Artist helped by program gives back

Clearwater, Florida - Surrounded by her artwork, it's easy to tell that Brooke Becker loves to paint. She'll paint on most anything, even rocks.

Brooke's right side is paralyzed and talking is difficult, so on a computer screen she types out that she likes to create things that are "beautiful."

Sixteen years ago, a car accident left Brooke in a coma for six months. Doctors saved her life, but when she was finally out of the hospital, her father says Brooke's lifestyle was lacking.

"It was a terrible thing to watch this outstanding girl just have to sit there with nothing to do," says Bob Becker.

And that's when Brooke started an art class run by the Abilities Foundation and picked up a paintbrush for the very first time.

"Abilities, I mean, that's the thing that changed our whole lives," says Bob.

Brooke turns her paintings into greeting cards and now her artwork will also bring some holiday smiles. She was chosen to design the card for this year's Santa Dollars campaign.

Santa Dollars are spendable dollars which feature a peel-off image of Santa. Starting on Sunday, you can purchase Santa Dollars at area Publix stores for $2.50. One dollar of that goes to the Abilities Foundation to help fund the programs they run for the disabled.

Each year the Santa Dollars program raises about $40,000 for the Abilities Foundation.

Brooke and her father can't imagine her life without art and they take pride in knowing that Brooke is now helping to color the world of others.

To see more of Brooke's art and to purchase her greeting cards click here.

For more information on the Abilities Foundation click here.