Archive for the ‘Autistic’ tag

Imagiville by DJ Svoboda

Listening for heaven on earth this week revealed a beautiful mother and son to me. His name is DJ and hers is Cindi. I visited them in their apartment tucked away in a lovely part of town. When I walked in the incense that were burning where beautiful and I felt welcomed and in a sacred space.  DJ immediately friendly and warm invited me into his studio.

DJ was born on September 22, 1982 in Shaw AFB, S.C.

At the age of three, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Psychomotor Retardation.

During his school years he went through some very difficult times. He was often picked on by other people and made fun of. From these very difficult situations “The Imagifriends” were born. The  ”Imagifriends”  live in a place called “Imagiville”.

In this imaginary place, created by DJ’s imagination no one is ever picked on or mistreated in any way. Everyone is loved and accepted for who they are. Everyone in Imagiville helps and cares for one another.

What a concept DJ has. He has created over 3000 Imagifriends representing virtues, concepts, and ideals. My eyes were bulging out of my head at the detail of these figures and the intricacy of the design.

“Some of them are physically or mentally handicapped but that’s O.K”, says DJ. “I want to use the “Imagifriends” to help the Autistic and handicapped know that they are special just the way they are”. As I listened to DJ I realized that these “Imagifriends” are there for me as well. We all have something that disables us in some way. “Imagiville” represents the possibility of a land where good is the norm and the way.

“Being Autistic has presented DJ with many challenges in his life. “From these challenges I have learned to never give up” he says. I am so intrigued by this young man and what message he has to share with all of us that I am going to be taping his story and his work to share with all of you.

What are the lessons we need to have in order to teach us to never give up? How complicated does our life have to be? And I guess one of the most important questions is what do you do with it when it is difficult?

DJ turned his struggles into magic. He listened to his spirit and knew that he had to do something bigger. He was not going to be a victim. Instead he is an entrepreneur with the imagination of Walt Disney. He has already written a book, coloring book and has developed a puzzle.

Watch and Listen!

He can speak for me any day of the week.  I like what he says.

Coming soon, “DJ the video”

Visit DJ”s web site at http://www.myimagiville.com/