BPI Collage #2 Property of Southern California Brachial Plexus Network

Mother’s Day BPI Children’s Art Exhibit 2004

Hosted by Southern California Brachial Plexus Network (SCBPN)

Artwork of children with Brachial Plexus Injury from birth

paralysis in left or right shoulder, arms, and/or hand

Theme: “What Spring Means to Me…”

Judged by Leslie Blade Campbell, Art Director of University of Cincinnati

Four first place winners were chosen from three different age categories.

(Best in the Show – Age Group 9-12)

All four entries in this age group were outstanding in originality, color, form and creativity.

First Place Winner (age group 0-4)

“Wake Up Butterflies!”

Katie (Age 18 Months)

Bakersfield, CA

Katie is a beautiful, lively, and determined little girl. She enjoys playing with her three-year-old brother, Tyler and her dog, Bully. Most of all, Katie enjoys swimming.

First Place Winner (age group 5-8)

“Spring Flower”

Kierston (Age 7)

Carlsbad, CA

“Kierston loves dogs, dogs and more dogs. Her favorite colors are gold and blue, and when she’s not reading the Magic Tree House books, she’s playing with her best friend, Rebecca Tang.

Her hobbies include, drawing, painting, karate, swimming, and learning to speak Spanish.

When she grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian who works at a All Dogs Hospital.”

First Place Winner (age group 9-12)

“To Me Spring is Top Down Ride in a Cherry Blossom Forrest”

 Best in the Show

Thomas (Age 12)

Antioch, CA

Thomas attends Park Middle School, where he maintains a 3.4 GPA.

Thomas enjoys drawing and learning about automobiles. His first words were “cars” and “truck”.

First Place Winner (age group 13-17)

“Concert Season”

Eric (Age 16)

San Diego, CA

I have lived in San Diego all my life. I enjoy going to the beach and seeing my favorite

bands play at concerts. I am a junior at Point Loma High and I will graduate next year.

“To me, Spring Means Fun, Happiness, Life, and Spring Cleaning”

 Best in the Show

Abrielle (Age 12)

Lake Elsinore, CA

“I love to draw. My favorite colors are purple, pink, and green.

My two favorite sports are volleyball and soccer.

My favorite subject in school is Science because I like to experiment.

I also enjoy designing clothes and cook.”

“Spring Flowers” 

Elizabeth (Age 6)

Ossining, NY

Elizabeth is a vibrant 6-year-old, living a happy and productive life. She is a well-rounded and active girl with diverse group of friends, participating in gymnastics, swimming, and ballet. Elizabeth has a “never give up” attitude and attends all of her therapy and doctor visits with smiles for everyone.

“House, Flowers, and Dog Bone”

Gabrielle (Age 4)

Laguna Niguel, CA

Gabrielle enjoys being a big sister to her baby brother, Vayle. She is a very determined little girl, who always finishes what she starts. Her favorite hobbies are reading, music, swimming, and ballet lessons. Gabrielle wants to be a fire fighter and a mommy when she grows up.

“Helicopter in Spring Air”

Hannah (age 3)

Anaheim, CA

Hannah loves home schooling with her big sister, Leena.

Her determined personality helps her with recovery and on-going therapy.

Hannah continues to improve and it is a joy and blessing to have her in our lives.

“Hana Out in the Spring”

Hana (Age 51/2)

Lakeside, CA

Hana is a very active five-year-old. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite animal is giant panda.  And her favorite food is chicken nuggets with ranch dressing and salad. She is a very good soccer player and also likes swimming and jump roping.  In passing time, she plays with

Star Wars figures with her brother and watches Lizzie McGuire and Dora the Explorer.

“Spring Flowers”

Kiana (Age 3)

Chula Vista, CA

Kiana is enjoys having a baby sister, Kassie. Kiana hobbies are singing and dancing around the house, and coloring, too. She enjoys watching Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues.

When she’s not playing on the computer, she asks her mommy to read books with her.

“A Butterfly”

Lise (Age 6)

Leucadia, CA

Lise lives with her mom, dad, sister, brother, and her cat, Jack. She plays T-ball and enjoys doing the hula with her dad. Lise loves school and hopes to be a teacher or a veterinarian some day.

“Birdy”

Maia (Age 5)

Ambler, PA

Maia loves to paint, dance, sing, and listen to music. And she adores her three cats. “Birdy”

took extra effort since Maia is originally a leftie, but had to adjust using her non-dominant right

hand for writing and art. This piece was created only with verbal cues from her teacher.

“I am so proud of my little girl!” her mommy says

“What Spring Means To Me”

Matthew (Age 3)

San Jacinto, CA

“Hi, my name is Matthew. I am three years old. I have a 14-year-old brother and a sister who is 10 years old. My favorite things to do are, playing outside and watching Playhouse Disney.”

“Birds, Flowers, Sunshine, and my sister’s Fish, Glowie”

Mikayla (Age 22 months)

Sherwood, OR

“Mikayla is the light of our lives, along with his big sister, Brianna. Mikayla continues

to amaze and delight us, and we are grateful that she is a big part of our lives.”

“Staring at a Spring Sunrise”

Nicholas (Age 1)

San Diego, CA

Nicholas is a vibrant one-year-old with an affinity for curiosity.

He enjoys getting into things, especially, discovering new toys around the house.

Most of all, the kitty seems to draw a lot of attention from him.

“Spring Fishing”

Parker (Age 5)

Chetek, WI

Parker enjoys playing with his big brother Connor and his little brother, Jackson, and of course, his two cats, Mocha and Angel. His hobbies include, football, fishing, snowmobiling, and sledding,

but special times are spent on the farm with his dad.

“Spring Time Bunnies”

 Best in the Show

Rachel (Age 9)

Elverson, PA

Rachel is a lover of crab legs and high roller coasters. She enjoys playing soccer,

and fears big lightening bolts, most of all; she hates being alone after a scary movie.

Rachel would like to be a brachial plexus surgeon or an artist when she grows up.

“Spring is Picking Flowers for Mommy”

Reece (Age 3)

Escondido, CA

What Spring Means to me… When old flowers become new flowers and leaves turn into flowers,

and when trees grow big, and sunshine comes out and gets in my eyes. In spring, 

I don’t have to wear a jacket and ride my bike, and... I can pick flowers for my mommy.

“Family Fishing”

Ryan (Age 5)

Oceanside, CA

Ryan wears a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. He practices everyday for his competition in June, 2004. Ryan loves playing with his school buddies and carries on interesting conversations with their moms.

When he grows up, he wants to be a policeman in the morning, fireman in the afternoon and be in the military at night. He will be a one busy man.

“Spring Colors”

Sophie (Age 3)

Cincinnati, OH

Sophie loves dolls, and singing and dancing on her “stage”. She also likes climbing, tricycling,

and swimming. And she’s quite a gymnast, who is not very fond of bugs or dogs.

“Colors of Spring Ding”

Summer (Age 7)

Valencia, CA

Summer’s favorite things to do are playing games on the X-BOX and the computer,

when she’s not outside playing with her friends. Last year’s favorite sport was soccer,

and this year; she’s determined to play baseball.

“Return of the Dragonfly”

 Best in the Show

Trevor (Age 10)

British Columbia, Canada

Trevor is a right-handed boy, but uses his left hand and arm for everything. Despite his injury, Trevor enjoys fishing, hockey, cycling, archery, sketching, and piano lessons. Trevor looks forward to taking art classes. Trevor loves all animals, but his favorites are his Chihuahua, Bambi, and his hamster, Hammy. Trevor loves adventure and he also has a wonderful sense of humor.

Candid Pics

Molly Pereira (SCBPN Membership), Kathy Maxwell (SCBPN Fundraising),

Tina Arvizu (SCBPN Director) & Connie Cannon (Webmaster/Artist)

The magic show                        Kierston & her 1^st grade teacher                       Gabrielle

Kathy Maxwell & Joanne Ray  Lisa Myers & Jody Evans         Terry Muckley & Tina Arvizu  

Lisa & Abrielle Myers              Tina & Gabrielle           Jennifer & Katie Faughn

Pereira Family                          Maxwell Family                                    Lia & Ray Javier

The proceeds from this event will benefit Southern California Brachial Plexus Network (SCBPN)

Special thanks to Kelley's Restaurant in Long Beach, CA,

for continuous dedication and financial support in bring awareness to brachial plexus injuries.

Poem from Mother’s Day Art Exhibit

Inside Your Womb

Inside Your womb

I waited for the day

Inside your womb

I was safe and sound

Inside your womb

I didn’t want to leave

Inside your womb

I was healthy as can be

Inside your womb

I left to be born

Inside your womb

I was no longer in

Inside your womb

I left to be in pain

Inside your womb

I long to be safe

I long to be.

Connie Cannon

The Sparrow with the Broken Wing

You came to us a sparrow with a broken wing.

We took you to our hearts

And warmed you by our hearth

And taught you how to sing.

But your little wing we could not heal

Despite our patience and our zeal,

So we sought the help of one

Who only helps little birds like you,

And with skillful hands,

Guided skillfully from above,

He knew just what to do.

You have a fighting chance now, little bird,

To fly with all the other little sparrows.

And when the time comes

To leave our nest,

Much too soon to seek your own way,

Know that we have given you our best,

A wing on loan from an angel

For you to soar on each and everyday.

J. R. Simons

One Minute

Our minutes fly by so fast. Hundreds of them. Thousands of them. Millions of them!

It said that one minute passed between the time her head came out and the time she was completely born.

One minute it said.

ONE MINUTE!

What happened in that person's head in that one minute?

What was it that flew in there and crowded the thought that should have been in there during that one minute?

One minute passed through like a tornado.
Permanent damage left behind in its path.

It all happened in just one minute.

ONE minute.

One

minute.

one

one

1

By Francine Litz

No Harm

Some struggle with indecision
and it never enters others minds
Some know with great precision
the choice is not so blind

You cannot condemn one for choosing
Nor condemn another for not
The choice is one's and one's alone
circumstance sets them apart

It's not an easy path
or something to enter into without knowing
The wide range of emotional turmoil
That, with each day, continues growing

Not this situation alone
But all combined
Tests your strength, your faith,
Your body, soul, and mind

Not of vengeance or lust of money
But a choice of the heart
Values, knowledge and delivery
That should be known at the start

FIRST DO NO HARM!

Peggy Ferguson

Slowly

Slowly the tears will fade
but your face will always feel their dampness
Slowly the joy will increase
but your heart will always remember the pain
Slowly your prayers will be answered
but your soul will not forget your cries to God
Slowly your child will say, "It's okay, I like who I am anyway."
Slowly as the many years go by you will realize
that the best gift you can give your child is exactly what you have been doing---

Try to not look back, keep searching for new answers,
pray, love, and let go.

Love to all,
Lisa Myers
Copyright 09/17/99

BPI Collage #1 Property of Southern California Brachial Plexus Network

“Memories of Mom”

Artwork donated by the child artist: Wes

Wes is an eleven-year-old artist from Mt. Vernon, Virginia

His artistic contribution serves as a reminder that we are only limited by our own inhibitions. Wes has obstetrical brachial plexus injury.

SDBPN Children’s Art Contest

Children with Brachial Plexus Injuries (BPI)

Theme: “My Mother”

Three first place winners were chosen from

three different age categories. Entries judged by Leslie Campbell-Blade Professor of Fine Arts from University of Cincinnati.

Children's Art Exhibit

The children with brachial plexus injuries have paralysis in their left or right shoulder, arm, and/or hand. Here are some samples of the work created by the children, demonstrating their exceptional artistic abilities using various forms of

self-expression and creativity.

“Homemade Mom” First Place Winner

Rachel (Age 7)

Everson, PA

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, soccer, and sleepovers

“Rachel would like to be an artist or a nurse when she grows up.”

“Mommy Loves Me” First Place Winner

Abrielle (Age 10)

San Clemente, CA

Hobbies: Singing, drawing, painting, drama, and math

“Abrielle is very out-going and she loves babies and animals.

When she grows up, she wants to be a brachial plexus surgeon.”

“Hula Hooping Mom” First Place Winner

Lise (Age 4)

Leucadia, CA

Hobbies: Soccer, reading, roller-blading, and art

“Lise loves all animals and being around small children.

She is either best friends or mortal enemies with her brother Duncan.”

“Mom’s the Best”

Marissa (Age 5)

Windsor, CA

Hobbies: Tae kwon do, swimming, and camping

“Marissa loves to smell the flowers and

she has a smile that lights up her whole face.”

    “Hands Reaching Out”

Jameson (Age 12)

Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: Hiking, computers, astronomy, and reading

“Jameson wants to be a scientist when he grows up.”

“My Mum and the World”