Today we’d like to introduce you to Indiana Phoenix.
Hi Indiana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Indiana is a 19-year-old artist and soap artisan with Severe Nonverbal Autism. He struggled in school for a very long time and actually was diagnosed with C-PTSD at the age of 7 due to many sad and terrifying events. In March of last year we pulled him from school and used the scholarship money to get him some new equipment. We had been told his whole life that he was unable to do much involving schoolwork and in 4th grade we were actually told he was incapable of learning. Obviously we knew this was not the case. But having two children with Autism made it difficult to work and the life of a special needs family is very expensive, so sadly our options for Indiana and his sister were limited. Last March, With the scholarship money, the first thing we were able to purchase was a touchscreen laptop. It was amazing how easily he moved through programs and was able to type with almost no issue. The next thing we purchased was an entry level Canon camera. On our first photoshoot, Indiana, not me, figured out that the camera was also touchscreen and made it possible for him to shoot with ease. Removing the necessity to use mouses to scroll and click and buttons on a camera, tore down the wall of dyspraxia and gave him the freedom to use his brain the way it was meant to be used.
In September, I also decided to get him a small soap making kit, thinking it would be something simple, inexpensive and creative. Maybe, just maybe if he was interested, it would take a few weeks to master and give him some confidence. Well, he mastered it on the first try, begged to do it again and again and again, and eventually would reject my help. He loved the colors, the scents, turning a solid into a liquid and reshaping it. He was amazed by it. So I looked for more things that he could make that me and his sisters might use, and decided on a whipped soap. It turns out he’s the master of all stick blenders, hand mixers and now owns his very own stand mixer! He now creates 20 products! He has created his own labels with Canva on his laptop, using his own artwork on each one, he photographs his own products and edits those photos and he helps with packaging, shipping and advertising his products. He does still require a lot of help with organization, social media,l and answering sales questions, but he is learning quickly. He has done 3 sales events this month and has grown with each one. He has his products available in a florist shop in Bonita Springs, called Bonita Blooms and is looking for more retail opportunities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles that Indiana has dealt with is how society views him, how that affects the way he views himself and overcoming his inability to communicate effectively while his body constantly betrays him. But Indiana is a very strong young man, with a brave heart and an old soul. It has taken him almost 2 decades to find freedom, confidence and happiness and he will keep fighting to help others see him for who and what he is…a human being with passion, dreams, talent, and a heart on fire.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Indiana draws, paints, shoots photography and is a soap artisan. All of his orders are custom made. He takes into consideration the customer’s feelings on the environment, allergies, veganism and really anything their heart desires. He is using his art to heal his past trauma, while creating things that help people practice self-care and heal themselves. I believe Indiana is most proud of the fact that other parents of kids like him no longer look at him as a tragedy because he’s 19 and still not talking, but look at him and hope their children grow to find their passion and can live with passion and purpose as he has. He hopes that his story will inspire other parents with special children to never give up on the possibilities. There is always another door to open!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Indiana relies very heavily on music to motivate him, keep him calm through hard times and amp him up through slow times. He also spends a lot of time getting fresh air and walking in the grass barefoot to connect to the Earth.
This interview was typed by Indiana with help from his mother
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlewondersbyindianaphoenix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579268873679
Image Credits
All image credits belong to Indiana Crehan
