This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Young Fircrest Artist Raises Money for Autism Class One Drawing at a Time

Eight-year-old Fircrest resident and artist Mollee Cunningham is on a mission. She is raising money to purchase an iPad for her twin brother's autism class by creating custom drawings. However, there's even more to her campaign than you might think.

Mollee Cunningham is one determined young lady when it comes to art work.

Lately, she has spent much of her free time drawing pictures, pretty typical for an 8-year-old.

But her drawings and doodles are more than just a way to pass time.

Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This local young artist is drawing with a mission. She is creating original drawings that a customer can order for a $5 donation.

More importantly, the proceeds will help purchase a refurbished iPad for her twin brother Josef's autism classroom.

Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mollee's project can be found on Fiverr.com, a popular website where you can buy or sell goods and services for $5. The customer dictates what they'd like to see designed and Mollee goes to work. Find Mollee's specific link, by clicking here.

Sounds terrific doesn't it?

However, this is only part of the story.

Mollee is autistic herself.

 

Josef and Mollee's Story

Josef Cunningham was diagnosed with autism before he turned 2 years old. His condition took a turn for the worse when his gross and fine motor skills and language ability became seriously compromised.

Parents Julie and Brad noticed other behaviors. Josef would spin in circles, lose eye contact and start having seizures. Even with intensive interventions, he lost all of his verbal language by the time was 3 years old.

It's a frightening and stressful situation for any parent, the Cunningham's presevered and faced their fear.

In the spring of 2010, Julie Cunningham, discovered a documentary called A Mother's Courage, which changed her life. In this documentary, viewers were able to witness a new method of learning and communication called Rapid Prompting Method (RPM).  A program called HALO (Helping Autisum Through Learning and Outreach) taught this method. Cunningham was intrigued and knew that this potential tool could be a break through for her son.

The catch? The program was in Austin, TX.

Against the odds and with extraordinary efforts from family and friends, mother and son were able to fly to Texas five days later. It would prove to be a visit that changed their lives. So much so, in fact, that the family is active in bringing HALO and this method to benefit local children here through ongoing fundraising efforts and community support.

For Josef, not only did this method work, it remains the only way he is able to communicate today. Technology bolsters Josef's communication abiltiies. With teacher and parent support, he is able to use an iPad and take advantage of special apps to meet his needs. For Josef, in many ways, his story and journey are just beginning.

So, where does this leave Mollee?

Mollee had a similar regression at the same time as her twin brother, but less dramatic. She recovered more quickly to the surprise of her parents. Mollee can struggle with social and emotional issues, and she can have outbursts when frustrated. Still, she works hard with teachers and family to manage her behavior. She thrives with reading and language skills. She also possesses a keen photographic memory. Her academic achievements are the same or above her peers.

 

What is school like for the twins?

Mollee is in her first year at Tacoma's Skyline Elementary . She is in a class called Intermediate Adjustment class. This class is designed for typical children who need a little more support in the classroom. Mollee enjoys her time in this classroom with the care and help of some great and hard working teachers. Mollee works on controlling her outbursts with appropriate behavioral skills and can model from the other students. Her social development has improved in this style of classroom.

Josef is enrolled at Tacoma's Franklin Elementary's Intermediate Autism Class. This is a self-contained classroom consisting of children who have limited verbal abilities or are completely nonverbal. Again, bolstered by caring, hardworking teachers and para-educators, each student is given the tools he or she needs to achieve personal educational development.

Children are taught life skills (such as cooking) and other indivudally based curriculums. Needed classroom items center around adaptive technology that is key for children with these special needs (special keyboards, a mouse and mouse pad, and so on). iPads in the classroom are going to aid many of these children who thrive in technology based learning. iTunes has some great apps specifically designed for kids on the spectrum.

It's an exciting time in Josef's classroom. And with Mollee's efforts, more help is on the way.

 

Mollee's Art and Fundraising

As of this writing, Mollee has managed to raise $250.

If Mollee could, she'd love nothing more than to do 20 pictures per day. Her infectious enthusiasm and love of arts and crafts, keeps her motivated beyond measure.

But due to homework and other daily routines, her parents do need to intervene. Currently, the Cunninghams are keeping an eye on the orders to make sure she is not too overwhelmed. So far, so good.

Mollee has created plenty of pictures for plenty of people. She's drawn everything from fairies and family pets to flowers and holiday scenes.

But perhaps the most touching portrait was ordered by a U.S. Marine. He commissioned a picture of a U.S. Marine hugging a Tacoma Police officer. Mollee didn't know what a U.S. Marine was, so her mom showed her a picture of a marine in dress blues and explained what marine does. Mollee took her newfound knowledge and put it to work in the drawing featured in this article.

(Click on the media gallery to view the picture)

 

My Interview with Mollee Cunningham (with a little help from mom)

Patch: When did you become an artist?

MC: I color with crayons when I'm a kid.

JC: Her first painting was around 17 months old. We took her to the Children's Musuem in Tacoma and she bolted for the art area. That painting hangs over our fireplace.

Patch: What things do you like to draw best?

MC: People and animals.

JC: She draws lots of people, houses, dogs, and other animals.

Patch: Why did you decide to raise money for Josef's classroom?

MC: To help students learn. To help students talk.

JC: Mollee is often sad that Josef doesn't speak. RPM has some limitations and they do not communicate well yet. They do play together, but it's mostly rough housing and wrestling. She's tried hard to play board games and things like that with him, but he doesn't want to play. I got the idea for the project after a day when Mollee drew all over the walls, doors, floors, etc. I had seen Fiverr.com before and thought we could channel all of that energy for drawing into a good cause. When I told her my idea, she was very excited and wanted to start right away. The first thing she says when she gets home from school is, "...can I draw the pictures to win the iPad for Josef and his students? " It's really sweet.

Sweet indeed.

If you are interested in participating in Mollee's project and wish to order a commissioned drawing, check out Mollee's Fiverr.com site using the link noted at the beginning of the article.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from University Place