New CD Motivates Kids with Disabilities to Pursue Their Passion
For many years art was the only window to the world for 17-year-old Aaron Wristen.
Aaron is emotionally disturbed and learning disabled. He barely spoke until age 11.
But the boy who used to come home from school everyday crying has evolved into a talented and sought-after artist. One series of his  |
| Aaron Wristen, a student with disabilities, created the “Women of the World” Millenium Calendar. | |
paintings, celebrating the beauty of different world cultures, is featured in a calendar he talks about with great pride.
“People when they saw this, they were so struck by it, and I was, too. I didn’t really realize I had it in me. I feel so good about myself,” Aaron explains on a new audio CD that aims to motivate young people with disabilities to find their passion in life and pursue it.
The new audio CD that aims to motivate young people with disabilities to find their passion in life and pursue it, and Aaron’s is one of eight success stories on it.
The AED National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities Center, which produced the CD, provides information on programs, effective practices, and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities to the transition to adult life.
“We want to help kids with disabilities and the adults in their lives to hear how other children with disabilities achieve success every day,” said Suzanne Ripley, vice president and director of NICHCY. “And by success, I mean the strong self-esteem and self confidence that comes from pursuing your passions in life,” she added.
Unlike previous efforts targeted at high school-age students, this CD also focuses on the experiences of several younger children like Matt, a nine-year-old pianist with autism who tours nationally with his jazz trio and has appeared on the “Today” show.
Titled “Relish is For More Than Hot Dogs: A Guide to Making Your Own Sweet Success,” the CD will be made available to parent training and information centers, community parent resource centers, special education teachers and other organizations and individuals. It comes with two guides, one for students and one for adults working with them, and costs $5.
For more information, contact the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities at nichcy@aed.org.
