Over the past few years
of advocating for autism, I have come to know quite a few talented artists who
are on the autism spectrum. While I have not met Marcus Bartlett, I feel
compelled to share his story which has received quite a bit of attention on social
media in recent times.
Bartlett is an 18 year
high school senior from Missoula, Montana. One of the many drawings he
has created contains a pink Hoover Vacuum. Many individuals on the autism
spectrum have interests about which they know a great deal. Since he was
ten years old, Bartlett has been fascinated in Hoover Vacuums. This has
been directly reflected through his artwork.
A few months ago a
paraprofessional who works with Bartlett, Kathy Howlett, mailed one of
Bartlett's drawings to Hoover Headquarters. The drawing was, in turn,
featured on Hoover social media which sparked an online frenzy. Over the
intervening time, the pink Hoover vacuum drawing, and Bartlett, received worldwide
attention.
The end result of all
this was Bartlett received a surprise from Hoover. They had created a
custom vacuum matching what he had drawn and sent it to him. The vacuum
was presented to him during a school assembly, along with a coloring book which
chronicled the events that were sparked when that drawing was sent to Hoover.
Bartlett has used this publicity to advocate for autism.
To read more about
Bartlett and his Hoover Vacuum, click here:
http://missoulian.com/news/local/autistic-and-artistic-missoula-grad-gets-custom-hoover-after-drawing/article_670f0330-f292-11e3-8f2f-0019bb2963f4.html
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