UNIQUE 2007 (PDF format – 1.82 MB) - Arise

The Arts & Literary Magazine 2007

FRONT COVER:
To Battle
William D. Whinery
William Whinery enjoyed a successful career, traveling worldwide for multi-national corporations. Shortly after
retirement, William was struck by a truck and sustained a brain injury that left him in a coma for two months.
He joined Cortland Community Re-entry Program’s art therapy two years ago and is continuing to develop his art
interest. To Battle is a portrayal of a Japanese Warrior in full battle dress. The choice of the colors and positioning
are William’s recollection of the Japanese art he experienced when he lived in Japan. The positioning of the hand
and its expression are typical of Japanese prints. The facial expression is nondescript and bears little relationship
to the surrounding events, but for the Japanese "standard" is an acceptable appearance. The gold leaf and relief
of the piece were created by the artist for visual effect.

Published by
ARISE Child and Family Service, Inc. (ARISE)
UNIQUE Editorial Board
Carol Davenport
Dave Listowski
Denise Mako
UNIQUE Managing Editor
Patricia Smith
Submission
UNIQUE is published annually to display the creative
work of people with disabilities living in Central New York.
We welcome submissions of written and visual works.
Guidelines and deadlines for UNIQUE 2008 will be
announced in April 2008 and will also be published
on the ARISE web site.
How to Support UNIQUE
Your contribution to UNIQUE helps increase awareness
of the capabilities and talents of people living with
disabilities. As a non-profit agency, ARISE depends on
the generosity of our supporters to continue publishing
UNIQUE. To make a contribution, please mail your check
made payable to "ARISE" to the address below. Thank
you for your generosity!
Alternative Formats
Portions of UNIQUE are available in alternative formats
upon request. Please contact ARISE’s Information and
Referral Specialist at (315) 472-3171.
UNIQUE Magazine
635 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
www.ariseinc.org
© Copyright 2007 ARISE

EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the 7th annual publication of UNIQUE
magazine. This is my first year as Managing Editor
and I’m pleased to have been a part of several notable
changes.
First, the Editorial Board included an Honorable Mention
section in this year’s magazine. The selection process
is quite competitive and, as much as we’d like to, we
cannot include every artwork submitted. The Honorable
Mention recognizes the talent and dedication of the
artists who worked hard to create the pieces they
shared with us.
Second, we increased the number of creative works in
this publication and also included more written pieces.
Our goal is to give more artists the opportunity for the
public recognition they deserve.
Third, for the first time we are holding the unveiling
celebration at Delavan Art Gallery in Syracuse. The
Delavan is committed to supporting local artists and
we’re delighted to connect the UNIQUE artists with
the broader art community.
Design by
Heather Braathen
Printing by
The Scotsman Press
I’m honored to be a part of UNIQUE 2007 and extend
my heartfelt thanks to all of the artists who submitted
their creative work. What a joy and an inspiration it has
been to see first-hand the extraordinary creativity of
artists who live in Central New York.
I trust you will enjoy this issue of UNIQUE magazine
as much as we have all enjoyed putting it together.
Until next year,
Patricia Smith
Managing Editor

Table of Contents
Eyal Sherman, Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Brenda Becker, Girls Will Be Girls . . . . . . . . .1
Skyler Canute, To Catch a Fish . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Katrina Urben, Catch Watching . . . . . . . . . . 2
Participants of Enable’s Community Networks
Program, Recycled Recyclables . . . . . . . . . .3
Derek Grindle, The Many Facets of Oswego . .4
Mustafa Abdul-Haqq, Bird House Sculptures . .4
Bonita Miller, Birds Awakening with the Sun . .5
Erin Kelley, Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . 5
Carol Broome, Believe It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Philip Dawson, Caught Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Stacy Hayduke, Stefanie Eno, and Friends
from Onondaga Arc Lakeshore, Lakeshore
Leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Louann Knight-Constanza, Passages . . . . . . . 7
John Harris, The Misty Valley . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Jeffrey Crouse, In My Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
John Kettler, Music Is My Muse . . . . . . . . . . 9
Tanner Woodland, Gotta Have Sax . . . . . . . . 9
Susan Heffron, Miami Revisited . . . . . . . . . .10
Jennifer Dunlop, Life is a Book . . . . . . . . . .10
Steven Ingerson, Janus: A Love Song . . . . .11
Paula Stewart, New Beginnings . . . . . . . . . .11
Susan Heffron, Tiger Burning Bright . . . . . .12
Sarah Hamlin, There’s a Dinosaur in
the Library! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Jody Jane Maillet, Floral Fantasy . . . . . . . . .14
Kermit Virkler, Stable Pals . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Katrina Urben, Cat Resting . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Genevieve Coir, Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
David Burns, Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Jennifer Fulco, You’re In My Purse,
Of Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Thelma Harper, Betty Jane O’Connor,
Alice Sessler, Yolanda Filosi, Nellie Lerner,
Colors of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Timothy Wobus, Double Crossed . . . . . . . . .18
William Whinery, Ruin to Rebirth . . . . . . . . .19
Timothy Wobus, Tempest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Kim Grindle, Getting Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Chris Sheridan, Light Snowfall . . . . . . . . . . .21
Louann Knight-Constanza, Silhouettes
(of My Children) Kathleen and Melissa . . . . .21
Jennifer Dunlop, Flying Free, Soaring High . .22
Rebecca Battoe, Human Potential . . . . . . . .23
Jennifer Fulco, Mr. Sid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Cynthia Thompson,
I’ve Been Hurt So Many Times Before . . . . .24
Skyler Canute, Dragon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Derek Grindle, Birds of Flight . . . . . . . . . . .25
Honorable Mention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
FRONT COVER:
William Whinery, To Battle
BACK COVER:
Vivian Golding, Oriental Blossoms

Truth
Eyal Sherman
Eyal Sherman is a junior at Syracuse University.
He uses many kinds of mediums to create
his art; oil, watercolor, acrylic, and computer
graphics. After undergoing surgery for a brain
tumor as a child, Eyal had a brain stem stroke
that left him in a coma for three months. He
emerged a total quadriplegic, and all of his
artwork is done with a mouth-stick. Eyal does
not see problems as problems, but rather as
challenges and opportunities. One of his favorite
childhood stories, Pinocchio, inspired him to
paint this colorful painting. He likes using bright
colors because color makes people happy.
Girls Will Be Girls
Brenda Becker
Brenda Becker enjoys working on some arts and
crafts projects. She writes and occasionally draws.
Girls Will Be Girls is line drawn with water color
marker.
1

To Catch a Fish
Skyler Canute
Skyler Canute, 13, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and lives
in Jamesville, NY. He is interested in science, math, art, and
writing. The things that have influenced him are his
grandfather, nature, his disability, and other things. This work
expresses how hard it is to fish since he lost his
grandfather.
To Catch a Fish
To catch a fish,
to catch a fish.
That’s all I want,
to catch a fish,
But now that he
Has gone away,
it’s very hard
to just,
catch a fish!
Cat Watching
Katrina Urben
Katrina Urben, 16, lives with her mom and her
step-dad. Katrina just loves cats. She created Cat
Watching using cross paper patching. Katrina has
focal seizures and a rare birth defect – Agenesis
of the Corpus Coliseum, in which the structure that
connects the two hemispheres of the brain is partially
or completely absent.
2

Recycled Recyclables
Jeni Rose, Lisa Suphan,
Dean Cullen, Tim Baker,
David Brophy, Amy Buckley,
Bill Davern, Patrick
Hammond, Heather Holtzclaw,
Kim Larkin, Cindy Materazzo,
Ramel McDonald, Michael
McLaughlin, Mark Miles,
Matthew Ohmann, John
Prothero, Brenda Richardson,
Joey Rossman, Heath Shaffer,
Tom Stagnitta, Jody VonPless,
Jimmy Curtin
Participants of Enable’s
Community Networks Program
created this work, which was
inspired by society’s need for
awareness of our environment.
Enable recently constructed a LEEDcertified
"green" building. The artists
designed and created this art
incorporating the green materials
used in construction. The work
displays an understanding of the
current plight of our environment; a
"call to arms" for implementing
environmentally friendly products.
3

The Many Facets of Oswego
Derek Grindle
Derek Grindle, 17, lives with his parents in
Oswego, NY. His interests are varied, including Boy
Scouts, gardening, 4-H, Special Olympics, bowling,
and taking art and music lessons. Taking pictures
gets Derek out into the community, helping him to
expand. This work is of certain aspects of Oswego
and its surroundings, and it shows what the water
means to Derek. He took different photos of the
City of Oswego and cropped them to form the
lighthouse.
Bird House Sculpture
Mustafa Abdul-Haqq
Mustafa Abdul-Haqq, 65, lives
in Syracuse, NY. He had a stroke
seven years ago and has been
an artist team member for the
Structured Day Program at Winds
of Agape for 3 years. Mustafa
paints and handcrafts birdhouses.
This pair was painted, and then
bamboo was cut and glued
to cover every inch. Beautifully
decorated birdhouses have become
a specialty for Mustafa. His artwork
has been displayed at local galleries
and libraries.
4

Birds Awakening
with the Sun
Bonita Miller
Bonita Miller, 59, is a member
of the David Clark Learning Center,
a program of Transitional Living
Services. She has camped with
her family in the summer and
has seen the sun rising and birds
flying in and out of the trees and
perching on the limbs. Bonita also
has worked in retail (clothing and
fashion) and did some modeling,
which she thinks inspired the colors
she used when creating this painting.
Winter Wonderland
Erin Kelley
Erin Kelley enjoys writing
and is an avid reader.
Erin is a member of the
David Clark Learning Center,
a program of Transitional
Living ervices. Of her watercolor
painting, Erin says,
"This piece expresses my
feelings about a cold winter
day. The tree is bare to
express the starkness of the
season."
5

Believe It
Carol Broome
Carol Broome, 59, is a member
of the David Clark Learning Center,
a program of Transitional Living
Services. For her watercolor painting
Believe It, she believes very much
that God was her inspiration. Carol
says, "All power He has – He allowed
me to be a part of His life. God is
always my inspiration because He is
the reason I’m still here on earth."
Caught Up
Philip Dawson
Philip Dawson is currently working
on getting his full-length science
fiction story published. The story is
about a mine in Pennsylvania where
two miners crawl down through
76 rocks and find an abandoned
rapid transit system. Philip’s acrylic
painting is of a UFO and people being
caught up in the ship.
6

Lakeshore Leaves
Stacy Hayduke, Stefanie Eno
& Friends
Stacy Hayduke, Stefanie Eno, and two friends
from the Onondaga Arc Lakeshore Enhanced Day
Habilitation Program worked together to create
this green and blue leaf transfer painting. The
artists enjoy the park, shopping, arts & crafts,
and field trips to the zoo.
Passages
Louann Knight-Constanza
Louann Knight-Constanza
created this painting from
a photograph by Steve
Ingerson published in UNIQUE
2005. Louann chose acrylic
as her medium, using paint
brushes to apply layers of
color. She also used her
fingertips. Louann says,
"One might say I reverted
back to childhood days of
finger painting out of necessity
due to an inability to hold
smaller brushes."
7

The Misty Valley
John Harris
John Harris likes creating artwork
at the David Clark Learning Center,
a program of Transitional Living
Services, and he likes working
with Steve Healy. This piece is a
watercolor. John says, "When I do
my paintings it makes me think of
my mother. My mother was an
artist, too. I think she would be
proud of the work I am doing."
In My Heart
In My Heart
Jeffrey Crouse
Jeffrey Crouse, 42, lives in Oswego, NY. He has Cerebral
Palsy and a neurological impairment, but that does not
stop him from being independent. Jeffrey spends time with
his family and friends. He likes to write poetry, and when
he has time he scribbles down poems. He says, "The
information just hits me. It’s not about anyone in particular,
but it does remind me of my mother."
Here I sit in the park
With just you in my heart
There goes another day
Hope you will come back to stay
I see you in my sleep
You are in my heart so deep
8

Music Is My Muse
John Kettler
John Kettler has been singing since he was a kid. He
has a love for opera and classical music and used to
sing opera before his injury. Music is John’s life, and
this sculpture is his expression of that love. John is a
member of the David Clark Learning Center, a program
of Transitional Living Services.
Gotta Have Sax
Tanner Woodland
Tanner Woodland was injured
13 years ago. Before his injury,
Tanner was a very talented
right-handed artist. After the injury,
he learned to work with his left hand
just as well, if not better. This piece
shows off the love Tanner has for
music, and the colors he chose
represent the heat and intensity
of that love. Tanner is a member
of the David Clark Learning Center,
a program of Transitional Living
Services.
9

Miami Revisited
Susan Heffron
Susan Heffron, 48, lives in Syracuse, NY. Doing artwork is tremendous
therapy for Susan, giving her a hobby and a creative outlet when she is
feeling stressed. This piece is a colored pencil drawing. The ornate leaf
work on the lamp in Miami, Florida, captured her attention, in contrast
to the subtle leaf tones flickering through the nearby Venetian blinds.
Life Is A Book
Jennifer Dunlop
Jennifer E. Dunlop, 13, is from
Tully, NY. Jennifer has Bi-Polar
Disorder, Asperger’s, and Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome. Her dream is to
be a writer, and she uses her writing
as a means of processing her
feelings and encouraging others.
This poem was written as a result of
numerous changes happening in her
life. Change can be stressful. This
piece shows her desire to respond
to change in a positive way.
Life Is A Book
Living life is like writing a book, each day you write a
page. Once you complete a chapter, you turn the
page and begin a new chapter in life, with new
opportunities and experiences. Like life, you cannot
rewrite the previous chapters, or relive the past.
Even though things in life change, and days go
wrong, life goes on. Live in the moment, one day at
a time to the fullest. The way you live your life now
will affect others, for better or for worse. You are
in control of your actions, and you have control over
the choices you make. Before you act, think about
the result it will have on others, and the reward or
consequences your actions will bring you. Life is a
like a book, enjoy it.
10

Janus: A Love Song
Janus: A Love Song
Steven A. Ingerson
Steven Ingerson is Pastor of Bowen’s Corners and
Hannibal United Methodist Churches. He is a writer,
artist, photographer, and musician. Steven has been
diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and with
Fibromyalgia. His poem is an affirmation of how his
love for his wife has grown and helped them become
who they are today. It looks with hope and promise
to the future, which, though unknown, will see them
continue to grow in love. Janus, in the title, is the
Roman God of Gates and of traditions. He is pictured
with two faces – one looking forward, one backward.
Steven says, "It is a symbol of how love has brought
us to where we are and looks ahead to the future."
Standing on the shore
here and now
the waves of past roll, break
and recede into memory and myth.
The future lies beyond the mist
Unknown and unseen.
Our love sown yesterday
has grown us into today
and given trust enough
to love you into tomorrow.
New Beginnings
Paula Stewart
Paula Stewart is a member of the David Clark
Learning Center, a program of Transitional Living
Services. She loves butterflies. Paula used the
yellows and oranges because it reminded her
of the monarch, which is her favorite butterfly.
She titled the piece "New Beginnings" because
butterflies start as a caterpillar and then go into
a cocoon and come out as a beautiful butterfly.
They are starting their life over.
11

Tiger Burning Bright
Susan Heffron
Susan Heffron, 48, lives in Syracuse, NY. Artwork is therapy for Susan, and she is able to see great improvement
in her artwork, in both color and accuracy, as she has improved emotionally. This piece is pastel rendering. The
mother tiger cleansing her cub was inspired by a photograph that Susan found both captivating and touching,
and she wanted to portray its sensitivity through the softness of the pastels.
12

There’s a Dinosaur in the Library!
by Sarah Hamlin
Nick and I were biking down the road when Emily Summons came screaming out of the Herbert
Town Library. Emily came to a halt when I asked, "Emily, what’s wrong?"
"There’s a dinosaur in the library Katy!" Emily wheezed.
"Dinosaur? In this library? Ha! St. Dinosaur Valley library is the only library that has dinosaurs,
BECAUSE THEY’RE NAMED DINOSAUR VALLEY!" Nick joked.
I elbowed him in the arm and shook my pointer finger. Emily put up her left pointer finger, inhaled,
and said laughing, "Right. Pfff. Like there’d be a dinosaur in the Herbert Town Library."
Emily went on, while Nick and I turned around toward our house. There we grabbed our hats,
fishing nets, cameras, flashlights, newspaper and … well … STEAK!
Inside the library, it was vacant. The moon shown bright in the blanket of black. Nick tiptoed past
the librarian’s desk and flipped on his flashlight. I followed close behind holding out the steak meat,
then out of nowhere …
"ROAR!!!"
Nick flashed his light toward the back entrance just in time to see a huge dinosaur shadow,
looming over our heads.
"Katy, fling the steak over there!" Nick said pointing to the back door.
I took the meat, placed it in my fishing net, and with a powerful kickback, I flung the steak at the
back door with a whoosh! The shadow came toward the steak. All of a sudden, I laughed,
because right in front of me was a little baby boy in a dinosaur costume!
"Nick look, it’s a baby boy in a dinosaur costume, he must have gotten caught in the puppet suit."
I had read the top Herbert Town Newspaper headline that morning. I remembered it had said:
Lost Baby Boy
Last night a 34-year-old mother lost her baby boy. The baby was last seen in the Herbert Town
Library watching a dinosaur play by the third graders from St. Perry Elementary School The boy is
3 years old, has blond hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing blue overalls and white socks. If
you see him, please contact the police at 546-9146. Thank you! To write back please write to:
Peggy Philomath, 1961 Diamond Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Nick rushed home, and called the police number that was in the newspaper. Then he brought an
envelope with pen and wrote to Peggy Philomath. Peggy came that day to pick up her son and say
hello to us. She came running in, and hugged her son, and couldn’t stop thanking us.
A letter came in the mail one week later from Peggy. It read:
Dear Katy and Nick Simon,
I appreciate what you have done! For your gift from me here is $300.00. I hope we can keep in
touch with each other.
We made the newspaper, saved Peggy’s son and solved Emily Simon’s dinosaur in the library
mystery!
13

There’s a Dinosaur in the Library!
Sarah Hamlin (opposite page)
Sarah Hamlin, 11, has Cerebral Palsy and just entered 6th grade. Sarah likes to write, type, play with her dog,
and sleep. She likes Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and television series, and Melissa Gilbert. This works is fiction,
but Sarah loves to write all types of stories, such as mysteries, historical fiction, and non-fiction. When she was
in first grade, at the age of 7, she wrote a story called "Me and My Dog, Christa." She still has the story, but
it lost its cover.
Floral Fantasy
Jody Jane Maillet
Jody Jane Maillet, 36, lives in Hamilton, NY. She loves to work outside in the gardens and loves music. Jody loves
going to the Heritage Farms where she takes care of the animals, enjoys music therapy, and learns life skills.
With this painting, Jody expressed with watercolor how beautiful a spring day was when she was inspired to paint
beautiful colors. She also saw all the flowers shining in the sunlight and felt at peace and happy. This is how Jody
feels at Heritage Farms; she sees the world in color.
14

Stable Pals
Kermit J. Virkler
Kermit Virkler lives in the Lowville
IRA, a Residential Home with the
Central New York DSO. Kermit enjoys
painting, taking pictures, visiting his
cousin, Gwen, and his church.
Kermit has Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder and it takes him a long
time to complete things. Kermit
worked for two years to complete
this painting using his own technique
and eye for color. Kermit grew up
with animals, no horses, but really
liked this picture and the kitten in it.
Cat Resting
Katrina Urben
Katrina Urben, 16, loves to draw
cats, make objects of cats, and loves
the personalities they have. It makes
her feel wanted when her cat wants
to be held. Katrina has focal seizures
and a rare birth defect – Agenesis
of the Corpus Coliseum, in which
the structure that connects the two
hemispheres of the brain is partially
or completely absent.
15

Sisters
Sisters
Genevieve Coir
Genevieve Coir, 35, lives in Kirkville,
NY. She had a stroke when she was
32 years old. She likes writing
poems because it expresses how
she feels. She wrote Sisters to
honor her sister, and to express how
her love for her sister influenced her.
Sisters are friends. My sister is my best friend.
Especially when she is not grouchy. My sister has
done a lot.
My sister has had to deal with a drug addicted sister.
A sister who couldn’t take care of her kids.
My sister and I always argue.
My sister please forgive me of all my mishaps.
Thank you for taking my four kids into your home.
My sister my best friend.
Butterfly
David Burns
David Burns lives in Boonville, NY.
He spends his days working in an
area restaurant. In his free time,
David enjoys taking pictures. He
especially enjoys photographing
nature’s beauty.
16

You’re In My Purse, Of Course
Jennifer A. Fulco
Jennifer Fulco started her first haiku at the
age of 10 and her first serious poem at the
age of 14. Jennifer is a person with Bi-Polar
Disorder. She creates poems to constantly
challenge herself to a higher level. This poem
was written to describe what it’s like to have
a good friend and be reminded of it by
carrying their picture.
You’re In My Purse,
Of Course
Mirror chiming reflective light
Like a crisp, traipsing snow fall.
My glasses dim
My reflection
So I can accept myself.
May I look into your mirror?
Do you reflect the love of a rose?
Are you pink, red, yellow, or white?
May I be your friend –
Your true yellow rose?
We can intertwine on a vine
To talk someday –
After the snowfall ceases …
When it’s warm enough
To bloom for a spring’s walk
I’d like to reflect
Onto you, my thoughts
And glimmer and shimmer
With my glasses as
A cheerful surprise.
I keep a snapshot of you
In my purse
And a mirror in my pocketbook,
Of course
17

The Colors of Life
Thelma Harper, Betty Jane O’Connor,
Alice Sessler, Yolanda Filosi, Nellie Lerner,
Carolyn Casey, Jeannette Ferraro
This project was created by members of the Alzheimer’s
Association Kirkpatrick Day Program. Each artist has
some form of dementia. The Colors of Life is a Rorschach
Doodle, and is as unique and diverse as the artists that
created it. Each person drew a line, and then other
participants added their own line until a beautiful design
appeared. Participants then chose colors to fill in the spaces.
Each space is a different color, hence the title The Colors of
Life. It represents the strength and beauty of the program,
and how the group worked together to accomplish a goal.
Double Crossed
Timothy Wobus
Timothy Wobus is nonverbal and
Autistic. He speaks through his
artwork and his piano playing. He
explores art expression using acrylic,
tempera, watercolor, silk painting,
collage, furniture painting and mixed
media. His work involves color
exploration using a variety of media,
brushes and other painting utensils
with broad vibrant brush strokes.
Each of his pieces and techniques
are unique and might be termed
as abstract color expressionism.
18

Ruin To Rebirth
William D. Whinery
William Whinery created this pastel painting
and poem to portray his struggle with alcoholism.
The flames in the painting describe the tortures
of addiction. The bird in flight shows the escape
from being trapped by addiction. The poem describes
how finding independence from addiction is not a
one-person effort, but that the cornerstone for
freedom is a belief in, and partnership with,
a higher power being.
Ruin to Rebirth
July 2007
I was empty of Body and soul
And tried relief that harmed me whole
Hope disappeared and happiness –
Vanished!
Fear was my daily fare
Nothing helped not even prayer
Faith in God, my friends and love for mankind –
Finished!
Outlook for Future –
Famished!
Change was needed
I tried alone to no avail
All attempts ended in a "fail"
I looked for help from one to learn
Addiction trained to fulfill my yearn
My life wrenched in –
Ruin!
No aim no goal my lot in life
Which caused me stress and strife
I sought escape a golden cure-all
Called – Alcohol!
It worked like magic it did the trick
To quell the pain but made me sick
Not long before it had its price
To claim my soul
The Scene –
Far from nice
I sought relief and found no cure
I needed solace clean and pure
I was alone and life a chore
I must have ruin no more!
What price for peace of inner core?
What was required was more than me
To call upon and set me free
AA was the helping hand so fare
Plus sponsor we became a pair
We worked the Steps without a snare
Step One and Two not too tricky
Step Three the one that I found sticky.
Third Step I do each day
To keep it fresh in thought and pray.
To turn it over and let it go
To free my soul and make it so.
I worked and Steps but not to find
The quested peace I needed
I prayed to God
With tears of hope and pleaded.
His answer was the key
Give to Him my will from this Earth
And He blessed me with –
Rebirth
19

Tempest
Timothy Wobus
Timothy Wobus is nonverbal and Autistic.
Tim is a prolific and enthusiastic young
artist during his weekly painting class.
He brings joy to others through his art
and this past year donated two paintings
to an auction for Jowonio, the preschool
he attended. Lately, he has been painting
with both hands simultaneously and also
creates color boundaries. Each of his pieces
and techniques are always unique and might
be termed as abstract color expressionism.
Getting Lost
Getting Lost
Kim Grindle
Kim Grindle lives in Oswego, NY,
and is a parent of a young adult
with Autism. She is very active with
him through church, 4-H, Boy
Scouts, and in school functions.
Kim is writing a children’s book about
Autism. She wrote this poem not
only for herself, but for other people.
Kim says, "Maybe this can help
explain why we get lost in more ways
than finding a certain destination."
Why do we get lost?
Is it that we want to avoid going back?
Wanting to explore new things and new scenes?
Is it purely coincidence or chance?
Why do we get lost?
Are we running out of gas?
Too proud to ask direction?
Life getting too complicated?
Why do we get lost?
Why do we get lost?
Is it a chance to venture?
To see things in another perspective?
Is it that good in someone else’s life?
Could that be why we get lost??
20

Light Snowfall
Chris Sheridan
Chris Sheridan has always liked to do art. He likes pottery and
painting, and likes forming shapes and working with his hands.
This work is a watercolor, and Chris says that when he finishes
a piece, it makes him feel good. Chris is a member of The David
Clark Learning Center, a program of Transitional Living Services.
Silhouettes (of My Children) Kathleen and Melissa
Luann Knight-Constanza
Luann Knight-Constanza lives in Oswego, NY. She created this work using
Raku pottery, which is of the 14th to 16th century Samurai. Louann used
slab forming and contemporary glazes. Her children’s silhouettes were
reduced from profile drawings done when they were about five years old.
If you look closely, you will see a hair-line fracture in Melissa’s profile due
to an air bubble in the clay. To Louann, that says it has character, and it
shows her that the definition, as well as the word, perfect does not exist.
21

Flying Free, Soaring High
Jennifer E. Dunlop
Jennifer E. Dunlop, 13, is a
courageous young lady who regularly
inspires her family and friends with her
perseverance. Jennifer is also a very
thoughtful and giving person. This poem
expresses her determination not to be
defined by her "disability," but rather
to use her God-given ability to its fullest
potential. It is Jenny’s hope that this
poem will encourage others to do the
same.
Flying Free, Soaring High
Flying free, soaring high
Wings like an eagle
Destined to fly
Above the treetops
In the blue sky
Flying free, soaring high
Flying free soaring high
Fire in my eyes
Hope that won’t die
When people try to tear me down
I won’t hide or cry
‘Cause I’m flying free and soaring high
I’ll never give up, finally get through
I’ll never give in
I’ll believe what is true
It won’t happen in a day
But I’ll accomplish my dreams
No matter how challenging or crazy it seems
I won’t believe in the world’s dirty lie
‘Cause I’m flying free and soaring high
I may never be famous
I may never be known
But I’ll touch people’s hearts
And they will know
There’s someone who cares
And they aren’t alone.
… I’m flying free and soaring high
22

I’ve Been Hurt So
Many Times Before
Cynthia Thompson
Cynthia Thompson, 48, nearly
severed her right arm and now has
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. She
is learning how to do everything with
her left hand and arm. Cynthia has
four dogs that are her children and
take up all her time. Cynthia says,
"I wouldn’t change a thing in my life.
Life is too short to be angry about
the accident that completely changed
my life." Life influenced Cynthia to
write this poem and, although she
wrote it awhile ago, she feels
it still fits in people’s lives today.
I’ve Been Hurt So Many
Times Before
I’ve been looking a long, long time,
For the guy who’s just right for me.
And now that I found you,
What will life be?
My heart tells me to try again.
To love you with all my soul.
But the hurt, the hurt keeps lingering on,
Which keep me from my goal.
I’m afraid, I’m afraid to fall in love,
With you who I adore, yes.
I’m afraid to fall in love again, because,
I’ve been hurt so many times before.
I want so much to be with you,
Each minute every hour of the day.
I want so much to kiss your lips,
In your arms I long to stay.
I’ve only known you a very short while,
But I love the things you do.
I’d love to call you my own, my darling,
And prove myself to you.
I’m afraid, I’m afraid to fall in love
With you who I adore
Yes, I’m afraid to fall in love again, because
I’ve been hurt so many times before.
24

Dragon
Skyler Canute
Skyler Canute, 13, lives in
Jamesville, NY. His interests are
science, math, art, and writing.
Skyler has Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
The things that have influenced Skyler
are his grandfather, nature, his
disability, and other things. Skyler
created this work using linoleum
because he likes dragons.
Birds Of Flight
Derek Grindle
Derek Grindle, 17, lives in Oswego,
NY, and has varied interests.
Painting relaxes Derek and helps
him expand. This painting shows
the chevrons that birds of flight take
when they are flying. Derek used
a roller paint brush and several
colors of paint, then cut the paper
to form the chevrons. Notice the
Maple leaf in the upper right corner.
25

Honorable Mention
The Unique Editorial Board wishes to recognize the
talent and creativity of the following submissions:
Cynthia Brown, Beautiful Season Calendar & Shrek
Movie Characters
David Burns, Sundown
Carolyn Casey, Apple Tree and Bench & Untitled Work
Anup Chadha and Friends, Thoughts of Fall
Craig Champlin, Tulips
Genevieve Coir, Cassie
Jim Cole, Forest Folly
Michele Cousineau, Chocolate Is A Drug
Jeffrey Crouse, Better Day
Jeanette Ferraro, Colorful & Untitled Work
Charles Fichter, Jim Cole and Friends, Soft Green
Meadows
Vivian Golding, "Jesus As I See Him"
David Hart, Trucking & Bat Mobile
Steven Paul Johnson, Peace, Love and Bell Bottoms
Jean Koek, I Have Found the Answer I Needed & Sailing
Into The Future
Tanika Owens, The Princess
Oramella Putman, Homestead
Denise Rhines, Tears On My Pillow
Cate Smith, Parking Lot Puddle & Bell Tower
David Tillinghast, The Red Champion
Josh Webster, Street Car Racing & Xedric the Dragon
and Other Animals Mixed
26

Oriental Blossoms
Vivian Golding
Vivian Golding says that "painting still life paintings is one of my passions, especially flowers." She was inspired to
create this computer-generated piece while relaxing and looking at plants and flowers from different areas of the
world, and working and living in a natural wildlife area. This work is dedicated to the memory of Vivian’s mother,
who passed away this year. Her mother had an appreciation of God’s creation and Vivian hopes others viewing
this piece can imagine more of the beauty of creation.
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