Many times people have asked why I don't share my own personal journey and health issues. I guess they feel this would put a more "Human Side" on who is behind the Oneness through Art Movement and what drives me beyond my own challenges. 

Being somewhat resistant to put myself out there on a more personal level, I have always felt this Movement is not about me, when in fact rather I like it or not, it is.

With a raw exposed feeling and a little acid stomach - here we go...

As a single parent of a very high needs 24/7 daughter, I understand intimately just what families and caregivers with special needs children endure day in and day out.

Florentina has numerous medical issues and special behavior needs that require my full attention to ensure her health, well being and happiness. In the process, over the years I lost track of my own well being and health. This past summer it all came to a head when I sorta collapsed in the backyard sending me to the ICU for 24 hour observation.

Just a month earlier I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease with multiple hepatic cysts on my liver, cysts on my ovaries, cervical spinal stenosis(spine degeneration) and auto-immune/lymphocytic thyroditis. Which in a nut shell I have a life threatening chronic illness with complications of my body attacking and destroying my thyroid.

The left kidney pain which brought me to my knees today is what prompted me to write and share this post.

My biopsy came back inconclusive/negative as they mis-handled the samples; nice right? I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do is have long needles jammed into my throat again. My thyroid is so swollen is hurts just sitting there. I was told "cancer usually doesn't hurt". Usually? In my heart I don't believe it's the Big C, that would be just too damn cruel of a joke, ya know?!

Long story short - when I collapsed it was from shear exhaustion amidst it all.

I am a very healthy eater, lots of green juicing, veggies, basically Vegan with occassional fish when my body is craving. I also exercise, do some yoga and Tai Chi and have a very positive happy go with the flow outlook on life overall.

But, I wasn't sleeping through the night, worried about money, worried about her future...Master Zhou said to me "stop worrying, you worry to much, you need to sleep." He was right, and I hear his words each day to keep me grounded in taking care of myself to ensure I am here for the long run for Florentina and to also continue to drive the Oneness through Art Movement.

I cannot explain it other than, this is something that I must do, am passionately driven to do. Yes, some would say I should go back to my "career", but I just cannot do it. For one thing, I don't have the energy to work a 60 hour week and raise my daughter.

Florentina is a gift and I wouldn't trade her for the world. Her autism, medical and behavior issues are not a gift, they are a crap shoot from hell, or Big Pharma. In my book those two entities are synonymous.

I often hear from others: "I couldn't do what you do" or "You are a saint" or "God only gives special kids to special parents". Um, NO!! I don't do any of this because I am a saint. I am far from a saint. I do it out of pure unconditional love for my daughter and frankly, it is the human thing, right?

To make things easier, we made a major move to Wilmington, NC recently to be closer to family supports - an amazingly friendly, community supportive and creative artsy town - we love it!

So, with a little luck, alot of prayer, optimism and my quirky sense of humor and artsy flair...this single mom will be better than ok. I will heal and thrive too. After-all, there really is no other option. And who knows, maybe I will meet "Mr. Right" in the process. :-)

Sending love and unconditional support to you all in your amazing journey's.

In Oneness,

- Andrea

Florentina my daughter who has autism, illustrated our book, What's a Bafoodle?, that
celebrates friendships for all.

Our goal is to sell enough ebooks; they are printable, full color and can
be read on an IPad, to allow us to fund, through our Oneness through Art
Movement, soft copy books to give to schools as part of a "making friends"
(anti-bullying) teaching tool.

Please help us by purchasing for $1.99 instant download and share with all
you know to include on your Facebook page.
http://florentinasong.com/whats-a-bafoodle/

Also check our our film project: http://www.indiegogo.com/Flipping-The-Switch

Many thanks for all your supports!!

In Oneness, Andrea

There have been many milestones in the making for our film with many more to come as we realize our goal to take on the road and screen as part of our Oneness through Art movement mid 2012!

Can’t wait to share photos with you all from our shoot this coming weekend; we will be filming a scene with actress Candace Hull as she portrays the “Darkside of Humanity”.

Stay tuned!!

To contribute and share to help us realize of funding goals, please check out our campaign on IndieGoGo.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012

What’s a Bafoodle?

"Oneness through Art" launches "What's a Bafoodle?" Children’s e-Book

Ojai, California, January 24, 2012 – Inspired by her daughter one silly
afternoon, Andrea Clarke created “What's A Bafoodle? children’s book to
honor all those who march to the beat of their own drum.

Illustrated by Florentina, a young lady with special needs, this bright,
uplifting, fun story removes social barriers, opening doors to build and
celebrate friendships for all. Through engaging colorful illustrations
mixed with humor, love and understanding, "What's a Bafoodle?" will engage
the kid in all of us.

Andrea said: “We have received such amazing and supportive feedback
from parents as well as educators who are using the book as an
interactive, engaging teaching tool with their students. The message of
celebrating friendships for all and amazing diverse art will bring a smile
to your heart and a giggle to your soul...promise!!”

Currently available for $1.99 as an instant PDF full color printable
download, the e-book is also Ipad Compatible.
http://florentinasong.com/whats-a-bafoodle/

About: The Mission is to engage folks of all ages, to help children and
adults alike see the world with an open and accepting heart, removing
social barriers recognizing we are all connected. The Purpose of the
Oneness through Art Movement is about raising awareness through various
art and film mediums intertwined with uplifting thought provoking
messages. Through Florentina’s engaging and uplifting artwork, we will
create opportunities to opening hearts, genuine smiles of understanding
and acceptance that people are people and are all deserving of
friendships, love and understanding.

Contact Information:
Oneness Through Art
http://onenessthroughart.org
http://flippingtheswitch.org
andrea@florentinasong.org
541-948-2756

###

Flipping the Switch is a story that has been about 10 years in the making. A very personal journey to bring Florentina's message of hope and faith in humanity even in the darkest of times to the screen.

Since hitting the ground running May of 2011, we shot footage of Florentina for a couple of different trailers, one was shown during Ojai Film Festival. Florentina is very comfortable in front of the camera proving she can take direction and perform during a full days test shoot at a local sound stage.

The process came to a screaching halt a couple of months back for a number of reasons, most relevant was the film budget and lack of subsequent funding. And...I ran out of money.

This "hiccup" while disappointing to the point of frustrating me to a ball tears on occasion, opened the doors to meeting new folks in the industry. They are working with me to form a intimate team that resonates with my overall vision in telling our story, bringing that needed trust to help us move the film forward to reality.

On my quest to bring this most important message to life, time has not been lost. I have been busy re-writing the script, revised the budget to a more friendly number and am in process of launching 2 major fundraisers; for which I need alot of help. :-)

I wrote and Florentina illustrated  "What's a Bafoodle?" currently available as a full color downloadable printable e-book, and am in preliminary stages of writing "Florentina Creates Oneness Through Art" which will include "Oneness Art Trading Cards" - that all tie into our Oneness through Art Movement.

I am asked often how folks can be a part of the Oneness....In part>>>

First; Please tell everyone you know about our film project and ask them to purchase and download our Book What's A Bafoodle? then share a copy with their local educators.

Next:

If you are a seasoned motion capture/animator who can make Florentina's airplanes fly across the screen and crash into the dark side of humanity turning her to dust, and would like to be a part of a very special film, and you are open to donate your time on the front end, I want to hear from you!!

We need folks who can donate their time to send out individual emails (pre-written with contact lists provided) to various non-profit groups and schools regarding the Oneness through Art Movement, the book, film and more. Any amount of time is appreciated!!

We need a website developer who has the time to donate their services to build us a turn key website with a shopping cart that we can maintain. We have our own servers with URL's already set up. Building in Wordpress would work perfect too!!

Social media king or queen? Please sign up to be a part of our Social Media e-Street Team and help us spread the Oneness through Twitter and all that jazz!!

There are a number of other opportunities to donate your talents to our projects, please reach out and tell us about how you can help us!

To everyone who has shown and continue to give their support, I am forever grateful and thankful you continue to be there for us in Oneness!!

Peace, Love and Oneness, Andrea

Andrea Clarke

andrea@florentinasong.org - 541-948-2756