Love in the Moment

Leland Lee is an internationally renowned artist who has held exhibitions in more than a dozen countries in Europe, Asia and North America, including Russia and the Vatican. Diagnosed with severe autism at 18 months, he struggled with verbal communication. Hence, painting became an important channel for expression and communication with the outside world. Leland’s parents focused their parenting efforts on Leland’s abilities instead of disabilities. Leland is like a “friendship ambassador” for autism, attending conferences around the world to share his life experience, show the progress he has made and exhibit his art. He brings together government, medical science and educators to work in a common goal: for the world to be a friendlier place to children on the spectrum of autism and to help provide more support for parents. Karen’s dedication and unconditional love, along with Leland’s love for life and zest for learning, plus mother and son’s unwavering desire to improve, have transformed Leland into a young man who speaks two languages, plays guitar and swims competitively, winning the Gold and Silver medals in the 2006 Special Olympics. Leland is currently under training in the Synchronized Swimming Association of Taiwan program run by Coach Julia Startch. This memoir is the humorous and dramatic story of a dynamic duo: a courageous and dedicated mother; her remarkable son, an artist on the autism spectrum; and their heart-wrenching journey to help Leland get rid of the “severe” label in the hopes of moving forward, little by little, to “normalcy.” "Love in the Moment" is the inspiring story about what it means to live a fulfilling life of creativity and love — from moment to moment. Illustrated with Leland's full-color paintings.