- J
- T
- W
SHE JUST NEEDS A LITTLE HELP WITH HER RENT IN ORDER TO GO TO SCHOOL!
Dear Friends,
We are very excited about Leona being accepted into Exceptional Minds in California. They have also given her tuition assistance. This school only admits 10-12 gifted artists per year to participate in a three year, full-time, professional certification program. Exceptional Minds trains them to become visual effects artists and animators who are prepared to enter the workforce in competitive areas of their field. Here’s the thing that makes these students so special… they have autism. The only challenge is that there is no dorm. So students have to find their own place to stay (of course with help from family and friends).
Since the 2nd grade, Leona has struggled with matriculating through school, without a diagnosis! In spite of not having a diagnosis until age 22, she graduated from high school, tried to attend PG Community College, and eventually worked at Dollar Tree. Leona has diligently put forth effort to build a future for herself regardless of the circumstances. However, with just about every attempt, came extreme failure and heartbreaking disappointment, which led to shutdowns, meltdowns, anxiety attacks, depression, lack of functionality, and episodes of catatonia.
From the moment Leona visited Exceptional Minds, she began to improve. Now she is much more functional, verbal, and assertive. Those mysterious catatonic like episodes have stopped!
This school has brought long awaited light into her life. Finally, at the age of 27, she is now truly hopeful and very happy. She can see herself being a productive, self-sufficient citizen in society.
Her brother, Walter, has committed to making major changes in his life in order to help his sister. He gave up his job and apartment, in Washington DC., and gifted his car to a coworker in order to relocate and ensure that Leona is successful while attending Exceptional Minds. He also arranged and paid for everything necessary to move to California, including securing an apartment and bringing along Kinje his cat. Cats are known to be good therapy for some people who have autism. But Walter really loves his cat.
As her caregiver, he is determined to do everything within his power to get a job that will cover all living expenses. He has also stressed that Leona WILL NOT work while she is in school. Currently, I am not able to provide the financial support that I wish I could. The family has given funds to help them with this transition but it is still not enough to keep a roof over their heads while Walter pursues employment. I will be able to send funds beginning in October. Many of our friends, acquaintances, and family have praised him for being such a loving and caring brother. He is truly a hard-working, conscientious young man.
Because people with autism suffer from a neuro-biological brain disorder, they are not able to explore career options like everyone else, which puts them at an enormously crippling disadvantage. The majority of people with high functioning autism suffer alone and in silence. They are very gifted but a staggering number of them do not get recognized and are left to their own devices. I have personally seen the ugly results of this phenomenon! We are asking you to help with whatever you can as this is an extremely rare opportunity that may never come again for Leona.
Unforeseen expenses have to be paid to the moving company -$1,150. The gas, electric, and rent ($2,300 for rent) are due. They have very little savings left to survive on - $1,600 between the two of them and September 1st is rapidly approaching! Leona’s first day of school is September 9th!
So many friends and family members have expressed how much they admire Walter and Leona for their courage! Our greatest desire is to see them succeed! My children have become my heroes!
Some of Leona's Artwork...
Any support you are able to give will be tremendously appreciated!
Please visit the website, you are in for a treat!
https://www.exceptionalmindsstudio.org/
Dear Friends,
We are very excited about Leona being accepted into Exceptional Minds in California. They have also given her tuition assistance. This school only admits 10-12 gifted artists per year to participate in a three year, full-time, professional certification program. Exceptional Minds trains them to become visual effects artists and animators who are prepared to enter the workforce in competitive areas of their field. Here’s the thing that makes these students so special… they have autism. The only challenge is that there is no dorm. So students have to find their own place to stay (of course with help from family and friends).
Since the 2nd grade, Leona has struggled with matriculating through school, without a diagnosis! In spite of not having a diagnosis until age 22, she graduated from high school, tried to attend PG Community College, and eventually worked at Dollar Tree. Leona has diligently put forth effort to build a future for herself regardless of the circumstances. However, with just about every attempt, came extreme failure and heartbreaking disappointment, which led to shutdowns, meltdowns, anxiety attacks, depression, lack of functionality, and episodes of catatonia.
From the moment Leona visited Exceptional Minds, she began to improve. Now she is much more functional, verbal, and assertive. Those mysterious catatonic like episodes have stopped!
This school has brought long awaited light into her life. Finally, at the age of 27, she is now truly hopeful and very happy. She can see herself being a productive, self-sufficient citizen in society.
Her brother, Walter, has committed to making major changes in his life in order to help his sister. He gave up his job and apartment, in Washington DC., and gifted his car to a coworker in order to relocate and ensure that Leona is successful while attending Exceptional Minds. He also arranged and paid for everything necessary to move to California, including securing an apartment and bringing along Kinje his cat. Cats are known to be good therapy for some people who have autism. But Walter really loves his cat.
As her caregiver, he is determined to do everything within his power to get a job that will cover all living expenses. He has also stressed that Leona WILL NOT work while she is in school. Currently, I am not able to provide the financial support that I wish I could. The family has given funds to help them with this transition but it is still not enough to keep a roof over their heads while Walter pursues employment. I will be able to send funds beginning in October. Many of our friends, acquaintances, and family have praised him for being such a loving and caring brother. He is truly a hard-working, conscientious young man.
Because people with autism suffer from a neuro-biological brain disorder, they are not able to explore career options like everyone else, which puts them at an enormously crippling disadvantage. The majority of people with high functioning autism suffer alone and in silence. They are very gifted but a staggering number of them do not get recognized and are left to their own devices. I have personally seen the ugly results of this phenomenon! We are asking you to help with whatever you can as this is an extremely rare opportunity that may never come again for Leona.
Unforeseen expenses have to be paid to the moving company -$1,150. The gas, electric, and rent ($2,300 for rent) are due. They have very little savings left to survive on - $1,600 between the two of them and September 1st is rapidly approaching! Leona’s first day of school is September 9th!
So many friends and family members have expressed how much they admire Walter and Leona for their courage! Our greatest desire is to see them succeed! My children have become my heroes!
Some of Leona's Artwork...
Any support you are able to give will be tremendously appreciated!
Please visit the website, you are in for a treat!
https://www.exceptionalmindsstudio.org/
Organizer and beneficiary
Walter Tates III
Beneficiary