Art for Heart Sake: Ayo Says Comes To The Rescue Of Cerebral Palsy Center

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. It is due to damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Cerebral Palsy is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source, it affects at least 1.5 to 4 out of every 1,000 children worldwide. 

Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways and can affect body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. Although cerebral palsy is a permanent life-long condition, some of these signs of cerebral palsy can improve or worsen over time. 

The parts of the body affected by cerebral palsy, the level of severity and the combination of symptoms can differ for each person. For example, one person may have a weakness in one hand and find tasks like writing or tying shoelaces challenging. While another person may have little or no control over their movements or speech and require 24-hour assistance. 

People who have cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments.

Most children are born with Cerebral Palsy, but they may not show signs of a disorder until months or years later. Symptoms usually appear before a child reaches age 3 or 4. Cerebral Palsy affects a person’s posture, balance, and ability to move. It can also affect someone’s abilities to communicate, eat, and sleep. 

As part of her contributions to society, Ayomide Fadase, a 16-year-old Nigerian girl recently had the maiden edition of La Vie Art Exhibition by Ayo Says, at the Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria recently.  

The exhibition and sales event showcased a collection of artistic creativity that comes from a deep place of mixed feelings. The exhibition was centered on raising funds for people living with Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria. 

The esteemed audience had the privilege to access an exclusive collection of masterpieces by artist, Ayomide Fadase, who is also raising awareness and support for a noble cause; the Cerebral Palsy Center, Surulere, Lagos. 

The event, presented by Ayomide Fadase is centered on making a change.

Born out of the deep-rooted desire of a passionate prospective college student who is an impact-driven Lagosian at heart. Fadase seeks to use her work as a catalyst to evoke compassion and connect people’s hearts with charitable causes that are worth supporting. This donation is a strategic way of aiding immensely, the work done at the center to boost specialized therapy, care, and accommodation to children with Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria and at no cost to the families. 

According to Ayo Says, her passion for arts made her commit about 350 hours to draw and painting 26 different works made from a pencil, painting- oil and acrylic paint, markers and amongst others. All the pieces of the exhibition today are oil on canvas paintings. 

From her narration, “I started art in school, it was more of an academic thing, I was always told how to draw a line straight but when I moved to the United States of America, it was creative and free-spirited.” 

She lamented the poor treatment that the vulnerable Nigerians get from their family members, governments, and the society at large. Affected children face the added burden of stigmatization, inadequate facilities for rehabilitative care, and diminishing educational opportunities. All these prompted her action to use her passion for this cause. 

Also speaking at the exhbition, the renowned Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya applauded the efforts Ayomide has put into making the event possible. He also stated, “This is a success story, beautiful works and the motivation to create is very well-founded and she has started very well and the sky is just the starting point.” 

“I am impressed by the quality of works that I am seeing here, they all have subjects but one has a free Colour and it’s beautiful. That’s is the one is stood behind and I would keep it in my house and stay with cos it shocked me. It has freedom, it’s appealing, you don’t have to look here and there and find something pleasing. We must also appreciate her parents and good mentoring from the school for supporting her thus far,” he added. 

The Government should recognize people like this young lady who love arts, they should be given scholarships. Also, there are workshops places in arts, it should be made available for them so they can mix with other cultures and countries. The government should assist in making arts education attractive to children. 

While speaking on the desire of the artiste to donate to the Cerebral Palsy Centre, he said, “Health is expensive, if you can do anything to help and raise money, then it’s a good thing. People who are challenged in the hospital are also introduced to arts and people have got better health-wise especially when they are challenged.” 

The delighted father of the artiste, Ayodele said he sees this exhibition as the little beginnings which should not be despised and also as a bridge to a beautiful and bright future.

“I would do as a parent is to continue to encourage and create as many opportunities for her to display, harness, cultivate and bring out as much of her internal passions and desires as much as possible, supported all the things to see that seed and water it because it is what people are doing that would make a difference. 

In his words, “when you are passionate about anything and you are diligent at it, everything will come through with it. It is good for children to have passion aside from academics which can come in other forms. It is my job as a parent to continue to water it so that she can succeed.” 

Lovers of great art and well-meaning Nigerians within Lagos and beyond – who have the rare interest and commitment to the betterment of Lagos State and Nigeria at large – gave reverting reviews to her artwork and also supported the art premier and fundraising exhibition.