Wesley Mission Building Dreams Project for people with disability

Unlimited ability and the potential in each person, I believe. I've worked with Wesley Mission again to carry out Building Dreams project. It has three purposes : respite for carers burnt out, inclusion of people with disability, public awareness of issues related to carers and clients.The first year attempt resulted in a great success. So, it comes back! A great honour, I'm appointed to be their mentor!! This program will go on for the future. Yey! Thank you for big cheers last year.  

Prof Stephen Hawking

We had the final day of the watercolour workshop last week. It was wonderful. Clients really enjoyed watercolour and took initiatives. They gave me a huge "thank you card" with a big chocolate box. Oh, sweet! Really sweet. I asked them, "Let's share it?" But they would not. 

Then, each of clients stood up and told me thanks with their own words. One client with the impairment in eye sights, firstly stood up. It was very unexpected for me. "Sadami is different. She dedicated. We learned different techniques, salt, crayons, blowing etc, for watercolour.... Thank you very much." I shed tears, tears of joy. She had been very quiet, but today, she often burst into a big laugh and enjoyed drawing! Each of the clients told me wonderful says. 

In the card, I found, 

"Dear Sadami 
THANK YOU! 
For all your efforts teaching us and sharing your artistic gifts 
and sunny smile!" 
I sobbed again.... 

I assisted a client who could hardly move on a wheel chair. I had given him my watercolour painting of his dream, "riding a horse" before. Today, that work impressed the carers and they asked "Could we keep it at his home?" Yes, my pleasure! I sketched that client. He was very shy and could hardly smile. But in my eyes, his smiling was so beautiful and shining. 

The clients and carers really look forward to coming to my solo exhibition "Over the moon with watercolour!". Chrissie Cotter Gallery has a wheel chair access. I want all of them to come and have fun together in workshops there. A carer and I said, "How nice they are! We feel as if they were our own children," we nodded together with a big smile. 

This year's clients were more difficult for me, a tutor, than the clients of a last year because of the degree of disabilities. But once, they opened their hearts and when we became friends, so lovely. I, today, never feel they have disabilities. Who said that? Now, they can make beautiful watercolour paintings. I want the clients to enjoy watercolour painting and my solo exhibition!! Soon, Wesley will have their own exhibition and an auction. I can't wait! 

I believe nothing can ristrict the potential and ability, although I'm very practical. Sometimes we feel life is tough and sad. But it's up to us how we see reality. A real fact does not have sadness or happiness. It depends on our view and a value system. My clients are my genuine heros. Think of Prof Stephen Hawking. His life story has encouraged me, too. I'm certain my difficulty is easy piecy like a mosquite's-bite-scale trouble. My lovely GP once said, "Don't be a complainer." No. (*I often make the GP laugh with my cartoons and bring always new project news that excites the GP!) I hope my art work will bring others hope, love and dream.

Thank you, Wesley, for giving me an opportunity to share time with our wonderful clients. Wesley already wants me to work on another bigger project in a disability sector a next year. 
A children picture book illustrator and fine artist, in my personal opinion, is the best job in the world! 
Friends, Happy Painting!! 

Wesley Mission Building Dreams Project for people with disability