I recently had the pleasure of meeting a bright young man named D.J. Svoboda and his mother, Cyndi.  The presence of this brilliant young man is utterly electrifying in person.  His Super Mom, Cyndi, by his side is amazing as well.  As you get to know them you’ll understand why.

Who Are You?

My name is D.J. Svoboda. I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. During my school age years I went through some very difficult times. I was often picked on and made fun of.

It was from these experiences that The Imagifriends were born. The Imagifriends live in a place called Imagiville. In this imaginary place no one is ever picked on or mistreated in any way. Every-one is loved and accepted for who and what they are.

Each Imagifriend that I draw is different. They come in many sizes, colors, and designs. None of them are ever mean or cruel. They each have their own special job and purpose in Imagiville. I want to use The Imagifriends to help others with Autism know that they are special “Just the Way They Are.”

Being Autistic has presented me with many challenges in my life. From those challenges I have learned to never give up. Even those with Autism can make a difference in this world. I love to travel to different places and events  to speak, share my art, and spread my message of acceptance and respect for those with Autism and other disabilities.

I want to thank the Lord for giving me the talent to draw.

Tell us about your life, how have you gotten to where you are?

I am Autistic and mentally handicapped. I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. Growing up with Autism has been very challenging and sometimes very hard. There were times when I was made fun of and teased and called Names. It was very hurtful, but that is all in the past now. I really enjoy being an Artist and public Speaker. I also love toy collecting as a 2nd Hobby. I enjoy cooking and baking as a 3rd hobby. I also enjoy Mini Golf and Bowling and spending time with my Friends and Family. My Mom and I started a new Business and Mission and Ministry named after The Imagifriends to help all those with Autism and Disabilities across the World and Country and Nations. We go to different Conferences and expos and we have started going to Schools to speak. I hope to speak at Colleges and do Murals for different Places real soon. I also greet at my Church and I do art for 4 and 5 Year olds at my Church. I am greatly determined to give great Hope, Confidence, Joy, Self Esteem and Encouragement to all those with Autism and Disabilities Worldwide and nationwide.

How did you come up with the Imagifriends?

I came up with The name Imagifriends one day when I was having a little meeting with a very good Friend that I have known for a long time. It was at a Bojangles when I had my meeting with my Friend and her Daughter who is also a very good Friend of mine. They have told me that the Characters I create are very wonderful, but they have decided that it was time for me to give them a name, I agreed.  I thought for a moment and then decided that because The Imagifriends came from the Imagination, why not call them The Imagifriends? They thought that was a great name for them. The Imagifriends were officially born October 19,2001.

What is your mission and Ministry?

Our big Mission is to help all those with Autism and Disabilities Worldwide and nationwide know how very special and wonderful they really are and to help them know that they too can fulfill their dreams and Goals just like everyone else can. To also give them great Confidence and encouragement and great Joy and Great Hope and Self Esteem, to also help them to know that they too have a great place in this World. The other biggest part of the Mission and Ministry is to spread Awareness for those with Autism and Disabilities and to help Parents and Single Parents with Children with Autism and Disabilities. Donations to my Church Hope Community Church and to various Autism Organizations.

What do you do and how do you do it?

I do Art for all those with Autism and Disabilities and everyone across the world and country and nations. I go to different places for public Speaking to share our Mission and Ministry and what The Imagifriends are all about. To create The Imagifriends I first think of an Idea, I look for ideas all around me, even in different Children’s Books and Children’s Shows and Children’s Movies which give me different Ideas and great Inspirations. I start by drawing the eyes and then I let the Imagination take over. I draw the head of the Imagifriend, then I design the Body. I add the Color which is the next part, I try to add everyone’s favorite Colors as possible. Then I think very hard for a name for each Imagifriend and then I write a Story about them. I also work on Imaginames which are the letters of your name turned into Imagifriends. I draw the letters first and then i draw them into Imagifriends. I use Micron pens size 5 and 8 for the outlining part. Then I use Crayola Super tip markers for the Colors. When I speak at different places I explain how The Imagifriends were born, I explain what the Imagifriends are all about, and I explain our Mission.

What are your dreams and goals?

My Dreams are to see The Imagifriends become very well known across the World and Country and nations. To see the Imagifriends become many different things like Toys and Clothes and all different kinds of things for children and Adults with Autism and Disabilities and everyone. To see The Imagifriends become as successful as many other great things that children and their Families like and love. To see The Imagifriends touch billions and billions of lives across the world and country and nation. Most of all to have our very own Autism Foundation named after The Imagifriends for all those with Autism and Disabilities worldwide and nationwide.

Have a great blessed day everyday!

D.J. Svoboda

http://www.myimagiville.com/

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