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Ernest, the award-winning Athlete and prolific Artist, is “severely” Autistic. Get inspired and motivated by our journey of raising a functionally non-verbal adult son, who needs 24/7 care.
Having a special needs child is challenging. Having a functionally nonverbal child just put us on another challenging level. Constant guessing, trying, and aiming at a moving target is both tiring and emotionally draining for the last Thirty-Five years. We felt socially isolated, lonely, and helpless. hope our sharing will make your weight lighter and easier. May God be with you as you navigate along bravely!
Our stories are not the first and will never be the last. We don’t have to do it on our own
Ernest’s achievement in sports was unbelievable and bewildering.
He won gold and silver for Team Canada in the Special Olympic World Winter Games in Austria in 2017. He won the first and last medal for the team again in the Summer Games in Dubai in 2019. He is the first special needs athlete to represent the Yukon/Team Canada in two seasonal sports: winter and summer.
Do you know Ernest was water-phobic as a teenager? During the skiing competition, he’ll let his competitor pass? The road to the award ceremony podium did not come easy, but it is achievable. Let our family/mindset show you how we helped him overcome the challenge and hit a home run. This mindset applies to anyone looking for a breakthrough.
He only started painting at the age of 33 (2023) when his day center hired an art coordinator. One year later, one of his random paintings was sold.
2024 This painting marks the first time the Yukon government, under the Yukon Permanent Art Collection purchased a painting by a person with special needs.. We hope the way is paved for the other artists.
Two years (2025) after he tried painting, Ernest (in collaboration with Dr Colin Dorwood) was honored to have his art exhibition at the amazing, highly respected Yukon Art Gallery for three months. More than 50% pcs were sold to local, national, and overseas collectors.
As I was recollecting the events. Plans are underway to allow Ernest’s art to be printed on labels for company products.
His disAbility has become his Ability to do more, with the support of his community and God’s blessing. A testimony of love, hard work, and the willingness to be used by God to bless others.
Some of Ernest Chua’s paintings in the gallery
He knows he is the ROCK star because his smile speaks for itself. His painting will be printed on beer bottles for the local market. We have a mandate that for every painting sold, half the proceeds will be donated to the art studio (Progressive Art Studio) that supports him and other artists with disability. This is to provide quality art supplies for others. An opportunity for him to bless the others. How cool is that?
To follow our family’s journey and some pointers, Click here.
