Workshop Feedback
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This art piece was created by one member of the Colorado Head Injury Support Group, Denver Chapter. The composition directly portrays one man's experience of life after sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Dave's life story pertains to so many, feeling one doesn't fit into any group within the community. He is represented by the blue puzzle piece in the upper left hand corner. This piece fits in the larger puzzle (where a space is empty), yet he rests outside, alone and isolated. Dave is only one of thousands who feel this way. I appreciate his ability to share his truth with me, to put it into works and images creating profound meaning for all of humanity. A poem, written in 1983 covers the background titled "ACCEPT IT". Dave is an amazing person! He has lived over half his life with the effects of TBI. Beyond all of his deficits, he is a person, just like anyone else.
Dave spends a lot of his days piecing together puzzles, thus the title. Although he has worked with children who were ill and sick with homeless parents, and he can really relate to people with disability as he has been TBI for 25 years, he feels he is hurting the cause of disabled people. He wants to be a peer counselor for people with disability. He is a quiet man, which makes him feel strong inside, yet he feels that if one looks inside oneself, one cannot see the problems of others. He experiences stages throughout his days: quietness, depression, aloneness, isolation and acceptance. He feels positive and O.K with himself, yet he feels different than others. Thanks to his friend Eric, he has been attending the Denver Support Group Meetings for a year. Writing in a journal helps him to remember, but more importantly it helps him to get his feelings out. His mother supported him a lot in his recovery. His sister is an occupational therapist and supports him now. Although he feels selfish, he cares for himself well. He remembers his life before; journal writer and library work, and after; passing through denial into acceptance. Dave lives in a supportive apartment building in Denver; he has a girlfriend with M.S. and is frustrated that he cannot provide for her.
The Growing Through It art workshop has been involved with the Denver Support Group for the past seven months. There was always this inability for people from Aurora to attend the first two workshops. I didn't understand Aurora, it seemed like Texas to me. I decided this May to make the effort and offer a workshop in Aurora (If the people cannot come to me, then I will go to them was my way of solving that problem). Seven people were interested, a great workshop we will have in Aurora was my thought. Well, as life happens as it does, all but two canceled up to three days prior to the workshop. Two is good enough! On the first day, person number two got some real paying work, so she couldn't join. Looks like that leaves Dave and I.
A great opportunity to experience the workshop one on one. It was a great, profound experiences - for each of us!
Unfortunately, we do not have access to David's writings right now. Please check back in a few months to read them. Thanks, GTI