FIREFLY TEE

Jessie Winnie’s story as an artist is special for many reasons. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a type of Cerebral Palsy that impaired her motor skills. Jessie’s muscles were “loose” and she was unable to hold anything. She says, “My arms would flop around, plus I had tremors where my hand would shake. It was hard to keep my hand steady so when I started to learn how to draw, I would stab holes in the paper but it was the only way I could control the pencil. I would sit outside on the porch with my dad and we would draw together. He was my teacher. I learned how to control the pencil and strengthened my muscles. Now I am stronger but when my arm is really red, my hand will still shake.” Jessie started doing art at the age of 8. She was born in Sedalia, Missouri. When asked what the creative process means to her, she replied, “Expressing my feelings, creating things. I like when people say, “I like it” and “good job” because when I was a kid, I had a hard time speaking and it was hard to understand people.”

Jessie is an artist at Art Inspired Academy. AIA offers the opportunity for individuals with and without disabilities to participate in creative arts classes such as theatre, movement, music enrichment and art. They provide inclusive classes in a community setting that collaborates with existing programs and provides support for individuals with disabilities. At Art Inspired Academy, they provide support based on an individual’s abilities. Participants express themselves through artistic experiences while working on goals to improve communication, motor skills, social skills, self-control and confidence.

* Youth sizes are military green, adult sizes are heather military green