islandharvest
20220713-FANORebekah-0097
If you want to learn about YouTubers or animators, 7-year-old Gwen has got you covered.
“When I grow up, I want to be a YouTuber that does animation and also some gaming,” Gwen said. “It plays a big part in my life. It gets me in the mood to laugh.”
Gwen lives in Maine with her mom, step-dad and brother. It’s not surprising she wants to be an animator – she also loves painting with her family. They set up paper, paint and pictures on the coffee table in their family room almost daily.
“I feel like when I draw, I feel like I can do anything,” she said. “I can do anything and it comes to life.”
Gwen’s positivity and creativity are apparent right away. Perhaps less apparent, but just as important is how brave she is. Gwen is living with a health condition that requires her to have fresh produce, high fiber and lots of protein in her diet. But for Gwen and her family, sometimes that’s not easy.
Her mom, Rebekah, just got a full-time job after facing a few years of her own health challenges, and her step-dad, Zach, is working part-time right now. Money is a little tight, especially when it comes to affording food.
So, as the family gets back on their feet, Gwen and her brother get free summer meals at a nearby library.
“They always have sunflower seeds, which are good for fiber,” she said. “I love whenever I can have food that is just good for all of us. It’s important for me to have healthy food because of (my health issues), that’s why I mainly eat lots of fruits and vegetables.”
And she gets those in her summer meals. Usually, meals include a sandwich, fruit, veggie and milk. In addition to the meal, she plays with friends and does activities at the library.
While she’s happy having fun and being a kid during the summer, Gwen knows having the meals make a big difference.
“I feel very helped and I feel like whenever I get down, someone will always be there to help me back up.”
20220713-FANORebekah-0097
If you want to learn about YouTubers or animators, 7-year-old Gwen has got you covered.
“When I grow up, I want to be a YouTuber that does animation and also some gaming,” Gwen said. “It plays a big part in my life. It gets me in the mood to laugh.”
Gwen lives in Maine with her mom, step-dad and brother. It’s not surprising she wants to be an animator – she also loves painting with her family. They set up paper, paint and pictures on the coffee table in their family room almost daily.
“I feel like when I draw, I feel like I can do anything,” she said. “I can do anything and it comes to life.”
Gwen’s positivity and creativity are apparent right away. Perhaps less apparent, but just as important is how brave she is. Gwen is living with a health condition that requires her to have fresh produce, high fiber and lots of protein in her diet. But for Gwen and her family, sometimes that’s not easy.
Her mom, Rebekah, just got a full-time job after facing a few years of her own health challenges, and her step-dad, Zach, is working part-time right now. Money is a little tight, especially when it comes to affording food.
So, as the family gets back on their feet, Gwen and her brother get free summer meals at a nearby library.
“They always have sunflower seeds, which are good for fiber,” she said. “I love whenever I can have food that is just good for all of us. It’s important for me to have healthy food because of (my health issues), that’s why I mainly eat lots of fruits and vegetables.”
And she gets those in her summer meals. Usually, meals include a sandwich, fruit, veggie and milk. In addition to the meal, she plays with friends and does activities at the library.
While she’s happy having fun and being a kid during the summer, Gwen knows having the meals make a big difference.
“I feel very helped and I feel like whenever I get down, someone will always be there to help me back up.”