Treacher Collins Syndrome: Teeth for Rudy

Hello. My name is Kelly Borsheim. I would like to introduce you to "my kid" Rudy. OK, so he is not technically mine and he is no longer a child. I met Rudy Sanchez Jr. on 13 February 1992 through the City of Austin's Mentor Program. I was working in image preservation back then and 11-year-old Rudy, along with 13 other children considered "At Risk," waited in his elementary school library to meet their new mentors. As my co-workers and I walked into the room, Rudy enthusiastically shouted, "Who's my friend?" accenting each word equally.

In all honesty and shame, being the queasy type, for that first moment I had hoped it was not I. That day changed both of our lives. We still reminisce fondly about that day and celebrate this anniversary each year. Rudy rarely ceases to teach me things.

Rudy was born with Treacher Collins' Syndrome. It is a facial-cranial birth defect that left his head severely deformed. Rudy has been in surgery more times than anyone I have ever heard of. His first one happened shortly after his birth to repair a cleft palate.

Rudy has a few other struggles (including the loss of one eye in an accident when he was a young child), but he has always taken one day at a time. He is more optimistic than most and a smile is never far from his lips. He has learned how to play the drums and the guitar and teaches children at his church these skills. He often helps his parents in their print business and finds other jobs where he can.

Rudy has always had a dream to visit New York City to see the Statue of Liberty in person. He loves bald eagles and his grandmother's pumpkin pie, among other things.

Unfortunately, Rudy has been without teeth for about three years now. The doctors pulled out his last remaining teeth so that they would have a blank canvas with which to work after they did more surgery to extend his lower jaw. His mother tells me that Medicare will not pay for teeth because they are considered cosmetic. She was told she had to raise $13,000 to buy her son some teeth.

So, Gail Ferris at Modern Renaissance and I are pooling our resources and starting a fund raiser to help Rudy. I am in the process of choosing some of my images from Italy and we will create an edition of canvas giclée prints. Please scroll down to see some of these images.

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
Rudy is shown here after surgery with his father, Rudy Sr. and his grandmother.

Rudy as a baby with
Treacher Collins Syndrome

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
This is one of my favorite images that I have taken of Rudy with his mom Lori. It was Rudy's 12th birthday and we celebrated at Walnut Creek Park in Austin, Texas, 1992. Rudy is the youngest of three children, but the first to graduate high school in his generation. At his graduation party, his mom Lori told me that she introduces me to friends and family who do not already know me as "Rudy's third parent." I could not have been luckier!

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
Kelly and Rudy at his home in Austin
after surgery in Dallas.
January 1994

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
Rudy and Kelly hanging out in Austin, Texas, May 1994

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
Rudy mets the Harlem Globetrotter Mascot

[Rudy Treacher Collins Syndrome]
Rudy near the locker rooms of several Globetrotters

In February of 1995, I was able to treat Rudy to see a basketball game with the famous Harlem Globetrotters. This was thanks to a co-worker, Greg, who won two tickets in a radio contest and gave them to me saying, "I think Rudy would really enjoy this experience." Well, not only did I get a snapshot with the mascot on the side of the court, but Rudy was one of the few kids invited back near the locker rooms and I took this second image of him with several of the athletes.

Wikipedia’s page on Treacher Collins Syndrome
http://www.craniofacialcenter.com/book/treacher/treach1.htm
http://www.tcconnection.org
The Craniofacial Center in Dallas, Texas USA

Limited Edition Giclée Prints: Art by Kelly Borsheim

"The Triumph of Icarus print arrived the other day. Thank you very much, it's fantastic, much better than on the computer screen!"
Stuart Lee, New Zealand, 2007
(collector of the 50" high giclee of The Triumph of Icarus)

Giclée Canvas Prints: An Art Fund Raiser for Rudy

Each image is printed on canvas with minimum of 2-inch borders and signed by the artist Kelly Borsheim.
50% of the profits will benefit Rudy directly
Giclée prints are approximately 16 x 20 inches and cost $75 each or four for $250.
There is a $15 shipping, handling, and insurance fee for each shipment.
And Texas-based shipping destinations will be charged a 6.75% sales tax.
Outside the US, the buyer is responsible for any import and/or art taxes.

Enjoy each of the available images below and please contact Borsheim Arts Studio to help Rudy live a richer life despite having Treacher Collins Syndrome.
Thank you,
Kelly Borsheim, artist

Art is best displayed in a collection. How easy can this be?
Buy any FOUR of these giclée prints with 20-inch length, and receive:

$50 savings -- 4 giclée for only $250!
FREE Shipping
A little bit of Italy in your home or office
the knowledge that you are helping Rudy even MORE!
Order NOW by clicking on the secure PayPal link. Do not forget to write the four desired titles in the comment section of the order form.
And thank you so much!