Help quadriplegic artist get iPad
Donation protected
Cause
I am raising funds to help a quadriplegic artist and victim of gun violence develop his creative practice. Money raised will go toward purchasing an iPad Pro, accessories to mount the device to his wheelchair, as well as other accessibility technology and support.
Background
I first met LeVar "Var" Lawrence at the spoken-word event featured in the video above. Var lives at Coler Hospital, a long-term care facility on Roosevelt Island in New York City. He is a member of OPEN DOORS, an arts and mentoring program that works with victims of gun violence. Var is a published poet and a visual artist who creates his work on his phone, using a stylus in his mouth.
Story
Var grew up in a housing project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. His six children still live there and he visits them as often as he can. Drugs, guns, jail—and art—are all part of Var’s personal narrative. He drew comics as a kid, moved onto portraiture and spray painting on building walls. He attended an arts high school, then classes at Pratt Institute. But Var’s fast life on the streets took over.
“I never liked the drug dealing but it helped me keep up with my payments and support my family,” he says.
Var was shot in 2005, paralyzing him from the neck down. “My first three years, I really wanted to kill myself. I was 28 years old and I never thought this would happen to me.”
Var’s creative spark reignited when he joined OPEN DOORS. His first poems, which he says “were just thoughts” surprised everyone, especially him. As one of the OPEN DOORS Reality Poets, Var performs around the city, most often for kids facing similar obstacles as Var did growing up. Writing has led him on a journey back to the visual arts. And he now shows his digital art at galleries, in the local newspaper on Roosevelt Island and he is taking commissions.
“I have my days when I feel like shit,” he says. “I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to ram my chair into the wall. I am human. I have feelings. But I just know how to control it.”
Yet Var says he feels lucky. Even without the use of his hands, he has found his way to that deep, mysterious place within, where artists mine their creativity, and where the possibilities are endless. “Making art takes my mind off things,” he says. “When I see people interested in my work, it really makes me feel good.”
Goal
Below are examples of Var's artwork, more can be seen here .
Var’s creative options will grow exponentially with an iPad Pro. Additional tools are necessary to make the tablet work for him. Var will also need support to set up and learn how to use the technology.
Var and his family can’t afford this. That’s where your support comes in!
The funds raised will go toward purchasing the following:
iPad Pro - $1250
Mouth and Head stylus - $375
Apple Pencil - $125
Wheelchair mount and iPad case - $525
Tecla-e device - $500
Ability switches - $500
Technical support and instruction - $1750
Total: $5025
Finally
I was so inspired meeting Var and his friends and hearing their poetry—I hope you are inspired too and will consider giving. Our deadline is December 15, 2018. If we happen to raise more than our goal for Var, the additional funds will go towards purchasing similar technology and support for other OPEN DOORS members.
As a campaign follow-up, I will post Var’s iPad art here as well as send digital thank yous to all donors with Var’s new work.
Most importantly, please share Var's story. Share this campaign on social media, and with anyone you think would be inspired to donate or to just know about Var.
Only if he had raised his arm about an inch or two
I wouldn’t have to be telling my story to you
I can’t even teach my son how to play ball
Or pick up and run if he needs me at the drop of a call
Is this a punishment for all the wrong that I did?
Now I’ve been sentenced to this wheelchair doing a life-sentence bid
— LeVar Lawrence
I am raising funds to help a quadriplegic artist and victim of gun violence develop his creative practice. Money raised will go toward purchasing an iPad Pro, accessories to mount the device to his wheelchair, as well as other accessibility technology and support.
Background
I first met LeVar "Var" Lawrence at the spoken-word event featured in the video above. Var lives at Coler Hospital, a long-term care facility on Roosevelt Island in New York City. He is a member of OPEN DOORS, an arts and mentoring program that works with victims of gun violence. Var is a published poet and a visual artist who creates his work on his phone, using a stylus in his mouth.
Story
Var grew up in a housing project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. His six children still live there and he visits them as often as he can. Drugs, guns, jail—and art—are all part of Var’s personal narrative. He drew comics as a kid, moved onto portraiture and spray painting on building walls. He attended an arts high school, then classes at Pratt Institute. But Var’s fast life on the streets took over.
“I never liked the drug dealing but it helped me keep up with my payments and support my family,” he says.
Var was shot in 2005, paralyzing him from the neck down. “My first three years, I really wanted to kill myself. I was 28 years old and I never thought this would happen to me.”
Var’s creative spark reignited when he joined OPEN DOORS. His first poems, which he says “were just thoughts” surprised everyone, especially him. As one of the OPEN DOORS Reality Poets, Var performs around the city, most often for kids facing similar obstacles as Var did growing up. Writing has led him on a journey back to the visual arts. And he now shows his digital art at galleries, in the local newspaper on Roosevelt Island and he is taking commissions.
“I have my days when I feel like shit,” he says. “I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to ram my chair into the wall. I am human. I have feelings. But I just know how to control it.”
Yet Var says he feels lucky. Even without the use of his hands, he has found his way to that deep, mysterious place within, where artists mine their creativity, and where the possibilities are endless. “Making art takes my mind off things,” he says. “When I see people interested in my work, it really makes me feel good.”
Goal
Below are examples of Var's artwork, more can be seen here .
Var’s creative options will grow exponentially with an iPad Pro. Additional tools are necessary to make the tablet work for him. Var will also need support to set up and learn how to use the technology.
Var and his family can’t afford this. That’s where your support comes in!
The funds raised will go toward purchasing the following:
iPad Pro - $1250
Mouth and Head stylus - $375
Apple Pencil - $125
Wheelchair mount and iPad case - $525
Tecla-e device - $500
Ability switches - $500
Technical support and instruction - $1750
Total: $5025
Finally
I was so inspired meeting Var and his friends and hearing their poetry—I hope you are inspired too and will consider giving. Our deadline is December 15, 2018. If we happen to raise more than our goal for Var, the additional funds will go towards purchasing similar technology and support for other OPEN DOORS members.
As a campaign follow-up, I will post Var’s iPad art here as well as send digital thank yous to all donors with Var’s new work.
Most importantly, please share Var's story. Share this campaign on social media, and with anyone you think would be inspired to donate or to just know about Var.
Only if he had raised his arm about an inch or two
I wouldn’t have to be telling my story to you
I can’t even teach my son how to play ball
Or pick up and run if he needs me at the drop of a call
Is this a punishment for all the wrong that I did?
Now I’ve been sentenced to this wheelchair doing a life-sentence bid
— LeVar Lawrence
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Blankstein
Organizer
New York, NY
Jennilie Brewster
Beneficiary