we gave Jimmy’s note cards to those who helped us, the response was so rewarding and surprising. The shock at the quality of Jimmy’s artwork given his challenge was evident. The fact that someone said thank you to people who likely don’t hear it very often was remarkable. I feel like we changed  perspectives on Tuesday and Thursday.  Jimmy’s artwork has become a non-verbal means of changing the way people think about him and others in the spectrum…..the people we connected with on Tuesday and Thursday will see people with autism differently.  That wasn’t my plan…..just a great byproduct of a successful trip.  I am just so grateful that so many people were willing and happy to help us open up the world for Jimmy and our family.

Thanks to:

Angie MacDonald – Southwest Airlines

Shelly Lopez – Metropolitan Airports Commission

Mike Gregory – Southwest Airline

Flight to Chicago:

Captain:  Rob Nohrn

1st Officer: Brian Crockett

Flight Attendants:  Emily Scherzberg

Kristy Ramirez

Tina Henry

Flight Home:

Captain:  Kevin Sinibaldi

1st Oficer:  Kimberly Lane

Flight Attendants:

John Theuerkauf

Charles Kallick

Linda McQuaid

William Gordon Winery and Jimmy Reagan 

Wine Labels 

www.williamgordonwinery.com

Wine will be available in retail stores in Minnesota and online at William Gordon Winery in November or December, 2012

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine will be donated to the

Through Jimmy's Eyes Autism Research Fund to promote partnerships for solutions for those living with autism

             

Wheeler "Cafe at Night" by Jimmy Reagan

Here is a link to a new video of Jimmy creating his painting titled Wheeler "Cafe at Night."  The Wheeler family made a donation to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital WineFest No. 17 for this painting.  We are proud to support WineFest and Amplatz Children's Hospital.  http://youtu.be/iYaVrVmnONs

So many questions, so few opportunities, so few resources: How will our communities find productive solutions for the growing population of young adults with autism?

Jimmy and company at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
with his painting Girl with Cork II

My daughter, Kelly, is entering her last year of college and our conversations have turned to the issues that many college seniors face: What am I going to do when I graduate and where am I going to live? How much money will I earn? Will my work be rewarding? Kelly is an outstanding student, college athlete and has a charismatic personality.  Truly, the world is her oyster. I have no doubt that she will find her way with great success discovering her own answers to these questions.  These questions and answers to them are significantly different for Jimmy and the growing numbers of young adults with autism.

In April of Jimmy’s last year of pre-school, I was concerned about the resources available for him in Kindergarten.  My belief was that there were many kids in the spectrum that would place demands on the system.  So, I made an appointment with our Public School District Director of Special programs. I shared with him my concerns. I asked him what his plan was to support these kids.  He responded, “the demographics just don’t indicate that we will have many kids entering the kindergarten class in the fall with autism.”  I thought that couldn’t be right.  I see these kids on the playground and in my community.  I realized that there was a huge lag in what was being reported.   I suggested that he take a closer look.  Brian and I offered to help secure outside financial help if it was needed.  In July just short of two month before Jimmy entered kindergarten, I received a call from the Director of Special Programs.  He said, “You were right.  We increased from 2 to 12 kids with autism and we have no funding to support these kids in the fall.” I was not surprised.  Brian and I got to work.  Bremer Foundation stepped up to the plate with start-up funding for a new autism classroom.  

Girl From Egypt Painting - 24"x30" Acrylic on Canvas 2012

This experience made it clear to me that planning for the future for Jimmy would take years of advanced planning because he is at the front end of the large numbers of people diagnosed with autism.  Resources won’t be there for him when he reaches milestones.  It would be our job to create them for him. When Jimmy was diagnosed, the incidence was 1 in 10,000 births and now it is 1 in 84 boys.  It seems to me that the kindergarten experience is repeating itself now as we look towards Jimmy’s future as an adult.

Girl in the Forrest - 24"x30" Acrylic on Canvas 2012

Like me, other families are seeing the writing on the wall.  Governmental services are miles behind in what they offer.  We can’t settle for less nor should families have to settle. The time is now to bring to light what families want and need for their young adults with autism.  I have met some incredible people who are helping to illustrate the need and are creating solutions. Privately funded organizations are popping up to bring creative opportunities to the table as well as to make efforts to educate our communities on what people with autism are truly capable of doing while helping communities understand where supports will be needed.  These are new employment and living models.

 Erik’s Ranch and Retreats is creating unique living and career opportunities for people with autism. Erik’s Ranch and Retreat founder/CEO, Kathryn Nordberg, is the mother of a young adult with autism.  She is using her expertise in the Assisted Living industry and translating what she has learned to people with autism.  Kathryn and her team are working hard to understand the unique skills and deficits that are present in people with autism.  In efforts to understand these realities, better solutions are being discovered and put into action.  This concept reminds me of the Johnny Mercer song – “Accentuate the Positive” – we need to be accentuating the positive skills and interests of people with autism while minimizing and reducing the negative pieces that are part of autism and the way people with autism function.

Good Bye Ron - 24"x30" Acrylic on Canvas 2012

Tim Hansen from Specialisterne is also a parent of a son with autism.  His son Joe has learned to and loves to roast coffee.  He has his own brand of coffee called, Cup o’Joe.  This is rewarding work for Joe and they have created a business model to help Joe become financially independent.  By the way, it great coffee! Tim’s work at  Specialisterne focuses on employing people with autism who have unique skills in technology. Companies like, Microsoft, are partnering with Specialisterne to fill critical technology testing positions. Specialisterne will provide the necessary supports and educate companies on what kinds of accommodations employees with autism might require.  This is good for Microsoft and good for folks with autism.

Minnesota Autism Society CEO Sherrie Kenny and her team are partnering with large Minnesota employers; 3M, Cargill, Target, Best Buy, Medtronic, Wells Fargo and Wallgreens to host an Autism and Employment Forum on October 9^th, 2012.  Sherrie is also the mother of a young adult with autism.   Clearly, job creation is on Sherrie’s mind.   We need to develop employment opportunities that will allow people with autism to earn a decent living with hopes of becoming financially independent.

The story is personal for Minnesota writer and film director, Shelli Ainsworth.  The independent film, Stay Then Go, will begin filming next week in Minnesota. It is the fictional story of a mother and her autistic son. Shelli is mother of artist Dietrich Sieling who has autism.  This film highlights the many challenges families face and tugs at the emotion of moving through life managing autism.  I believe that the production of this film is particularly timely, as it will help illustrate realities and hopefully generate discussion and action for solutions.  Jimmy and Dietrich’s artwork is on the Stay Then Go website.  The cast includes Janel Moloney of West Wing and 30 Rock fame as the mother and Matthew Kane as her son whose feature film The Dinosaur Project will be released this summer.  If you live in the metro Twins Cities, keep your eyes open for filming in August and September.

I have offered examples of Minnesota families who see hope and opportunity in autism.  So, how do we respond to the statement: So many questions, so few opportunities, so few resources: How will our communities find productive solutions for the growing population of young adults with autism?

Brian (Dad) and Jimmy with his painting Girl with Cork II at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

 I suggest that we keep conversations going and have high expectations.  Partner with people who are innovative problem solvers.  People with autism deserve a high quality life and are capable of contributing to their communities in many ways that are very important.  Like the families noted here, we can all play a role in making change.  Put your entrepreneurial hats on and be part of good solutions.   

Links:

www.eriksranch.org

http://cupojoe.mn/story

http://specialistpeople.com/specialisterne-news/specialisterne-now-in-the-usa/

http://www.ausm.org/

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e65tqwqwaaaed754&llr=kjzvvzcab

www.staythengo.com

http://www.dietrichsieling.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janel_Moloney

http://www.mattkaneactor.com/

www.throughjimmyseyes.com