VSA arts of Ohio.........

Imagine being sound asleep at 5:30 in the morning and suddenly jarred awake by the sound of your 17 year old daughter screaming in the living room. This is how Theresa woke up a week ago to Brittany screaming. Evidently Brittany had one of her nights when she couldn't sleep. I am thinking that she was looking for something to entertain herself with, when she found an unopened letter addressed to her.

The letter was informing her that she was the first place winner of the competition that her voice instructor had entered her in. What an honor to be chosen first out of all the entry from the whole state of Ohio. Not knowing about this award Theresa and I did some research and found out that

V ision of an inclusive community
S trength in shared resources
A rtistic expression that unites us all
arts of Ohio

Every year three musical artists with disabilities under the age of 25 are selected as Young Soloists of the year. They are selected through a juried process in December of each year and must show outstanding talent in vocal or instrumental music. The winners receive cash prizes and the opportunity to perform for a live audience in the spring of each year. Entries are then forwarded for entry in the International Young Soloists Awards Program. An affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. We are so very proud of Brittany. Not only for sharing the beautiful gift that she was blessed with....her voice and her music. When she was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic, it knocked it on her rear for just a little while, but it wasn't any time at all before she picked her self up, dusted herself off and continued sharing her musical gift with others.

I imagine that during the angry stage after being diagnosed as Type 1, Brittany questioned; WHY? WHY ME? WHY DID I HAVE TO BE GIVEN THIS BURDEN TO RUIN MY TEENAGE YEARS? Most people do go through this stage of anger no matter what their age. I believe in my heart that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I also believe that there is a purpose for everything that happens. God gave you this beautiful gift as well as your disability, so that you can be a beacon to other teens that are considering giving up.

Keep that light shining Britt!! :o)