The world of Tzu Chi February 2020 (Vol.119)

manages the household chores; her eldest son is willing to help with Joon Wai’s care but seldom stays at home as he is busy pursuing his own life, while her youngest daughter lacks the tact and patience necessary to provide adequate care to Joon Wai. She admitted that caring for Joon Wai wears her down, but reassured herself that the sweat and toil would eventually proveworthwhile so long as Joon Wai lives. Unearthing artistic potential The walls of JoonWai’s room are lined with watercolour paintings of nature that greet visitors with their eye-catching colours – lush, verdant trees, flowers in full bloom, the sun shining brightly in all its striking amber-hued glory. These paintings were produced by none other than Joon Wai by using a special technique: gripping and controlling the paintbrush with his mouth. He discovered his interest in painting through his doctor’s friend, who offered him free art lessons, and has been keeping at it for two years now. As Joon Wai clenched the paintbrush between his teeth, his art tutor Loh Chong Yeen held the canvas before him and moved it in controlled motions according to the pace and direction of his strokes while guiding him along the way. The painting was finally completed about an hour later. Chong Yeen revealed that Joon Wai tended to tire more easily when he first started learning to draw by using his mouth, as he had yet to master the proper technique of manoeuvring the paintbrush on canvas, particularly when drawing circles. Sometimes, the paintings turned out less than satisfactory, but ChongYeen maintained that the main purpose of teaching Joon Wai to paint is to encourage him to derive joy from the process of making art. Moreover, he hoped to create a positive vibe by applying vibrant colours in the paintings. “Happiness radiates from JoonWai’s eyes as he paints and from his smile when he has completed a painting,” commented Chong Yeen as Ling Sien chipped in with a smile, “I’ve asked Joon Wai whether he feels tired; he said no. But as I observed from the sidelines, I found this drawing technique challenging.” Chong Yeen would generate canvas prints of some of Joon Wai’s paintings, several of which belong to the latter’s personal collection, while proceeds from the sales of the remaining prints would be directed back to him as a source of income to build his confidence. At a charity banquet organized by Tzu Chi Seremban on August 17, 2019, Joon Wai generously donated his paintings to be sold for charity, which were printed onto canvas at his own expense with Chong Yeen’s help. The guests at the banquet were impressed by Joon Wai’s artwork and admired his skills after learning of his condition. The value of Joon Wai’s paintings is not represented by the price tag; their true value is underscored by the artist’s determination to live as colourful a life as possible despite his disability by expressing his passion for life through art. The volunteers held a birthday celebration for Joon Wai on July 24, 2019. The timid teenager was hesitant in openly conveying his gratitude to the volunteers, but the volunteers’ warm, caring presence remains his constant pillar of strength in navigating life. Accepting that life is rarely smooth-sailing is the first step in gathering the courage to take obstacles in our stride and live our best life. For Joon Wai and Ling Sien, life goes on as it has always been; Ling Sien continues to tend to Joon Wai, who found his worth in art and continues to paint, knowing that the volunteers will be there for them through thick and thin. TZU CHI 119 47