An Artist

born with AMC

(Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita)

       My name is Theresa & I'm a 43 year old Artist born with a rare "Diff"ability

(I dont like to say DISability, because to me DIS means cant, & I CAN, just differently)

called  Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC).

 (to learn more about AMC go to http://www.amcsupport.org)

My parents were told that I would never walk, or be able to do things on my own after I was born, but they never gave up on me! Through their faith & determination I walked, unaided at age 5. I attended regular public school & graduated High School in 1983. I did all the "normal" kid & teenager things.... from playing kickball out front with neighbor kids to girl scouts, campouts, sleepovers, shopping, basketball games, "cruising" (showing my age here!)

After High School I attended College for a while, Majoring in Psychology. Unfortunately I didn't finish (Someday I will!)

I spent my days being a stay at home aunt to my nephew Michael, & boy did we have fun!

I have always LOVED art, any kind really. I painted in Oils in High School, but after Michael was born I had stopped. (hard to do oils with a baby!) When Michael got a bit older (around 10) I decided to pick up on my painting. I took a correspondence class in Art and 1 assignment was to do values in watercolors. I had never used them before, but after working with them for this assignment I was hooked!

In High school, when I got serious about my art, I still never wanted to let anyone know "how" I painted. My art Teacher, Mr. Jackson knew this & allowed me to do my art at home & bring it in finished, I was just really shy about it. You see I hold the brush in my mouth, even though I can use my hands, I have found it much easier to do it "my way".

After getting back into my art, I decided to join the local art association. After 2 years I ended up being President. I was president from 2000-2004, Treasurer from 2004-2006 & Student exhibition Coordinator from 1999-Present.

I have had several paintings hung in local galleries as well as the Indiana State Fair.

I won 3rd place on a painting of Michael pitching (baseball) in 2000 & Honorable Mention on a different painting of Michael pitching (series of 5) in 2003

I have been in many classrooms, from kindergarten to college level speaking about my Diffability.

4 years ago I meet a new Mom to AMC & she started AMCSUPPORT, a place for families to post questions, find answers & support each other. But her dream was bigger than this...She wanted to get an organization up & running for AMC. I'm proud to say I helped Ani's dream come true & in 2007 Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support, Inc received a letter from the IRS saying we are OFFICIALLY a Non Profit Organization!! I am serving a 5 year term as AMCSI Vice President.

I also have started traveling to different states, painting in classrooms with kids, teaching them its OK to be different!

I have recently made a DVD "A Day with Theresa, an Adult with AMC."(Go to A Day with Theresa page for more info) to help others understand & learn that people with AMC, or any diffability) can do whatever they set their mind to do! Please keep in mind if you watch it, or see me, that NOTHING I do is hard for me! You see, in my head, I'm doing things just like everyone else does!

Its that simple...........

without the love & faith I was taught & given by my family & friends, Id never be who I am today....So, THANK YOU .....Mom, Dad, Kathy, Michael, & all my extended family, My AMC Family & Friends....

copyright notice ©2008 Theresa Lucas

All photographs & paintings are the exclusive property of Theresa Lucas and are protected under international copyright laws. They are made available for your personal viewing and educational purposes only. The photographs & paintings may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without prior express written permission of Theresa Lucas (amcreesa@gmail.com) Include a detailed description of how, what, when & where the info will be used in email.  Permission will be granted in these situations that the info will be used in good taste & proper reference given