I Am Lucas:

Who is Lucas? I’ve never met him but his story inspires me just the same. Lucas is Autistic but this is a small part of the inspiration that moved me to draw his portrait. Love should always be the inspiration behind anything we do. 

Lucas is Love, Lucas is Understanding, Lucas is Caring, Lucas is Acceptance and Lucas is Special.  

Special, not because of the label of being Autistic, because he is a child made in the

 Image and likeness of God.

 

L: Painting a portrait of Autism through the use of symbol and metaphor is a noble pursuit but it doesn’t tell the whole story.  Love is the key piece in unlocking the puzzle of Autism. Love helps us better understand Lucas’ story.  Autism doesn’t define who he is, love does.

U: Like in this portrait, when I begin a puzzle I begin with the frame. The portrait is designed to show us that Autism is like a puzzle and these puzzles always have a face. The puzzle is only complete when we better understand its causes and see past its effects. To those who have been diagnosed as Autistic, symbols, inferences and metaphors are very confusing concepts. Understanding is the next key.

C: I believe the main obstacle in coping with those who have been diagnosed is the label itself, Autistic. Autistic doesn’t define an individual and it tends to limit expectations for any worthy development. Building a puzzle that has thousands of little pieces is done one piece at a time. Caring is an essential piece of this puzzle.

A: It may seem at times that the Autistic child lives inside a prison of the mind but it’s the ones that we label as normal that have constructed these prison walls. By not being properly informed and trained in administering to the needs in a proper manner. These children just desire better understanding and better caring communication. Their world is just as beautiful as any individual could ever experience. Acceptance helps us better distinguish that.

S: Art can be a very powerful healing agent. Not only for the Autistic, whose visual sense is usually their strongest gift, but for the healing of all God’s children. We are created in the image of God as co-creator’s in life. God has given each of us all of the building blocks we need to make our lives complete. Lucas and every child like him are gifts. No different or set apart from anybody or anything. Special like all of God’s children. 

 What most inspired me about Lucas is understanding that just like all of us, he is one small piece of life’s puzzle and will evolve beyond the puzzle and limitations that he faces as a human being. Lucas is now forever a part of who I am and I am Lucas. That is the being or spirit part of the human.  This is what connects all of us.

The angel’s bend an ear to listen as Lucas prays because his prayers are the very reflection of his life story. They are our reflection as well.  

Life is challenging………..yes, rewarding………………………….always.

James Robert Kessler

Because of Him Art Ministry 2012