Rating: 
Summary: Is it fair?
Review: Everyone I know who has read this book has used the same words...inspiring, moving, uplifting-and they are all true. But its more than that. Its a story of a remarkable group of people who became a group and produced marvelous creations. The amazing thing is that the students were basically people of whom nothing much was expected. Yet, they had so much to say, if only they could learn how to express themselves. Tim Lefens gave them a way to do it....and the results are amazing. I have been to some of the shows and met some of the artists, and came away awed both by the beauty of their work and their justifiable pride in their accomplishments. In a way it made me sad though-imagine just how many other people are out there who are in the same position these artists were in before Mr. Lefens came into their lives. Reading this book made me realize that you should never, ever assume that someone can't do something because they have some kind of disability. They CAN do most things...they just may need to do it in a slightly different way. There is a lesson in this book for all of us. Despite the fact that the book is inspirational, it is not inspirational in a "preachy" sense of the word. Its a good, fun, interesting book to read, and its a book I have been recommending to many friends and one that I may give as a Christmas present this year as well. So one, go out and read this book, and two, try to catch one of these shows-you won't regret doing either.
Rating: 
Summary: A "Must Read" for Everyone
Review: Everyone I know who has read this book has used the same words...inspiring, moving, uplifting-and they are all true. But its more than that. Its a story of a remarkable group of people who became a group and produced marvelous creations. The amazing thing is that the students were basically people of whom nothing much was expected. Yet, they had so much to say, if only they could learn how to express themselves. Tim Lefens gave them a way to do it....and the results are amazing. I have been to some of the shows and met some of the artists, and came away awed both by the beauty of their work and their justifiable pride in their accomplishments. In a way it made me sad though-imagine just how many other people are out there who are in the same position these artists were in before Mr. Lefens came into their lives. Reading this book made me realize that you should never, ever assume that someone can't do something because they have some kind of disability. They CAN do most things...they just may need to do it in a slightly different way. There is a lesson in this book for all of us. Despite the fact that the book is inspirational, it is not inspirational in a "preachy" sense of the word. Its a good, fun, interesting book to read, and its a book I have been recommending to many friends and one that I may give as a Christmas present this year as well. So one, go out and read this book, and two, try to catch one of these shows-you won't regret doing either.
Rating:
Summary: Will blow you away!
Review: Everyone on my gift list is getting a copy.Whether or not you have any experience whatsoever with the world of disabilities or the world of art, this is one profoundly inspiring story. It will challenge even the most ingrained misperceptions about people with difAbilities. From my perspective as the parent of a young son with difAbilities, I can clearly see the impact that the methods of creative expression pioneered by A.R.T. will have on all aspects of his life. We're going to get started right away. There's a soul to unleash! There are so few heroes in today's world. Tim Lefens is one of them.
Rating:
Summary: Will blow you away!
Review: Everyone on my gift list is getting a copy. Whether or not you have any experience whatsoever with the world of disabilities or the world of art, this is one profoundly inspiring story. It will challenge even the most ingrained misperceptions about people with difAbilities. From my perspective as the parent of a young son with difAbilities, I can clearly see the impact that the methods of creative expression pioneered by A.R.T. will have on all aspects of his life. We're going to get started right away. There's a soul to unleash! There are so few heroes in today's world. Tim Lefens is one of them.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: For those who have a big case of the "I can'ts" this book will help you realize you can do more than you think can.
The true story of Tim Lefens work with the physically handicapped, this book is an inspiration.
Lefens, an artist, had never taught, but started an art class for people in wheelchairs. Most were not able to move their hands. He started out by putting canvas on the floor, painting over it, then put a plastic sheet over that. The patients then would roll their wheelchairs over it to create abstract art.
This led Lefens to try other methods on the cerebral palsy patients. He found them intellgent, creative souls.
The works have been displayed in gallery showings.
Handicapped? Perhaps just not able to do some things, but still very much capable of choosing what to paint, what colors to choose, and of expressing their emotions through the medium of art.
This will bring tears to your eyes, a warmth to your soul, and the knowledge that you can do more than you think you can.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: For those who have a big case of the "I can'ts" this book will help you realize you can do more than you think can.
The true story of Tim Lefens work with the physically handicapped, this book is an inspiration.
Lefens, an artist, had never taught, but started an art class for people in wheelchairs. Most were not able to move their hands. He started out by putting canvas on the floor, painting over it, then put a plastic sheet over that. The patients then would roll their wheelchairs over it to create abstract art.
This led Lefens to try other methods on the cerebral palsy patients. He found them intellgent, creative souls.
The works have been displayed in gallery showings.
Handicapped? Perhaps just not able to do some things, but still very much capable of choosing what to paint, what colors to choose, and of expressing their emotions through the medium of art.
This will bring tears to your eyes, a warmth to your soul, and the knowledge that you can do more than you think you can.
Rating:
Summary: Is it fair?
Review: I give this book one star because it's a fast page turner, but why I gave it only one star is the following. If it wasn't a page turner, good writing that draws you in, I would give it no stars. It's just the writing style that draws you in, not the content. I'm a woman with cerebral palsy, and I am affiliated with the institution mentioned in the book, "Flying Colors." And even though my name is not in this book, I feel I must make this statement. The residential facility has not requested I make this statement. I'm doing this because I feel we as the disabled community must tell how we feel. Although "Flying Colors" holds your attention, and makes you see the pictures of where we live, it hurts our families. It hurts our families because they have us there to get the best care possible and also the best technology resources. For those families who don't live too far away, they bring us home on holidays and weekends as much as possible. Although "Flying Colors" is a good book because Tim is an artist and he paints great pictures; after describing our physical features once, he should not describe them anymore. It is my opinion that our physical features in the book become what we are remembered by, what we are defined by. Even though "cowgirl" might be an accurate description and a great writing technique, it is terrible to think my friend might forever define herself that way. The descriptions of "the institution" and our disabilities are so strong that there isn't a picture of us as people. Although we get glimpses of ourselves as people, for instance, Natalia and Chet telling each other jokes that allude to romance between them. "Flying Colors" gives the impression that we are nothing without painting. Although I believe Mr. Lefens has good intentions, and just wanted to discuss in the book that there is a technique for us to get our thoughts on paper, the way in which he talked about where we lived is very wrong, in my opinion. We come to see ourselves as a family, and although we don't want to live there forever, to have our names and personal details put in print for all the world to see is awkward and embarrassing. Although we don't mind our disabilities, people must remember that we are not characters in a novel. We are real people. Although Mr. Lefens meant for us to have a better life, and to show people we need to get out of residential living, he ended up making people feel sorry for us and pity us, in my opinion. A friend recently asked me, "what do people think of me?" I'm afraid my friend will forever think of herself as "cowgirl". We struggle with our self-concept, which is normal for a person with a disability. But now I'm afraid all my friends will see is himself or herself as some person in someone's book. Mr. Lefen's book has caused confusion because he hurt us by telling us we had rights, and he didn't even bother to ask our permission to use our names. It might have been legal what Mr. Lefens has done, but in poor taste. We laugh, we cry, tease one another, share secrets. We don't consider ourselves cooped up in an institution. When you read the book, remember somewhere out there, that you haven't met, there is a Cindy and a Chet - and they are going about their lives even though Mr. Lefens separated from Matheny. Another friend of mine, if he reads the book, he'll remember how the introduction to him being first brought into the art class was how Mr. Lefens thought he was vomiting because of being excited over painting. In reality, he was most likely vomiting because of his feeding tube. I can state this because I know this friend well. I think it is deplorable to use our physical conditions that stand out to the author to show what he thinks we're feeling. Only we know what we're feeling. We smile, we laugh and although he does mention such facts, it's overwhelmingly clear that the author feels we are people with physical disabilities who need rescuing, instead of just people who happen to have physical differences than able-bodied people.
Rating:
Summary: ART
Review: I loved it! Yes it is well-written, yes it is moving, and yes it is inspiring and eye-opening. All the things that the reviewers have said are true. But it is more. It is the fundamental connection between human beings illuminated skillfully at the most elemental level. It plays a look, a touch, a gesture, an expletive here and there, speaking volumes to those who are open to it, against the mechanical gestures of those who may be well-motivated, but who will probably never connect in such a true sense. Lives have and will be changed by this, doors and minds alike have and will be opened. But there is more... The Abstract: I see it in a new light. It is woven through the threads of this book in a shimmer of silver. It was always poised on the edge of my creative spirit, but it seemed to me a scary thing to embrace. These students got it without trying! Perhaps it is BECAUSE no one saw them. They were spared the regimental persistence of a formal education that teaches us not to be children; a system that strives to gradually close our minds to our imagination and replace it with the body's reality as experienced by individuals, states, nations and indeed the entire universe. The students only have their own creative energy for fuel, and there is nothing holding it to earth once it is released. Art and A.R.T. have released it for us all to enjoy. There is no limit to where this new approach may take us. I am eager to see where it leads.
Rating:
Summary: Invigorate Yourself
Review: Post 9/11, it seems that most people are looking to fantasy adventures or some other kind of escapist fiction to deal with their angst. More likely people aren't reading at all and simply plop themselves in front of CNN or MSNBC or Jennings or Brokaw, zombie-like, cabernet in hand, nightly, hoping that something good happens. Well, something good has happened. It's Flying Colors by Tim Lefens. If you're looking to wrench yourself from years of predictable garbage---whether from t.v. or from a pretentious novel---read this book. Mr. Lefens paints a vivid portrait of all of his characters,so much so that many of the most challenged individuals in this book aren't in wheelchairs. Angel, for example, the tough, unlikely assistant from Trenton is masterfully described. At one time he's described by Lefens as the king of diplomacy and b.s.; the next moment he's the most brutally honest person in the book. Natalie, Chet, James and the rest of the students teach those of us unafflicted by CP that we are, often, afflicted with worse problems. The way Lefens describes, throughout the book and through different circumstances, how pitiful the "normal" people of the world are for not "getting it," is hilarious.
Pack all of the characters together, certainly not just the students, and I think Lefens has begun to touch on the essence of being, if I dare say so. Invigorate yourself and read something worthwhile! Laugh, cry, fight crying until you laugh, get angry, and then LAUGH again. Oh, and may Ring of Keys repent!
Rating:
Summary: Invigorate Yourself
Review: Post 9/11, it seems that most people are looking to fantasy adventures or some other kind of escapist fiction to deal with their angst. More likely people aren't reading at all and simply plop themselves in front of CNN or MSNBC or Jennings or Brokaw, zombie-like, cabernet in hand, nightly, hoping that something good happens. Well, something good has happened. It's Flying Colors by Tim Lefens. If you're looking to wrench yourself from years of predictable garbage---whether from t.v. or from a pretentious novel---read this book. Mr. Lefens paints a vivid portrait of all of his characters,so much so that many of the most challenged individuals in this book aren't in wheelchairs. Angel, for example, the tough, unlikely assistant from Trenton is masterfully described. At one time he's described by Lefens as the king of diplomacy and b.s.; the next moment he's the most brutally honest person in the book. Natalie, Chet, James and the rest of the students teach those of us unafflicted by CP that we are, often, afflicted with worse problems. The way Lefens describes, throughout the book and through different circumstances, how pitiful the "normal" people of the world are for not "getting it," is hilarious.
Pack all of the characters together, certainly not just the students, and I think Lefens has begun to touch on the essence of being, if I dare say so. Invigorate yourself and read something worthwhile! Laugh, cry, fight crying until you laugh, get angry, and then LAUGH again. Oh, and may Ring of Keys repent!
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