Cousin Brenton was diagnosed with a form of Autism many years ago when not much was known about this condition, and could not attend main-stream school, but he developed several above-average self-taught skills, some of which I'd like to share with you.
This is an exceptional church model that my talented young cousin designed and built using scrap English deal wood and pine wood; both soft woods.
The inspiration behind it was when he stumbled across the ruins of a church building on a farm outside the Karoo town of Nieu Bethesda, and the idea was borne that he would rebuild a model of this little church.
Psychologists back in the day painted a very dark picture and also told his parents that he would never be able to read and write; this special young man however proved them otherwise!
I will let his father tell the story in his own words:
We as parents are blessed and privileged to be of witness to some of our son's achievements despite unimaginable challenges, great and small, from various authorities and child psychologists.
His career of self-education started 36 years ago at the tender age of 7 next to me, at the carpenter's work bench.
Since then he has proven himself as expert in...
- Woodwork, fine or rough;
- Electrical self-help and installations as per his own sketches;
- Auto mechanics as per social media self-help;
- Excellent auto body repairs as well as spray work with high pressure equipment.
- Reading and writing!
- Budgeting for his own needs from a government disability grant.
I feel Brenton's work is way too beautiful not to share with my friends here on Hive, and to my way of thinking this project in particular is apt for the Architecture and Design Community, as it's a model of a church building with all the furnishings made to perfect scale in relation to the building size.
The height from the base to the roof apex is 840mm; the length of one side of the building is 825mm and the total front width is 670mm.
Therefore this little church actually is not so small and is quite a weight with all the furnishings inside so takes two men to lift it.
First Church pew complete with rough sketch giving dimensions.
Another rough sketch with building dimensions.
Church still incomplete at this stage
Door leading to vestry with organ upstairs.
Finally, I'd like to share Brenton's prayer and motivation for building this church model...in his own writing and words.
Brenton and his parents are the perfect example of determination and faith and not simply accepting the educated naysayers by getting on with life and bringing out the hidden talents that they saw in this very special intuitive young man.
I further hope to share more of my very special young cousin's other carpentry gems, like a garden pergola model which is an exact replica of a pergola he had built when they were living in a historical house in the Karoo in the Cape Province.
Note the hues of the wood differs in many of the photos as they were taken at different times with varying light intensity conditions.
Brenton at home with his other passion, a model car collection in the background.
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Wow, this is such remarkable craftsmanship of an architectural scaled model of a church! Not only is the exterior of this sacred building impressive, but the interior details also show beautifully assembled parts that mimic a real church atmosphere.
Congratulations to your cousin Brenton for his exceptional work! And I'm truly grateful to you too @lizelle for showing his special creative gifts in this community for everyone to admire and appreciate. More power to Brenton!
Awe thank you @storiesoferne, I really felt this was done so perfectly to scale that it had to be shared with your awesome talented community who I knew would appreciate it.
I've shared the post link with his Mom and will make sure they check out all the wonderful comments from you and the other awesome Hiveans!
Jesus, it got me all up in my feelings... I don't think we understand autism, it might be a gift from god in a weird twisted fate. Just really inspiring, I can tell you that I will not be able to do what that young man does, not in a million years.
Just beautiful post Lizelle!
I'm sooo glad you enjoyed Brenton's touching story, he really is very special and his parents always say that he has taught them so much! There are many things in life that is beyond our understanding as to why, but there a lessons to be learned all the time!
Thank you for the reblog and the wonderful feedback my friend🤩
My pleasure, you rock!!!
You are so right @lizelle , not much was known about autism and adhd in those days. Glad he had the parents he was blessed with, it makes such a difference how they are treated and taught. Lovely blog. Thanks for sharing.
Brenton's parents really are the best, always encouraging him in everything and allowing him to grow and become the best version of himself, not the stereotype the world wants.
That is so awesome, I knew a couple when I was working at the bank, they had two down syndrome teenage children, they were taught from little to be independent, it was amazing what these kids could do, the parents even taught them to read and write, they could use the atm and draw their own money, you wouldn't believe thy were down syndrome. They behaved and communicated like normal people, some times we are to quick to believe and accept what is told us by the medical doctors.I don't say it was easy for them. They can be taught.
That's wonderful to hear my friend, it takes very special parents to encourage and teach these angels, That's truly what I believe they are!
Holy moly, this is fantastic! It's so difficult to find this kind of craftsmanship in anything these days. Brenton's work would sell like hotcakes here in the U.S.
Thanks Eric, I also thought this kind of work could be a good income generator but my aunt said that Brenton would be driven to distraction if he had to make multiple copies of something. Everything he makes is unique. He did make a model of the wooden pergola he had made for their Karoo garden though. I will show that beautiful work of art some time soon.
I certainly understand. Sometimes doing something you love for money makes it less fun as well. He is very talented. People who are on the spectrum often have many hidden talents. I had no idea Elon Musk had Asperger's until he hosted SNL.
Very special people who come into our lives showing how they manage to overcome obstacles, revealing wonderful lessons to all those who take time to know the person.
Very well said Joan, that's exactly what Brenton does all the time, just an amazing young man!
It is truly mind blowing what some people with Autism can do. And even though it can be extremely difficult for parents and family members to raise a child with Autism, focus on the positive is the only way to go on. The brilliance of your cousin Brenton it's a perfect example. His talent is absolutely astonishing. I would love to see more of his work in the future. Sending lots of blessings 💖🙏💖
Thank you so much Lena, Brenton has done the most beautiful woodwork, will get the photos of the stunning pergola and share that story.
Really appreciate your kind words, you are so right, it's quite amazing what these special angels can do!
My please Lizelle! I enjoyed seeing his marvelous work very much and I am happy to hear there is more coming 😍
Wow! That is so good and touching. I can't believe how talented he is. The exterior is wonderful but the interior, the details! They are like a masterpiece. What an amazing skill he is gifted with! Wonderful! Literally, tooo good!
Brenton really is an amazing young man and very meticulous about detail in anything he does! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback @sahiba-rana :)
Oh my gosh @lizelle. I am just blown away by the small details and the precision of the church model. What a talent for anyone to have. He looks like a happy and very sweet soul.
It really was too good not to share and you're right, Brenton is happy and content and always creating something new, a very intuitive and compassionate young man; I'm very proud of my young cousin.
Love it. GOD
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for reading:)