The Prism Project is funded through an immersive learning grant provided by the Office of the Provost. The program uses the performing arts to help children with special needs explore and develop their social skills.
This is a first-hand account of some of my favorite moments while taking pictures at the project the past three months. Tonight 22 special needs children, their siblings and a handful of Ball State student volunteers will perform a play at Pruis Hall.
Inspiration, amazement and chaos are three words that can describe my experience documenting The Ball State University Prism Project this semester.
For the past three months, I have woken up every Saturday with a smile on my face knowing later that day I would get to see some of the most extraordinary children I have ever met.
While all of these children live with disabilities, they can inspire anybody, including myself.
Over the past three months I have seen one particular child at the project who had a smile on his face no matter what.
Seven-year-old Ross Sewell walks into the room with one of the biggest smiles as he meets with freshman Harrison Meyers, who works with Ross while at the project.
Although Ross does not talk out loud he lets his face describe his feelings when he is playing a drum or dancing around the room to the Beach Boys' "Surfin' USA."
I've been amazed by many memorable moments while documenting the Prism Project. For the first two months of the project I sat and watched as 7-year-old Noah Fischer, who is blind and autistic, come to the project every week and not participate, putting his hands in his ears and staring at the ground.
However, two weeks ago musical therapist and Prism Project Director Amy Hourigan took Noah aside during a break and got him singing "It's Not Easy Being Green," by Kermit the Frog.
Noah will be performing "It's Not Easy Being Green" tonight as one of the scenes in the project's final production.
"He is just going to blow people away with his singing," Hourigan said.
I was truly amazed as he sang, bouncing up and down in his chair. "I just had tears running down my face as he sang," Hourigan said.
While the project has inspired and amazed me in many ways, there are also many moments that were chaotic.
Having 22 young special needs kids in the same room with so much going on at one time can lead to many chaotic situations.
Listening is one thing that mostly all young children have trouble doing. Seven-year-old Cassie Cobb seemed to do her own thing.
Seeing her run around the room with a huge smile on her face as a Ball State student volunteer chased her will always be one of my favorite moments of documenting the Prism Project.
This last week the rehearsals were moved from the Hargreaves Music Building to Pruis Hall, where the show will be held.
Having the children in a new environment with more open space and many rows of seats made it difficult at times for directors Ryan Hourigan and Michael Daehn to go through the production's script.
I could see the stress in both of their faces as a sound cue was missed, but to both of them, whatever happens at the show will happen.
This is a time to reflect on all that everyone who worked on the Prism Project went through and how incredible of an experience it is.
Over these past three months I cannot describe how enjoyable it has been to document and witness the Prism Project in action.
Tonight these 22 extraordinary children will take all they have learned in the past three months and put on a performance for the Ball State and Muncie community. Please come out and support their performance.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
