William the Great :)

The first time I saw this painting I was simply mesmerized by it. Then when I learned it was created by a FOUR YEAR OLD, I was blown away even more. William created this amazing piece of art and the Center for Autism and Dyslexia in Findlay, Ohio will receive 50% of the proceeds when you purchase his amazing piece of art on our products.   

(Rainbow Sky by William)

William was 4 1/2 years old when he created "Rainbow Sky" with the help of his art therapists at Awakening Minds Art in Findlay, OH. William has been diagnosed with Autism and also has gross motor, fine motor, and speech delays.

(Two fans of William wearing sweatshirts with his art)

 William's current interests are painting, ice skating with Gliding Stars, swimming, Angry Birds, and playing with his Legos. It was extremely hard for me to believe that a kid who has had such trouble writing his own name could create something like this. We are so proud of him. We love showing the world his amazing art on our shirts and bags !

(William smiling as his amazing painting is behind him)

The Center for Autism and Dyslexia has helped so many young children just like William and hope you will help them continue their amazing work by purchasing one of William's designs. Have a great day and share this so as many people as possible can see the talent possessed by those like William. Thank you




 

Zoey the amazing :)

We LOVE showing off our talented artists who create the incredible pieces of art we us on our products. Today we are going to introduce you to the supremely talented Zoey and let her blow your mind with the Owl she drew for a past campaign and we are bringing back for a second go round.

(The awesome Owl Zoey created)

Zoey is all about the arts, whether it is acting, singing, or drawing. She is also very active and always playing outside, dancing, riding bikes, and swimming. Zoey wants to be famous one day (we are trying to help with this) and go to Appalachian State University. Zoey would like to thank her art teachers Charlie Frye and Dabney Smith. It was Zoey's choice of where the money raised from her Owl designs went and she chose Ace & TJ's Grin Kids.Ace & TJ's Grin Kids is designed to enhance the lives of children in their listening areas who are terminally ill and chronically handicapped, ages five through twelve, by taking them to DisneyWorld with their entire family.
Each year, Ace & TJ's Grin Kids charters a 737 to take these children, with their sibling, parents, and health care workers to DisneyWorld in Florida. Because of their special needs and financial strain, this is an experience that many of these children and families would not be able to know without the help of Ace & TJ's Grin Kids.
Over the years, Ace & TJ's Grin Kids has taken over 241 Grin Kids and their families to DisneyWorld. And during the 5-day vacation, all expenses are paid, including air travel, ground transportation, Disney Park-Hopper passes, meals, hotel rooms at a Disney Resort, and Disney Dollars for souvenirs. Grin Kids is funded exclusively by listener donations. Some are large, some are small, but without the listeners, the "Radio Family" participating in various fundraising events, the Grin Kids trip would not be possible year to year.

 

(Zoey with her grandfather who is wearing her PCA shirt and hat)

Do something amazing today and pick up a shirt or bag with Zoey's Owl design on it and you can help some terminally ill and chronically handicapped children enjoy the trip of a lifetime. These amazing trips would not be possible without your contributions. So make your clothing matter and give some amazing children a smile that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much for reading and hope you will share the story of Zoey and Ace & TJ's Grin Kids with all your friends. Let's change some lives !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely Isabelle

When I saw the Centipede that Isabelle created it automatically brought a smile to my face. Then I saw a picture of the adorable Isabelle and that brought an even bigger smile to my face. When I asked her mom for a little bio on her she wrote the following and it made me so happy to know how much this little angel is loved :)

(Isabelle showing off her million dollar smile)

Isabelle has always been full of surprises.  Our first surprise came when I found out I was pregnant with twins.  At 35 weeks, our fraternal twin girls, Grace and Isabelle were born.  Isabelle is the "little sister" by 11 minutes.  Our second surprise was the fact that while Grace had dark brown hair and dark eyes like her mommy, Isabelle had blonde hair and blue eyes like her daddy.  The morning after their birth, her pediatrician came in to deliver the biggest surprise of all.  Isabelle had features that were common to children with Down syndrome, and she had a murmur in her heart beat, suggesting a heart defect, or hole in her heart.

 

(Grace and Isabelle, twins and best friends)

These surprises were a bit hard for us to take in.  They were not the cheerful well wishes that we had expected to hear, yet this little girl looked up at us with so much love and joy that made this last surprise feel not as painful.  Isabelle had open heart surgery to correct a VSD at 6 months old and hasn't been held back since!  Although she has been hospitalized numerous times, her motivation and love for life and her family always gets her through.  

(Grace and Isabelle looking fabulous)

Isabelle is currently in Kindergarten, and spends the majority of her day in the regular education classroom.  She has a wonderful team at school, and family at home that help to support her and are helping her reach her highest potential.  Isabelle has the most wonderful, contagious smile and laugh, everyone just loves her to pieces.  She loves watching Sesame Street, eating Double Stuff Oreos and doing art projects with Grace.

We are all so lucky that we were blessed with a child who has Down syndrome.  As much of a surprise as this was to our family, it has also be one of our greatest blessings!

 

(The awesome Centipede created by Isabelle)

 

Justin the magnificent :)

I want you to all meet an amazing young man named Justin. Justin has created art for two different causes now and we are in love with both of his pieces. Justin is the type of person you can't help but smile when seeing and is a true inspiration who refuses to let anything get him down. This young man is also a duel threat, he is not only a artist for Paper Clouds Apparel but will also be modeling for us on a future photo shoot :) We received this email from his mom after she told him a second piece of his art was selected to be used by us; "Justin is running around the house saying "Woo Hoo!!!"  He is so excited and said to say "Thank You!"

 (Justin at the Firefighters vs Autism event)

Justin is 31 years old with a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  This is Justin's second piece of artwork accepted for a campaign with Paper Clouds Apparel, and he is so proud and excited.   He likes to tell everyone "I am an artist!".  His increased self esteem from the positive feedback he has received about his artwork has been a real blessing and made such a difference in his feelings of self-worth!  He just beams when he gets a compliment about his drawings or when he wears his Paper Clouds Apparel shirt with his  own whale art!  Justin's interest in art and drawing as a creative outlet has helped him to express himself when he does not always have the words to do so.  

(Justin wearing our shirt with HIS art on it)

Justin also loves to help others and has a big heart.  It has meant very much to him to be a part of helping others who have Down Syndrome with his contribution of artwork .  Justin is also involved locally with the non-profit Firefighter's vs. Autism and with helping to collect art supplies for a non-profit Children's art gallery in Tucson called Eat, Sleep, Breath Art!

 

(Justin in the woods)

 

Justin works in a wood shop with the support of a job coach and loves his job.  He also loves music, weight lifting and girls!   

(Justin's most recent design for us)

Emma the Brave :)

I fell in love with this great Bug drawing when I saw it and knew it would look amazing on a shirt. Hope you all will feel the same way and get one for yourself. Your purchase will give these children the hope they need to continue fighting the good fight. 

 (The amazing Bug by Emma)

 

 “Emma the Brave”, as most know her, was diagnosed with a tumor in her spine at the age of 3. Thanks to the doctors at PCH and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Emma is one year post chemotherapy and the tumor remains at rest.

 (Emma the Brave)

 Emma is an avid drawer, a born caretaker and a blessing to all who know her.

Elizabeth the Cancer Slayer :)

When we received this piece of art created by Elizabeth we just knew it would look amazing on our shirts and also hats. This Cape Hero as we call it is so cool and hope you will show Elizabeth some support in her fight to continue dominating cancer :) We love Elizabeth even more after hearing her story 

 (Hero Cape by Elizabeth)

Elizabeth, “EBB” as her friends and family know her, was diagnosed at the age of five with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and considers herself the ultimate cancer slayer. 

 (The beautiful Elizabeth)

Elizabeth enjoys singing, dancing and creating all things rainbow

(Hero Cape on our shirt)

 Elizabeth is six now and currently rockin' remission and hopes to be a star in Hollywood someday. 

Meet Paul, the inspiration behind SEEDs for Autism :)

Paul Foti began drawing the first time someone put a crayon in his hands.  His love for anything with wheels on it became a source for inspiration, passion and entertainment.  He received his first train set one Christmas, at the age of 5, and instantly it sparked a resource for interest and companionship. 

 (Our tote bag with the awesome Bug Paul drew)

  Self taught, Paul learned quickly how to create magical small worlds with paint, styrofoam, empty paper towel holders, cardboard boxes, and anything else he could find to transform into a city, playground, drive in movie, harbor, airport or factory of some type.  Attention to detail and how to create realistic scenes just came naturally, but also with plenty of research for how to learn new techniques.  Cooking would have to be Paul's close second passion, being in the kitchen cooking breads, and creating interesting culturally themed foods gave Paul much pleasure. 

 (Paul just loved being creative)

 His cats, especially Mary Phyllis held a very special place in Paul's heart.   Always quick with a smile for the camera,  his hardy laughter and contagious smile could make even Scrooge join in.  Always the great teacher, and peacemaker, who was quick to chant, "don't worry, be happy,"  when he sensed frustration or unhappiness from those around him.   This truly great big heart, who thought of everyone else's needs....He made our world a much better place, and is extremely missed, and without a doubt...brought enormous joy and pride to his family.  Mom did a great job!

 (The cool muscle car Paul drew)

So please help SEEDs for Autism continue their amazing work in teaching skills that will help those with autism support themselves for a lifetime ! Thank you