"There are a lot of children who we call 'special needs,' and I believe if we turn that around and begin to call that 'special abilities,' we can change the way we view people," said Carol Roach. "I feel like we're missing so many opportunities to tap into a special ability rather than a special need."
Carol knows what she's talking about. Her son, Joseph, has autism. He also has a talent for art, and that talent will be on display throughout the month of April at Mulberry Art Studios, 21 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster. His show, "Abstract Spectrum," will kick off with a reception on Friday, April 2, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Joe, a student in the Manheim Central School District, will be selling his artwork at the studio to raise funds for Aaron's Acres, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round recreational programs to children and young adults with disabilities in central Pennsylvania.
Joe's art is focused on intricate, detailed pen drawings and paintings. Now 17, he began creating art in middle school.
"Joe is on the spectrum and he has ADHD, and he didn't show much interest really in anything," Carol recalled. Then his middle school art teacher, Julie Hibshman, encouraged him to express himself on paper.
Soon Joe was bringing home his art, and his parents were impressed.
"I called different art studios, and I connected with Mulberry Art Studios," Carol remarked. "I asked, 'Could I set a time to come in and let you look at his work and tell me if we're just being doting parents or if you see something?' April (Koppenhaver), who owns the studio, told me, 'This is really beautiful. This is eye popping.'"
Joe's dad, Jack, frames Joe's art, and both parents have helped Joe get his art to more people. He has branded his work as JJ Roach Art and has booked another show in Harrisburg.
Although Joe has never participated with Aaron's Acres, Carol thought of the organization as a beneficiary of Joe's show because it's local and because she wanted to give back.
Risa C. Paskoff, executive director of Aaron's Acres, said the fundraiser will help support the nonprofit, which accepts all participants regardless of their financial ability.
"We provide ... scholarships to families who face financial challenges," Paskoff stated. "For the summer of 2019, we provided over $40,000 in scholarships. Our philosophy is that every child can participate in all of our activities - horseback riding, swimming, group games, sports and crafts."
When it comes to his artwork, Joe has found something that helps quiet his soul, Carol said.
"Joe was very hyper, and now he sits down, and he looks at a piece of paper, and that hyperactivity spills out on the paper into these beautiful designs," she noted. "How many more beautiful minds are out there that aren't being encouraged?"
She hopes Joe's story will inspire other parents of people with special abilities to look for what makes their child unique.
"It's really about taking a holistic approach to a child with special needs," she said. "It's finding that one thing that ignites that spark in them, and when that happens, it's spectacular."
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