Five-year-old Chestermere painter raised awareness for Selective Mutism during Victoria’s Art Show at Camp Chestermere on Oct. 21.
“We’re having an art show to raise awareness about selective mutism, and to raise some money for local charities,” said Melissa Wilton who is a parent to a five-year-old Victoria Wilton who struggles with Selective Mutism.
“Victoria isn’t able to express herself verbally with people, but she’s able to express herself with painting, and she wanted to share that with everybody,” Wilton said.
Victoria has only been painting for six months, however, she has quickly developed a love for it and insists on painting every day.
Her painting journey began when she painted pictures for her pre-school teachers as end of the year teacher gifts.
“She loved it,” Wilton added, “She’s probably painted 100 paintings in the last six months. It’s crazy.”
Victoria has even had a request from community member to paint a specialty picture for them.
The canvas was larger than Victoria herself, but that didn’t faze her.
“It turned out so awesome, she loved it, she had so much fun, so now those are her favourites,” Wilton said.
For Wilton hosting Victoria’s Art Show was important because most people don’t know what Selective Mutism really is.
“If someone comes in contact with somebody who appears anxious, or they’re just not speaking don’t get offended,” Wilton said.
She added, “It is unbelievable to me how many people are offended by a five-year-old girl not talking to them. They’re not trying to do it to hurt you, they’re not being mean, they physically can’t talk, they need compassion, and patience.
“We want to make people aware of what this is, and how special these kids are, she’s not just shy, she’s not trying to be rude or definite, she just cannot physically speak in certain situations.”
Victoria was in pre-school for two years and she didn’t speak a word to anybody, including her teachers. Now, Victoria is in kindergarten and hasn’t spoken to anyone.
If Victoria is at home with her family, and a handful of very close family friends, she will talk.
“At home, she talks nonstop, she sings, she yells at her brothers, she’s super loud,” Wilton said.
Selective Mutism has affected every single aspect of Victoria’s life. She is unable to make friends traditionally, and she doesn’t get invited to her peer’s birthday parties.
“She’s the kid that doesn’t talk. It’s heartbreaking,” Wilton said.
She added, “I get it, she can’t express to these kids that she likes them and that she’s having fun playing with them, so they don’t know.
“It impacts every single aspect of her life, I think people don’t realize how much talking they do in a day to people.”
Before Victoria began school, Wilton thought that her daughter was only shy, however it quickly became apparent that there was a larger issue.
“When she started pre-school, we thought in a month or two she’ll open up and start talking, it will be fine, and she just didn’t and then the whole year went by and she never did,” Wilton said.
“We have just been doing every single thing that we can to try and allow her to get to a place where she’s comfortable speaking, at least at school,” Wilton added, “It’s difficult, but you just deal with it.”
All of the proceeds raised during Victoria’s Art Show will be donated to charities of Victoria’s choosing, which include Community Therapy Dogs Society, Christmas with Dignity, Camp Chestermere, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program, B is for Brady, and the Chris Bolin Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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