Vico Cham: Proudly Autistic Artist

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Mon, 12/13/2010 - 10:23
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Vico Cham

Vico Cham at his solo art exhibit at SM Marikina Mall.  Photo from Shine Special Education Center.

 

Vico Cham signs his work "proudly autistic." He is a nineteen year old artist from the Philippines who has already had his own solo art show and talks about his work in a recent interview:

“I like drawing a lot. I enjoy my drawing. I like to draw the garden, the butterfly,” Vico says, oftentimes just answering with a simple “yes” or “no’’. But his mom and teacher guide him to answer the questions properly.

Vico also likes to draw celebrities. He usually copies from a photograph of the person. He has already drawn celebrities he really admires like Iya Villania, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Myx VJ Robi Domingo, and American Idol runner-up David Archuleta. He has also drawn people close to his heart like his mom, his teachers, and other relatives, and of course, his self-portrait.

“I like Enchong Dee, the Gigger Boys, A-Pop, Diva Girls. I like watching television, ‘Shoutout’. I have a lot of drawings,” says Vico who also likes to sing and dance. ‘’I like Owl City’s ‘Fireflies’ and I like Justin Bieber and David Archuleta. I like to sing ‘How Great is Our God’.” 

To read more of the interview, click here.

To watch Vico do an on-the-spot drawing, click here.

 

Inquest Called For in Death of Roland Campbell

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Mon, 12/13/2010 - 04:21
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Roland Campbell, a 21-year-old man with autism, died April 18 while under restraint from police and caregivers.  Despite the fact that the medical examiner who performed Campbell's autopsy suggested that an inquest be held to determine the cause of death, Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn has refused to order one:

Ginn said any such investigation should come from the courts if a civil lawsuit is filed. There is no guarantee, he said, an inquest would reveal anything.

"It could become inconclusive, which could put us back to square one," he said. "I don't see using the county's funds for that."

In today's Lexington Herald Leader, Marie Allison of the Arc of Kentucky writes for those who are asking Ginn to reverse his decision:

When a 21-one-year old man who has autism dies under circumstances that are not fully explained, his family and the community deserve to learn the events leading up to his death through a coroner's inquest.

The Autism Society of the Bluegrass, The Arc of Kentucky, KY-TASH, Kentucky Protection and Advocacy and members of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities advisory board respectfully request that Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn order an inquest into the death of Roland Campbell, who died while under police and caregiver restraint on April 18.

Roland Campbell

Roland Campbell (Media Dis&dat)

Click here to read more.

Colin's Christmas Song 2010

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Sun, 12/12/2010 - 09:07
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A beautiful performance by a young boy with autism.

Sensitive Santa Makes His Rounds

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Sun, 12/12/2010 - 07:02
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Santa visits with Noah and Christopher Yankey. Photo by Matt Barnard for Tulsa World.

 

As autism awareness increases, many more locations are hosting Sensitive Santa this year. One of those was the Westshore Plaza in Tampa, Florida:

Parents waiting with their autistic children for a different type of visit with Santa...what organizers call a "Sensitive Santa" visit.

"One of the most memorable moments of the holiday season is having a visit with Santa," said marketing director Kristy Genna.  "We have created a sensory friendly environment.  No music on.  The mall is closed to regular shoppers."

Click here to see and read about more of the places Santa has visited so far.

50 Tyson Makes New York Debut

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Sat, 12/11/2010 - 17:53
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I ain't gonna lie! Autistic rapper 50 Tyson recently made his New York City debut.  This video features both interviews and performance footage. 

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