GEORGE TOWN: It was a special Malaysia Day for Delwin Cheah, 11, who suffers from Asperger syndrome.
Delwin’s parents had picked this auspicious occasion to send one of his drawings to United States President Barack Obama.
Though Delwin was quite unfazed by it all, his parents, business managers Lawrence Cheah and Erina Saw, both 39, were thrilled that he had the opportunity to send the gift to the most powerful person in the world.
The black and white drawing which took Delwin about one week to complete will be sent to Obama via the US Embassy, here.
The medium-sized drawing depicts animals of the African plains, which Delwin has a penchant for including in most of his drawings.
Lawrence said Delwin had an affinity with the animals in Africa and loved to portray them living in peace and harmony.
“It is his way of conveying the message that all humans should live in peace and harmony,” he said.
Lawrence said the gift from Delwin to Obama was in response to a package that they received recently from the White House, which included an appreciation letter from Obama, a signed photograph of Obama with his dogs, and some brochures about the White House.
He said they were pleased and honoured to receive the package.
Lawrence said the US president was responding to a book of drawings which someone had sent to him without their knowledge.
“It is only right that we send a special gift to Obama for his kind and encouraging words, which has given us and Delwin a fillip in a lot of ways.
“We are proud that we are able to send this gift to Obama on Malaysia Day, which may help in a small way to foster better ties with the world’s most powerful country.
“Hopefully, it will send a message to parents of autistic children not to despair and not to treat autism as a disaster, and that if they have the will and fortitude to nurture and train those afflicted with the condition they will be successful and have a bright future just like everyone else,” he said, adding that they had not expected Delwin to achieve as much as he has, and hoped to promote awareness of the fact that autistic children could contribute and be an asset to society.
Delwin has won many national and international awards and been featured in the media and has citations in the Malaysia Book of Records for the youngest artist to hold a solo exhibition. He was recognised by the US-based Strokes of Genius for extraordinary artworks and recognised by Record Setter, USA, as the Youngest Savant Artist to hold a solo art exhibition. He was invited to attend the groundbreaking of Permata Kurnia Negara and presented his masterpiece to the wife of the prime minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. By Paul Toh