Nonverbal teen with autism speaks through vivid paintings you have to see to believe
When his hand dances around his easel, sea turtle's shells drip with tie-dye, a fish pops off the page and typically pink flamingo feathers are all the colors of the rainbow.
"We realize that he loved animals, so mostly he's drawing animals," Andrea Bevanda said of her 14-year-old son Viktor, who is autistic and nonverbal. But his art is how he speaks.
"I think he's very inspired with Florida that's why he's always drawing turtles," Andrea said.
The family of four moved to South Florida from Serbia when Viktor was 3. That's when he picked up his first Crayon. When his art turned to income, they started giving back.
"We are very proud and we are very happy ... it's not so much for us as it is for others," Andrea said.
They donate all of the proceeds from Viktor's art sales to countless South Florida charities & even dole out advice for other parents of kids facing communication barriers, like Lauren Carstensen.
"We all want to be included, our kids to be included, so it just kind of came together that way," Carstensen said of bonding with Andrea after finding her online.
Lauren Carstensen's 22-month-old is facing speech difficulties, so when she saw Vishy's art on Facebook, she offered him a spot in her Jensen Beach shop.
"I love his artwork. It speaks to you in a way," she said.
For other parents, Andrea offered this advice: "You need to believe in your child, you need to support, and you never know what your child can do."