Bringing Abby Back: Art Pulls Mokena Woman, 28, From Depths Of Trauma

MOKENA, IL — Barb Mathias has tried everything to help her daughter.

The Mokena woman and mother to Abby, 28, can pinpoint the moment things changed for her daughter. Abby, who was born with Down syndrome, led a unique life and was "perfectly fine" until 17 years old, when a combination of events triggered a shift that sent Abby and her family reeling.

Abby was attending a Special Olympics equestrian event when she contracted Lyme disease. Shortly afterward, she witnessed an altercation between another student and her favorite teacher at school, leading to Abby falling silent and, ultimately, a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"She went from being a totally functioning young lady, to being just a shell," Mathias told Patch.

It's been a slow climb to bring Abby back, Mathias said, and the greatest progress came through a method she would have never expected: art.

"Approximately 10 months after the above events, a dear friend who is also the mother of a young lady with special needs, approached me to see if Abby would be interested in attending an art group she was starting in her home," Mathias said. "I didn't think Abby would enjoy it because she was never a fan of fine motor tasks, but figured it would get Abby out of the house and provide some socialization for her.

"She ended up loving it, I think it was partially because she felt very safe there."

Abby has been actively exploring art and taking classes since she was 19; she turns 29 in July.

"She just keeps getting better," Mathias said.

Now, her art is featured in an exhibit at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, in Willow Springs. It was also incorporated into a program called Nature IS Accessible, where visitors of all abilities were invited May 22 to celebrate nature through accessible activities.

It's not the first time her work has been on public display—the first art group she joined, named The Community of Exceptional Artists, shows some of their work at the Vogt Visual Art Center in Tinley Park—but it is her first solo exhibit.

"It is such an honor to showcase her art in this picturesque setting with individuals who want everyone to see all the beauty this world holds," Mathias wrote in a flyer for the exhibit.

Abby draws inspiration from her many life experiences; she loves to swim, scuba dive, listen to music, ride horses, compete in Special Olympics, swim with dolphins, socialize, dance and paint.

"She swam with dolphins, came back and wanted to paint a dolphin," Mathias said, "but she wanted to paint it pink, and I thought ‘PINK dolphins?!’

"... And she did!"

'She's almost back'

In the turmoil following her illness and eventual diagnosis with Lyme disease, and then the incident she witnessed at school, the Abby her family had known retreated.

Mathias, who had consulted doctors and other professionals for help pulling Abby back out of her shell, said she feared it might never happen.

"Her doctor told us we might never get her back," Mathias said.

It took a proverbial village, but slowly, she's started coming back.

"I had some really good professionals help me, got a lot of support from other individuals," Mathias said. "She’s a part of GiGi’s Playhouse. We had a lot of good people come into our lives, and that really made a big difference.

"The biggest thing for me was to get her talking again."

Sometimes, that took a little creativity.

"I told her we’d take her to a Chicago Wolves game if she’d howl like a wolf," Mathias said. "It took a month, but she finally did."

They sought the help of a talk therapist and psychiatrist.

"It really started to click, everything started to come together," Mathias said.

The progress also splashed across her canvases; once filled with dark hues, eventually she began using brighter colors.

"It was interesting watching the progression of her art change," Mathias said. "Over time, she finally painted one that was sky blue, and I remember we all celebrated because she painted a light-colored picture.

"... She still has a way to go, but keeps amazing us every day. Never did we anticipate that she would be able to showcase her work to the public, much less at such a beautiful location with such kind individuals."

The exhibit is currently on display, and does not have a specific end date, Mathias said. It has been running for a month and is anticipated to last through the end of the summer.

The display serves a dual purpose for Mathias and Abby: celebrate her talents, and nudge her to speak more.

"We also use this as a way for her to talk to people," Mathias said. "She did stop talking, she’s not 100 percent back up to where she was, but she’s close. People will come up and ask her questions about her art, she has to respond."

The experience has been so positive for Abby and her army of supporters. An attendee of Parkview Church in Orland Park, she participates in a group for adults with disabilities, who have also gotten close-up looks at her work.

"She’s gotten a lot of great feedback from it," Mathias said.

Mathias is just thrilled to see the Abby she'd known prior to age 17 resurface.

"It was amazing to me, and it did take a while," she said. "We are literally still working on it. Just to see her coming out of her shell, coming back to herself. ... It’s so come full circle from that point, it’s just amazing to me.

"I almost have my Abby back."

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is located at 9800 Willow Springs Road, in Willow Springs. Hours are Saturday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Fridays.