‘A Life with a Purpose’ gives special needs child a voice

SPRINGVILLE — The Springville Women of the Moose Chapter No. 1183 made a cash donation of $50 to the Hulburt Library at the library fundraiser, hosted by Erie County Legislator John Mills, on July 19. In addition to the check, the chapter also donated “A Life with a Purpose” to the library.

The book was written by Western New Yorker Steven Desmond and his son Francis, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and autism.

“In gifting this new book to Hulbert Library, the Springville Women of the Moose wish to provide a pictoral reference for students, educators and also families in similar circumstances,” the Women of the Moose said, in a letter presented with the book.

“A Life With a Purpose” is full of 14-year-old Francis’s original illustrations, as well as his father’s original photographs and journal entries.

“He struggled with his son’s pain, but realized [that] painting gave his son a voice,” The Women of the Moose said. “Please enjoy the drawings and appreciate their search for a cure.”

“At 8:20 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, 1998, Francis ‘D’ Desmond was born,” Steven Desmond said. “Our first child, he fell asleep on my chest virtually every night for the next two months. He was special. Little did we know at the time, how truly special he’d be.”

Francis was later diagnosed with autism and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a life-threatening illness. “Like everyone else born on this planet, Francis has a purpose,” the boy’s father said. “His forte shines through every time he touches a pencil, crayon, pen, paint, glue or mixed media to a piece of paper, canvas or wall.”

The book cannot be checked out of the library, as it does not contain a microchip, but can be viewed during library open hours. Francis drew the pictures and his father, a multi-award-winning professional photographer and photojournalist in Buffalo, took the pictures and compiled the book.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go to research to find a cure for neuromuscular and genetic diseases, which affect primarily children.

For more information, visit “A Life with a Purpose”’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dprimefocus, or email ALifeWithAPurpose18@yahoo.com.