Day 54: People With Disabilities Sell Art For Thousands

Today was our day off in Lexington, KY. We were on our own for breakfast and so my van went to IHOP for breakfast. At 11:45 we headed over to PWM Insurance where Ryan Huff, a past cyclist for Gear Up Florida, and his coworkers came out and to chat and sponsor the meal. We ate deli sandwiches from a local sub restaurant. They were very nice people and I got to talk with their president John who owns some race horses. After talking a while he invited me to sit in his box seats anytime I’m in the area again. I was laughing inside, I was a little overwhelmed with his generosity.

After lunch half of us left for Latitude Arts, an organization politically and personally supporting people with disabilities by giving them opportunities to seek out their artistic skills. They asked us to do a staged arrival for them and the media there. The building is basically a garage that has been extended and made into an art studio. They have about 30 artists with disabilities and are very active in pushing the city for more wheelchair accessible areas. After everyone was introduced they shared with us about how some of the people there have art pieces that are displayed in art shows for thousands of dollars. Becky, one of their artists with down syndrome paints pictures that are going to be displayed in Paris next week. The art at Latitude was very colorful and abstract; it was amazing viewing the beautiful work that the people there created. One of the artists was blind and deaf and made quilts out of cloth, and plastic shopping bags, his pieces go for upwards of $1500 because of how unique they are. A skill and hobby that was once looked down upon in his household is now art that is seen as prestige’s and beautiful at Latitude and in art galleries. It is a powerful thing when you change your mind set to see things in a more positive light; that was so very evident at Latitude today as we looked around at the art.

The rest of my day was spent at the bike shop and later I cleaned and tuned my bike. Dinner was put on by Latitude art at a local Café. The people there were very nice to us and served everyone a free coffee. Tonight we had a team meeting, the realization that there are only 12 days left is pretty unbelievable. During pass the water bottle all the guys talked about how much fun we are having and how the trip has flown by. It was a constant reminder to enjoy everyday and every mile as we get closer into the Appalachian Mountain range.