Newspaper Page Text
THE ISLANDER, MAY 3, 2010, PAGE 7
Autism and art
Continued from Page 1
therapy the better their chances to
develop communications are.” Justin
responded to speech and occupational
therapy very well and by the time he
was five years old, he entered kinder
garten in the Glynn County school
system and was included in a regular
classroom. He was the first autistic
child in Glynn to be included in a regu
lar class, Della said.
Justin, however, needed special
classes and again good things hap
pened. A woman named Sheila Wagner,
along with guidance from the Emory
Autism Research Program, developed
a school program for Glynn County’s
autistic children so that they could be
included in regular classrooms.
While Justin continued to need the
special classes offered by the school
system, most of his school years were
spent in regular classes.
"He maintained an A or B average,"
Della said. "And he graduated with
honors, on time and with a regular
high school diploma in 2008," his mom
said. She credits his success in school
and graduation to all the support he
had during his school years.
"Justin has always worked with a
pencil and sketch pad," Della said. "But
when he was finished, he would just
throw the drawings away."
During his senior year at Brunswick
High School, Justin took a semester of
art from Joan Nichols. An incredible
blossoming took place as seen in his
current art work. Justin began paint
ing with acrylics and continues to work
with Ms. Nichols once a week.
"She has become his mentor and
keeps him focused on his painting,"
Della said.
As part of her plan for Justin's
future, Della and her husband Mike
opened Nattie Em's Old Town Cafe
in downtown Brunswick in August
2009. Mike, Della, Justin, and Mike's
son Joseph all work at the restaurant
which has become an outlet for Justin's
beautiful art work.
While some of the originals are on
display at Nattie Em's, they are not for
sale, Della said. John Toth, owner of
The Dark Room on St. Simons Island,
has photographed the paintings and
printed some on canvas and some on
watercolor paper. The prints are avail
able in several different sizes.
"We have been blessed by the kind
ness of many strangers that became
dear friends," Della said. One such
friend is Priscilla Easton, Miss P, who
was Justin's parapro during his years
at BHS.
Miss P remains a close friend and
walked with Justin in the Autism walk
held the weekend of April 24.
Another Justin supporter is Dr.
James Greene who, according to Della,
has the largest collection of Justin's
artwork outside the family.
"Justin is the biggest challenge and
blessing of my life," Della said. "It has
not been easy. Although he is extreme
ly bright, he struggles with social
skills, maturity and safety issues. He
will never drive a car or cross a street
alone."
"But," she continued, "his is a suc
cess story and I thank God every day
for the miracle of his talent, kind spirit,
Skateboard park
Continued from Page 1
mittee that the North Glynn Park
(NGP) skateboard park would be larg
er than the skateboard pad in Demere
Park on St. Simons Island.
When the county first agreed to
build the skateboard parks, Davis held
a series of public meetings to find out
what kind of facility local skateboard
ers wanted.
The general consensus was to build
a smaller facility on St. Simons, due
in part to land size restrictions, and to
build a larger skateboard park at the
NPG where more room was available.
The idea was that the island facility
would be for beginner skateboarders
and younger kids. It would also be
accessible for kids to get to on foot or
bicycle.
A group of older skateboarders
wanted a larger facility similar to
commercial skateboard parks such as
Kona Skate Park in Jacksonville.
Davis told the group that the county
and progress."
"I pray for and expect even greater
things for him. For every family that
experiences great progress and improve
ment, there are many families that are
not as fortunate," she said. "For those
we pray for strength, endurance and
the kindness, acceptance and assis
tance of others."
Justin's artwork will be on display
during First Friday, May 7, inside Nat
tie Em's and in the park next door,
weather permitting.
For information about Justin's prints,
call Della at 912-275-7330. □
had a specific amount of money it could
spend on the park and if they wanted
something larger they would have to
raise the balance of the money.
In the beginning, the group orga
nized and tried to become a 501(c)3
non-profit in order to raise money for
the project.
Davis and his staff moved ahead
with the St. Simons skateboard pad
and put the NGP skateboard facil
ity on hold while the local skateboard
association raised money.
In the long run the run the associa
tion disbanded and left the skateboard
project up to Wes Davis and his staff.
During last week’s finance commit
tee meeting, Davis presented a let
ter from the president of the defunct
skateboard association, Michael Vin
cent, who said he was very much in
favor of the NGP skateboard park
design.
Vincent said it was a good layout
that would serve all ages of skaters
and all ability levels from beginners
to experts.
Davis said the construction con
tract was a 60-day contract. So, if the
full county commission gives the proj
ect the go ahead at their next meet
ing this week on May 6, construction
should commence by the end of the
month for a mid to late summer park
opening. □
Calendar
Thursday, May 6 - The GOP Annu
al Dinner will be held, at Sea Palms.
The keynote speaker is the Speaker of
the Georgia House of Representatives,
David Ralston. “I
16th Annual Chamber Experience
Thursday; May 13 • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort
Experience event includes:
• Silent and Live Auctions • Raffles • Heavy Hors d’oeuvres & Cash Bar
Auction items include donated items from Chamber members such as get away vacation
packages, rounds of golf, gift certificates to local restaurants, business building packages,
special items for kids, fishing and hunting trips, and great items for your home.
You will even have the chance to bid for the cover of Elegant Island Living magazine.
There will definitely be something for everyone.
There will be a raffle for two “Woody’s Stimulus Packages” valued at $599 each. Raffle
tickets are $10 each with only 300 printed and are available now or may be
purchased at the event. You do not have to be present to win.
Tickets available at the Chamber office or at any Ameris Bank, Atlantic National or
United Community Bank location for $20.00 or at the door on the evening of the event.
Event sponsors include:
AT&T • BB&T • Be Seen Outdoor • Emerald Princess II Casino • Fendig Outdoor
Georgia Power • Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin • Grandview at St. Simons
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate • McGinty Gordon & Associates • Oglethorpe Bank • Pinova
Qantum Communications • The Fan Radio Station • The Islander Newspaper
Southeast Georgia Health System • The Brunswick News • United Community Bank.
www.brunswick-georgia.com