We want to thank everyone for attending our Brain Awareness Event on Saturday, June 19! We had such a good time learning about Multiple Sclerosis, strokes and brain conditions’ impact on art.
We also thank our Guest Speakers Farah Hannah Hall, Lindsey J. Holcomb and Leneia Cruz for educating our audience and sharing their experiences with us.
Check out the event on Youtube, subscribe and share! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmrvScmhfgg
We started the event by explaining why Brain Awareness and Alzheimer’s was important to recognize. My grandmother, along with Farah’s, Rawan’s and Lindsey’s grandmother, had a longtime battle with Alzheimer’s. I wish there was a well known cure for Alzheimer’s so that my grandma could remember her last years with us. I only hope science will catch up and beat Alzheimer’s one day.
We painted Rawan’s brain template with purple, to recognize awareness and Alzheimers. Art Spread supporter Alicia Gonzalez drew her own rendition of the brain, using different shades of purple.
Rawan spoke about Dutch-American abstract expressionist, William De Kooning, who painted while experiencing Alzheimers in his later years. To this day, it is debated whether his Alzheimer’s or something else influenced his style during the late 1970’s through late 1980’s. De Kooning often drank, making people believe that perhaps it was the consequences of driving heavily that led to his late pieces.
Mother, wife, caregiver, college graduate and businesswoman, Farah Hanna Hall, shared about her diagnosis with MS in 2016. She suddenly felt numbness, tingling, and lack of mobility on her left side.
Farah shared about poor treatment at one hospital, compared to La Jolla Scripps, where treatment allowed her to actively progress. During her pregnancy, MS symptoms and flare ups never occurred. Her body protected her from symptoms to allow her a successful labor. We were so lucky to see her baby boy on her lap while she presented!
Internationally known artist, Lindsey J. Holcomb took the floor after Farah’s talk. She was only an artist by hobby before she was diagnosed with MS. After her diagnosis, to deal with pain and emotional toll, she painted her brain MRI scan.
From that point, she connected with people she did not know who had MS. She asked if she could paint their brain MRI scans and her project took off from there. Learn more about The Colors of MS and support Lindsey through her art!
Last, registered nurse Leneia Cruz spoke about her treatment of patients who experienced strokes. She gave us an easy acronym to remember to help stroke victims:
B – Balance: Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
E – Eyes: Is the person having a sudden change in vision or trouble seeing
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T – Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
We want to thank you for attending and supporting! Read about my brain power tips here and subscribe to attend our next event.
Getting to know more of Lindsey and Farah’s experience with MS at the Brain Awareness Event was truly inspiring. Farah is just about one of the strongest women I know. I’m so glad The Art Spread gave her a platform to share her story.
Lindsey’s connection between art and her grandmother through the use of thread is so touching! I loved hearing about how her grandmother as well as the MS community influence her gorgeous ink paintings.
A major thanks to Leneia for sharing her BEFAST too with us! It’s an easy way to recognize symptoms of a stroke and possibly help save the life of a friend/neighbor/family member.
Such an incredibly and informative event! Can’t wait for the next one!