Physical Health United States Project #6748

Bring healing art to kids in medical crisis

by Children's Healing Art Project (CHAP)

Bring healing art to kids in medical crisis

Project Report | Mar 21, 2014
"Thank you for the inspiration and all that you do to bless our children"

By Faye Pendergrass | Program Coordinator

Children's Healing Art Project (CHAP)

A huge THANK YOU to our donors for bringing the healing power of art to children and families! As one grateful mother expressed, “After experiencing CHAP at [the hospital], we went to the art studio several times. We were inspired to create our own sequin-covered tray, a gift for my husband from [his children]. They used their handprints and filled in around them. The accompanying photo is the result, a one-of-a-kind serving tray. Thank you for the inspiration and all you do to bless our children.”

In 2013, CHAP (Children’s Healing Art Project) provided 8,500 unique art experiences, a 30% increase over 2012. We are grateful for your support as it provides art experiences and supplies to children and families dealing with disease, disability or loss. CHAP’s teaching artists, along with volunteers, lead art adventures in hospitals, studio ‘Art Clubs’ and in outreach opportunities. Known for our sequins, glitter and paint, CHAP provides a creative space for an individual to express oneself without the limitation of a diagnosis or disability.

For those of you who live in the Portland, Oregon area, please join us for a Night of Healing Art on Friday, March 28, Tiny’s MLK Coffee (2031 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd) from 6-8 pm. The CHAP-art will be displayed for the month of March and is for sale. CHAP will provide an art activity for all who attend the closing reception.

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Dec 20, 2013
"Hey! You don't have any arms!"

By Faye Pendergrass | Programs

Sep 20, 2013
You can't judge a book by it's cover.

By Sharon | CHAP Art Teacher

Beautiful beaded necklace

For the past year, CHAP has been working with the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) oncology program at Knight Cancer Institute. The AYA patients are between the ages of 15 - 39.

The coordinator mentioned that a young man and his mother were both struggling with a recent diagnosis. I went to that patient's door and introduced myself. He was alone. As I do with all patients, I listed the range of options I could bring to his bedside: watercolors, coloring mandalas, clay or jewelry-making. I could tell by his body language that he was going to accept something. He was on Day 6 of his stay. I think he was ready for some diversion.

Within a minute, he requested some beads. "I'll make something for my sister." Then he quickly followed with, "I should make something for my mom, too. Can I make 2 necklaces?" I gave him a resounding "Yes!" and scurried upstairs to gather the supplies.

He selected violet beads for his mom and green beads for his sister. He told me their first names so he could customize the pieces with alphabet letter beads. When I came back to his room, he was sitting up and ready to work. I asked him if he had done any beading in recent years. He said, "Not since I was a kid." With the first necklace, he let me do the layout of the beads and he threaded them onto the string. By the second piece, he was in the driver's seat. He did the entire layout, with impressive attention to symmetry. We chatted a little bit and at other moments it was quiet. He mentioned at 2 different points that he was in excruciating back pain - but he never winced or groaned. He said it very matter-of-factly and then went back to the business at hand. For his third piece, he made himself a keychain.

By this point, we had been working together for well over an hour. A connection had been formed. He said to me, "Did you think I would say no?" Meaning - did I think he'd reject the opportunity to make art? I kind of chuckled. I said to him, "In the 4 1/2 years I have been doing this job with CHAP, I've learned to not make assumptions. You can't judge a book by its cover." I see this over & over again. The most rugged-looking cowboy from central Oregon will sit in the hospital and make beautiful beaded bracelets for his wife back at home. It's always a pleasure to see. I've stopped being surprised.

There was one person in his life he still wanted to make something for - his aunt. Well, not technically his aunt, but rather a close family friend. She had been helping out with his hospitalization. She seemed an important player in his care-giving. I said, "Of course, you can make something for her. It sounds like she has been a great support to you." This woman recently had to return home, which was out-of-state. He said he would send it to her. He decided on red and clear crystal beads for his aunt and we put her name on it, too. He said that she was a source of steadiness, whereas his own mother was still reeling from the diagnosis. The aunt was both comfortable in the hospital setting and in her role advocating for him. She was calm and ready to do what needed to be done. She had that "one day at a time" attitude that CHAP hears so much about at the hospital. He appreciated this. He was clearly grateful to be buoyed up by his honorary aunt.

Towards the end of my shift, I went back to the patient's room to see if he had finished his final piece. Guess who was in the room? His mom and his sister - and they greeted me wearing their new necklaces. They were cheerful and delighted to receive their gifts. The mom was interested to hear about our AYA Bedside Art program. The patient was quiet now that his family was there. But I know he enjoyed it. I know he was glad he had said - 'Yes'.

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