It is my pleasure to introduce you to, a young man that I just met this past school year, Mr. Matt Bonnett. Matt is a 22 year- old autistic student in his last year at Somerville High School, in Somerville, Ma.
Matt is an intelligent, humorous, happy and very likable young man. He has attended the Somerville public school system since he was a young child and has been at the high school since he was fifteen. Matt comes from a loving and supportive home. His family msde the decision to keep him in public school, and though there were bumps along the way, it is obvious that he has had some great teachers along the way. Recently classified as mentally retarded, by the Massachusetts DMR, Matt is in the transition process to a state-sponsored daycare facility. The hope is that Matt will be able to attend an artist's facility where he can continue his work.
Matt lives in a perpetual childlike state in a world all his own. His drawings are a glimpse into that world. Matt frequently smiles, laughs, and rocks for reasons only he knows. Matt does however have his bad moments, think Dustin Hoffman in the airport scene in Rainman, but you try to avoid them and comfort him when needed.
Being with Matt makes you both thankful for what you have and envious of what you have lost. When he was asked by the school psychiatrist who he would be if he could be anyone in the world; he relied "Ernie". He was talking about Ernie from Sesame Street.
I believe that Matt's works are good enough to publish and be used in the classroom. They can also make great, inexpensive and unique gifts for a new mom. Or you can just buy them for your own kids.
For now all salesprofit will be going towards the purchase of his own equipment. But if Matt can build up a following who know he could potentially contribute to his own support as well as become an inspiration, and donor to others with autism. If you can dream it.....
Thanks for your support and please keep an eye out for Matt's future works, including storybooks and greeting cards.
Please bookmark this page and tell all your friends, co-workers, neighbors, family, local teachers and school department officials, and (please even tell strangers and people you are not particularly fond of).
Peace
