D.J. Svoboda

Cary, NC When D.J. Svoboda speaks or writes, he makes liberal use of the words Awesome and Incredible and Amazing, which I find contagious. He's a big man with an amazing gentleness and an incredible outlook on life (see?). He is a talented artist who uses his gifts to comfort children who are different and to teach everyone about acceptance and kindness. And he is a person of strong faith who can't contain his joy when talking about it.

When D.J. was three, he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder with psychomotor retardation. Psychomotor retardation can cause a visible slowing of physical and emotional reactions, including speech and affect. Because of this, he was often teased and bullied in school. Instead of striking back, he created a world of imaginary friends, the Imagifriends, colorful creatures who are always kind and accepting. Some of them have autism and other disabilities, but no one is ever mean and the friends learn they can have a positive effect on the world in spite of their disabilities. In this wonderful imaginary world, everyone helps and cares for one another. In Imagiville, anything is possible.

As D.J. got older, he became more serious about his art and more passionate about sharing it. Now Imagiville and its inhabitants have become his full-time vocation. So far he has created several thousand Imagifriends, each with its own personality and gifts. The one shown below is the Mupperezmo, a mascot of sorts and the star of a puzzle D.J. did for the Autism Society. The Mupperezmo can see things from different points of view. D.J. has coloring books, notecards, totebags, and mugs for sale on his website. He also custom designs Imaginames, where the whimsical creatures spell out a child's name. D.J. would love to do murals in homes, daycares, schools, pediatricians' offices or dentists' offices. He donates some of his proceeds to the Autism Society and to Hope Community Church, where he is an active member.

D.J., now 29 years old, works as a motivational speaker for autism groups as well as school and camp groups. I first heard him speak at Jordan Lake School of the Arts, which has many students with autism. He brought the kids, including my daughter (shown in the picture with him), a message of encouragement and understanding, and they hung on every word. He wanted them to know that they are okay just the way they are.

I asked D.J. what he wanted our readers to know, especially young readers. He replied, I would like Kids to know that Big, Big Dreams are Never impossible to come true, for they can come true in Great and Powerful and Amazing ways. It is also really Important to always Believe in themselves and to Believe and Expect and Dream Big Everyday. And also that Things can and will get Better and Better.

When asked by another interviewer if he had ever felt bitter towards those who tormented him when he was younger, D.J. answered, I am not bitter because I know that God loves me and made me the way I am. The hard times were difficult but you have to learn from them and go on. If you let them get the best of you, you will become defeated. I made the decision to turn the negative into positive and continue to grow and try to help others learn from what I have been through.

That attitude, along with the joy D.J. brings to the world, is what makes him a hero in MY book.