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Hospital Program Eases Pain Through Art

Molly Solomon
Molly Solomon

The idea of art therapy is not a new concept. One local program has been around for more than two decades, helping 300 new patients this year alone. It’s proving so effective, that even after they finish their treatment, former patients still come back for the art. HPR’s Molly Solomon reports.

On a recent afternoon, half a dozen people gather on the ground floor lanai at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. They’re a mix of current and former patients. "A lot of them have never painted before," said art teacher Reuben Young, as he sets up easels and blank canvases in a row along the picnic tables outside. "Some of them have maybe done art during grade school. And that's about it."

Molly Solomon
Credit Molly Solomon

Young has been teaching classes at the hospital’s creative arts program for the past 14 years. He says it’s powerful to watch people find an outlet for creative expression. "They really enjoy it because they've found that its relaxing for them," said Young. "They come back and they want do more and eventually they get really good."

But for many here, drawing and painting are challenges. The majority of patients have long term physical therapy needs: people who have suffered trauma from an accident or are recovering from a stroke. That’s what brought Judy Nolan here.

"This is supposed to be a nativity scene, it's a little crude," said Nolan as she describes her painting. She's one of many former patients who still stop by for the free art classes, offered 4 days a week. Her right hand shakes as she picks up her paintbrush to mix her colors. "I had a stroke about 4 years ago. It's been a little tough recovering."

Nolan’s stroke left her with limited movement on the left side of her body. She’s found painting and drawing helps. "It helped with my concentration, the hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills," said Nolan. "Also just being social, being around people that are in the same kind of situation."

Molly Solomon
Credit Molly Solomon
Former patient Pearl Iwaida suffered several broken bones after a head on car crash 8 years ago. Iwaida has been painting ever since and still comes back for the art classes at the rehabilitation hospital once a week.

"We try and hide the therapy or make it fun," said Rochelle Brace, the hospital’s Senior Recreational Therapist. "So you don't feel like you're doing the work." Brace says there’s a movement to bring more art curriculum into hospitals. And here at this program, it's growing. Last year they added a multimedia art class for former patients, like Pearl Iwaida who suffered a head on car crash 8 years ago. She says art has been a consistent companion in her months and years of physical therapy. "It takes your mind off of here," said Iwaida, pointing to her left leg which had broken in three parts. "When you'e doing all this therapy, it's hard and it's painful. But you can forget about it down in art."

And she’s not alone. Art has helped introduce her to a new community. "The people who I painted with, we all had been through some traumatic experience," said Iwaida. "We could relate to one another in that way." Walking through the hospital, many of the hallways now display artwork from people like Iwaida, who proudly refers to herself as an artist, no longer a patient.

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Molly Solomon
Molly Solomon joined HPR in May 2012 as an intern for the morning talk show The Conversation. She has since worn a variety of hats around the station, doing everything from board operator to producer.
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