— In My Own Words

Miles Evans has won numerous awards for his photography, and has presented his work at shows. He also sells his framed photos and photocards. For Down Syndrome Awareness month this year, proceeds from his sales went to benefit the Adult Down Syndrome Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the National Association for Down Syndrome.
How did your photography business get its start? "My grandma Judy had the idea. My favorite class is art. I'm taking photography now. I take pictures of nature, and sometimes birds. I like to go to the Morton Arboretum. I have lots of pictures. My favorite is the 'Strength' bench from the Morton Arboretum. I like 'Change' too.
"My aunt is an artist. We go to Chicago to take pictures. We go to the beach, the greenhouse, the Lincoln Park Zoo, lots of places.
"I sent my pictures to the NADS [National Association of Down Syndrome]. They are hanging in the office now [in Park Ridge, Illinois]. I sent them the 'Strength' picture, and 'Love.'”
Favorite activities? "I like to listen to rock-n-roll. Two of my favorite bands are the Beatles and ZZ Top. I like Best Buddies [a non-profit program devoted to providing opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities].
"I also like hanging out with my friends—going to breakfast, dinner, and brunch—and hanging out with my family.
"I go to Camp Chi in the Wisconsin Dells. I am staff-in-training there. We do swimming, water parks, crafts, outside cooking, photography, horseback riding, and we celebrate Shabbat."
Tell us about how you met Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. "I was going to go to see ZZ Top, but Dusty got hurt, so they had to cancel. I was worried about him, so I wrote to him. I wished him well. I got invited to come to his concert at Ravinia. I got to meet him. He’s a nice guy. He has a really long beard all the way to his tummy. He also sent me a poster for Christmas."
Who’s your hero? "My Dad, because he’s a nice guy. He’s got a job at ComEd. I’ve got a job, too. I work at The Red Apple on Schmale. I bus tables and I get tips."
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? "I would move to England. My mom, dad, and brother have been there. I would go to the Beatles store, and to see the Harry Potter [exhibit] and Downton Abbey. I like their music, too."
What are the accomplishments of which you are most proud? "I’m on the track team and I do varsity cheer at my high school. I walk to school by myself. It takes 15 minutes.
"I smile at my mom all the time."

"My aunt is an artist. We go to Chicago to take pictures. We go to the beach, the greenhouse, the Lincoln Park Zoo, lots of places.

"I sent my pictures to the NADS [National Association of Down Syndrome]. They are hanging in the office now [in Park Ridge, Illinois]. I sent them the 'Strength' picture, and 'Love.'”

Favorite activities? "I like to listen to rock-n-roll. Two of my favorite bands are the Beatles and ZZ Top. I like Best Buddies [a non-profit program devoted to providing opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities].

"I also like hanging out with my friends—going to breakfast, dinner, and brunch—and hanging out with my family.

"I go to Camp Chi in the Wisconsin Dells. I am staff-in-training there. We do swimming, water parks, crafts, outside cooking, photography, horseback riding, and we celebrate Shabbat."

Who’s your hero? "My Dad, because he’s a nice guy. He’s got a job at ComEd. I’ve got a job, too. I work at The Red Apple on Schmale. I bus tables and I get tips."

If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? "I would move to England. My mom, dad, and brother have been there. I would go to the Beatles store, and to see the Harry Potter [exhibit] and Downton Abbey. I like their music, too."

What are the accomplishments of which you are most proud? "I’m on the track team and I do varsity cheer at my high school. I walk to school by myself. It takes 15 minutes.

"I smile at my mom all the time."