A mute man in San Diego has autism and synesthesia, but these obstacles have not hindered him from contributing to society. He has created art based from his vivid dreams and will be hosting his first solo exhibit, entitled "Inner Dimensions," at Space4Art in downtown San Diego on April 11.
Jeremy Sicile-Kira, 27, discovered his talent in 2013. He shared to ABC News that he started painting after he woke up from a very lucid dream.
"I saw the paintings in my dream. For many years I dreamt I was painting people's colors into portraits," he said. "Then one night I dreamt I had a great art show of my paintings. I was really excited and asked my mom how to truly have an art show."
His mother, Chantal, noted that people with disabilities like son are often told that they would never amount to anything in life. She is glad about Jeremy's new outlet since he can earn from it, be an inspiration to others and give back to his community.
Apart from his developmental brain disorder and inability to speak, Jeremy also has synesthesia. Science Daily pointed out that synesthesia is a neurological condition in which a person's bodily senses get mixed up. In Jeremy's case, he perceives letters, words, numbers and emotions in color.
Chantal said people now approach her to ask about Jeremy's paintings. It wasn't like that before as people would normally go up to her and talk about his disabilities. She pondered how her son's life would have been had he never learned to type his thoughts nor picked up a brush.
"That was a defining moment for me. If he has a talent, he can be accepted," she realized. "Imagine if he never learned how to type, or imagine if he never told me (he wanted to paint)."
Jeremy considers his synesthesia as a gift as his paintings give pleasure to people. He concluded by stating that everyone has a hidden talent waiting to be discovered.
