Ah-Chang is 49-year-old, a person with severe cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities, has been the service user of Yilan Education and Nursing Institute, Eden Foundation for nearly 10 years. As a passionate photographer, he takes his camera every day to capture the beauty of the institute and record every happy moment for the activity. He has accumulated more than five years of photography experience and has taken tens of thousands of photographs. He has organized solo exhibitions and this year, he has realized his dream by winning the 21st International Art Fair of People with Disability in Taiwan, unlocking the achievements of his life. On 12th, Sep. He was invited to participate in the opening ceremony, and went on the stage to receive the awards and take photos together with his mother.
Ah-Chang, the service user of the Yilan Education and Nursing Institute, is a passionate photographer, and this year she unlocked her life's goal by having her artwork shortlisted for the exhibition, and her mother was happy to attend the ceremony.
Due to his physical condition, Ah-Chang could only curl up and lie halfway on a wheelchair at a 45-degree angle, watching TV and doing exercises with everyone else, day after day. After being introduced to photography by chance, Ah-Chang realized that he could capture the beautiful things in front of him through the camera, turning the moment into eternity, and fell in love with taking photos. To support his hobby, his mom bought a camera so he could take it with him anywhere and anytime. His love for photography has never faded with time, and to this day, he can still be seen from time to time in various corners of the institute, taking photos and framing scenes with seriousness and dedication; and because of his unique perspective, he has been able to reveal the hidden beauty of the institute.
Mom accompanied Ah-Chang to the stage to receive the award and took a group photo with the social worker to commemorate this proud moment.
Even though his artwork was recognized and used in the design of the institute's promotional graphics and a solo exhibition was held for him, Ah-Chang always wished to have his artworks seen by more people. At the beginning of this year, the social worker came across the 21st International Art Fair of People with Disability in Taiwan, which started to invite submissions in April, so she asked a volunteer from Eden's Heart Journey, who knew how to take photographs, to strengthen Ah-Chang skills in taking photos, and then sent out his artwork to the organizer. After a long wait of two months, the organizer informed Ah-Chang that his artwork had been selected and would be exhibited at the CKS Memorial Hall from 12th to 23rd, Sep. The social worker also applied for the Dream-Catching Bus of Eden, so that Ah-Chang could stay in a good condition and mood, and travel north to participate in the exhibition smoothly.
In order to help Ah-Chang stay in good condition and mood for the exhibition, we applied for the Dream-Catching Bus of Eden to reduce the fatigue and discomfort of traveling.
When Ah-Chang's mother heard the good news, she did not quite believe it, but when she saw her son's artwork being displayed and appreciated at the exhibition site today, her mother's eyes reddened and she happily expressed that she was touched by Ah-Chang's hard work, and thanked the staff who had given her child support and help along the way. She said that after his birth, she had never felt at ease and was always worried about what she would do if there was no one to take care of him one day. However, after Ah-Chang came to the institute, he has been working hard to prove himself, so she knows that Ah-Chang not only has no problem living on his own, but also can realize his potential and dream.
Eden's “Service Programs for Persons with Disabilities” provides persons with disabilities the professional and adequate support and services in the areas of life, culture, employment, assistive devices and housing, cultivating their ability to take care of themselves and developing their potential in art and creativity. At the same time, it also helps persons with disabilities to prevent poverty through caring companionship and resource linkage so that they will no longer be deprived of daily choices, and will be able to regain the right of self-determination, and will be able to return to the mainstream society eventually, and live a good life. We invite you to join us in the donation to support our service programs. For more information, please search for “Eden Services for Persons with Disabilities” or call our support hotline at 0800-025885.
Ah-Changposes for a group photo with other art creators with disabilities.
