Let’s Talk Murals In DC

Please join us to discuss “Capital Colors”

Saturday, Sept. 14
Site: Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC

Time: 3:00-5:00 pm

DC muralists step up to offer interpretation and insight on a panel discussing public art in upper northwest Washington. Presentations showcase diverse styles and themes in a basket of color stretching from Dupont Circle (ToyTheater, Peter Waddel, 2012) 

up Connecticut Avenue (73 Cents, Regina Holliday, 2009) 

to Takoma Park (From a Model to a Rainbow, Sam Gilliam and Steve Frietch , 2011). 

Caitlin Carroll previews her documentary film on the murals of DC.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

In 1997 Perry Frank, Ph.D., initiated a project to document and showcase the outdoor murals created throughout the city beginning in the early 1970s. With a team of associates and advisors, she has photographed the murals; conducted oral histories of the artists and sponsors; authored text explaining the art; led mural tours; and organized public programs. In 2010 she created a mural website, which currently displays 35 of the city’s greatest pieces (www.dcmurals.info). Dr. Frank is president of her own small business, American Dreams & Associates, Inc. The project is partially funded by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, and the DC Commission on the Arts and the Humanities.    

Speaking in Kansas City Sept 12-13, 2013

I am very exited to tell you I will be speaking in Kansas City on September 12-13 at The University of Kansas Medical Center.  This event is sponsored by the Center for Interprofessional Education.  I met the KU interprofessional team at the Collaborating Across Borders event in Vancouver, Canada this past June.  They were intrigued by my message of patient communication and were surprised how of my work much stems from family experiences in the Kansas City area and The University of Kansas.

My Keynote speech is "The Eye of the Storm" and I will speak twice on Septemeber 12^th.  The title of my speech references the happy years my late husband Fred Holliday spent in Kansas as he pursued his doctorate degree and the years I spent managing the Art Dept. at the Jayhawk Bookstore in Lawrence Kansas.  It was a lovely time compared to the maelstrom circling around us.  We had no idea the challenges we would soon face in the world of healthcare and patient data access.

You can register here to attend the speech at noon-1:00 and here to attend the speech at 3:30-5:00 on the 12 ^th.  

I also will be hosting a social media workshop entitled "When Art Is No Longer Just a Pretty Picture" on the 13^th  at noon-1:00 and you can register here and will also be live-painting onsite in the mornings. 

I hope to see you there!  

Lean Into the Sorrow

Lean into the Sorrow

Last fall I was reading Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In” on a plane.  I looked around my aisle at seats filled with business travelers and the majority of them were men.  As I read Sheryl’s thoughts on the fields dominated by men in positions of authority, I knew there was a field dominated by women: care giving.

Over 80% of caregivers are women.  We are wives, mothers, daughters and friends caring for our loved ones.  We are the great silent majority that keeps healthcare on track, even if that track is worse for wear. Sheryl reminds the reader that to get ahead we will have to lean in.  And we do.  We lean into the nurses station demanding medication be delivered, as it is already late.  We lean into the embrace that lifts a body from a bed into a wheelchair.  We lean into the wall when the tears become sobs as arms empty of their task.

We lean into sorrow. 

I was very inspired by Ms. Sandberg’s book.  Though I must admit quite a bit of that inspiration was attained through indignation.  Her description of a working mother’s professional life supported by a successful spouse with paid staff to care for the children is not the reality most women face.  We make many choices in this world and one of them is to love others greater than ourselves.  That is the role of the caregiver. 

The caregiver spends so much of his or her life wrapped deeply around the life of another.  When the object of that deep love and care is gone, life can seem so dark; yet we must go on.  It is a very hard thing to let go of the life you lost and row away.

I took my frustration and turned it into a song: "Lean In."  I wrote the lyric and melody, and my friends Ross Martin, Marsha Goodman-Wood and Jeff Jensen would arrange the music, sing and master the final recording.  They are amazing musicians and caregivers as well.  Here you can see art depicting caregivers as well as a recording of the song.  The sound quality is a little rough and you can hear some automobile-like noise in the background, but I like it as that reminds me of painting 73 Cents on Connecticut Ave in DC.  The video is a bit shaky at times, but so am I.

“Lean In”

The captain of my ship is sinking
Won’t make it to the dawn.
The captain of my ship is sinking
And yet I travel on.

I swore an oath to take this journey.
I said I’d serve but not obey.
The captain of my ship is sinking.
And yet I row away.

Lean in, Lean in.

I lean into the sorrow.
I lean into the pain.
I lean into tomorrow 
Life will never be the same.

We are your wives and mothers,
We are the shelter in the storm.
We were there while you were dying;
We were there when you were born.

Lean in, Lean in.

We lean into the sorrow.
We lean into the pain.
We lean into tomorrow 
Life will never be the same

Our mission acts as ballast
The children are our stays
We sail into the morning
As we row against the waves.

Lean in, Lean in.

I lean into the sorrow.
I lean into the pain.
I lean into tomorrow 
Life will never be the same.

Lean in, Lean in.

We lean into the sorrow.
We lean into the pain.
We lean into tomorrow 
Life will never be the same.

Youth for Understanding needs “Welcome families!”

When I fly, and I fly often, I usually read a book or work on my writing.  But on my flight to Iowa, I met Pamela Van de Walle of Silver Spring, MD who works for an international exchange student organization named Youth for Understanding USA.  We spoke a great deal about her life and I hope to write more about her in a future post.  (I am sure she will join the Walking Gallery one day!) 

I am writing about her mission here because one of you who read this post may be able to help. If you have a spare room and the willingness to host an international student on a long or short-term basis please contact Youth for Understanding USA ASAP.  Or if you are unable maybe you know someone who can help!  I cannot host due to my frequent travel schedule, but I offered to help spread the word.  Please help these children find homes before it is too late for them to be placed.

Pamela told me about the dire need of her organization to place 80 students in the coming days with host families. Dead line for families to apply is Sept 3rd! 

You can help!!!

According to Pamela:

“Each year, Youth for Understanding USA (YFU) - one of the world’s oldest, largest and most respected intercultural exchange organizations - sponsors 500 American teens to study abroad, and welcomes 2000 international teenagers to the U.S. to participate in intercultural exchange. This is their last week to invite families to apply to welcome one of these carefully selected foreign exchange students for the fall semester. The benefits of hosting a YFU student are as numerous and varied as the families who embrace this life-altering experience.

Would you consider hosting or serving as a welcome family for one of these students? The deadline is September 3 (Yes, Labor Day!)  to have an arrival host family and school enrollment for each student.

This week, we are accepting applications for Welcome Families.  Welcome Families host 6-12 weeks, helping the students enroll in classes, get engaged in after school activities, and culturally acclimate while YFU screens and prepares their permanent host family.  It is a great way to share some uniquely American traditions, like football season, Halloween, backyard barbeques, and visits to grandma and grandpa - everyday ordinary activities are new and exciting to our students! At YFU, our host families come in all shapes and sizes.

 By opening your home and heart to a student from overseas, you and your family will gain a new global perspective, many memories, and - quite possibly - a new family member for life!

Interested or know someone who’d make a great host family? Apply at http://yfuusa.org/host-a-student/apply-now.php or call 800.872.0200 to speak directly with your local field director.

With your support, we hope to further our mission of advancing intercultural understanding, mutual respect and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families and communities."

Resources:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YFU.USA.Fan

Erin Helland
National Marketing Director
Marketing, Communications & Development
Youth For Understanding USA
Telephone: 240.235.2102 x5701
Toll Free: 800.424.3691
 Fax: 240.235.2104

Website: www.yfu-usa.org<http://www.yfu-usa.org>

Pamela Van de Walle
Director of Human Resources
Human Resources
Youth For Understanding USA
Telephone: 240.235.2392
Toll Free: 800.424.3691
Fax: 240.235.2198
Website: www.yfu-usa.org<http://www.yfu-usa.org>

Margie Eulner Ott
Director, U.S. Programs
US Programs
Youth For Understanding USA
Telephone: 240.235.2173
Toll Free: 800.424.3691
Fax: 240.235.2104
Website: www.yfu-usa.org<http://www.yfu-usa.org> 

The Landscape of a Life

This weekend I painted Donna Cryer’s jacket in a park filled with children.  I was running a booth at a local fair and representing Christ Lutheran Church, my art and the wonder of playing with Legos.  Our booth was a very different type of booth from the others in the park.  Most booths were operated by local organizations as fundraisers.  The Lions made popcorn, the Cub Scouts made French fries, and so on.   Each booth team was working so very hard on fundraising that they had little time to explain their mission or talk to potential new members.  When I registered our booth as a non-profit, I was quickly asked, “What are you selling as your fundraiser?”  I responded, ”Oh, we aren’t focused on fundraising, we just want to let the kids to be able to play a free game and learn about activities at Church.”  

Yep, we were rather odd.

 

I explained Donna’s story to many children as I taught them how to build structurally sound Lego towers.  The children looked at the jacket, which appeared to be a landscape and looked at a picture of the human liver that I was referencing while painting.  “Why the liver?” they asked.  I explained I was painting the life story of Donna Cryer and she had a liver transplant 20 years ago and that experience has affected her entire life path.

This is Donna’s jacket: “The Landscape of a Life.”

I saw Donna Cryer at health events in DC for the past 4 years.  Her husband and business partner Dennis Cryer, MD often accompanied her to such events.  They seemed to dance within the crowd, gentling circling the conversations and always returning to each other.  They represent CryerHealth a consultancy with a mission to improve communication of doctors and patients.

You cannot help but notice Donna in a room.  She is beautiful.  Her face shines with warmth and her eyes sparkle with intellect.  She always wears the most becoming dresses and suits.  She looks the consummate healthy professional.  You would never know how much Donna has suffered in her life.

Donna is a 20-year liver transplant survivor with activeCrohn’s disease.  She is well aware if the challenge of chronic disease management.  She has coupled this intimate health experience with a law degree and is an amazing advocate for other patients. 

Within this painting I represent her love of the law with a scales of justice that doubles as a children’s toy.  The weights and measures trays are replaced with tire swings and happy children. 

Donna as a child drives by in a sporty red pedal car with a vanity plate: ”LIVRLDY.” She likes to drive health care discussions and often does it through her own determination. 

As I explained the wonder that is Donna, I was showing a crowd of girls how to build their Lego towers.  These young ladies had never had much exposure to building technique.  Many of the girls just kept stacking block upon block and would watch their towers fall as the game began.  I asked the crowd, “Do you know about bricking?  Here, place this brick on top of the two other bricks at a point of connection.  See how strong your wall is when you build it this way?”  The girls smiled up at me and quickly built much stronger walls and towers.

Bricking is a great metaphor for the work Donna does. She connects people and organizations helping them build strong foundations in patient advocacy.  She helps them on a personal level, and much like our little booth in the park, Donna well knows sometimes you must focus on education and advocacy over fundraising.

I salute you Donna for your bravery, perseverance and dedication to helping patients throughout the landscape of care.   

Lab Power

I love Google image search.  I must admit when I research someone I begin with pictures.  Pictures can tell you so much about a person.  I thoroughly enjoyed researching Lisa Donnarumma as the picture that I saw again and again was of a dog.  A particular type of dog seems to be associated with Lisa.  Lisa likes labs.  She enjoys their spirit and exuberance.  They are not very good at sitting still and have a little trouble doing exactly what they are told (like many e-patients).  

Lisa loved her own lab Caya and wanted the world to see her smart special friend.  She enrolled Caya in an agility trial with the New England Community of Canine Agility in 2008.  As they waited Lisa realized Caya might be the only lab in a sea of Border Collies.  As Caya barked within a crowd of obedient dogs, Lisa wondered if they could quietly slip away.  At that moment their names were called. 

With great trepidation Lisa walked Caya toward the course as the crowd of hundreds watched their progress.  Four times Lisa said Caya’s release word “Okay,” yet Caya did not move. The tittering crowd was filling with outright laughter. Lisa felt like she was going to faint.  At that moment a voice rang out saying “Lab Power!” Lisa was so glad someone understood!  She said to Caya “Simon Says OKaaayyyy!”  Caya quickly completed the course and they walked right over to the man yelling “Lab Power!”

And so this painting has a name:"Lab Power."

That yelling man was Rich Dennison.  Lisa soon met his beautiful yellow Labrador Gabby.  Rich and Lisa became friends.  Rich was one of those beautiful people.  He was positive and supportive to Lisa and Caya, new to this course; but he shouted his support of the other teams.  He always had a good word for his dogs regardless of how well they completed the course.

Lisa always looked forward to spending time with Rich on the weekends.  Her weekday world focusing on healthcare policy would find respite in these breaks spent with such an unfaltering positive person.  So that was the life of Lisa and her friend Rich until three years ago.

Rich came to a meet looking very sad.  He had just found out he had pancreatic cancer.  He was sad because he might have to stop participating in agility trials.  Rich’s friends surrounded him with hugs and tears.  Lisa, who worked in healthcare, was well aware that pancreatic cancer is often called a “kill cancer.”  She knew Rich could leave them within mere weeks.

But to the surprise of many Rich rallied!  He enrolled in several clinical trials whist running agility courses and undergoing treatment.  Rich credited his extended life in part to his work with the dogs.  His positivity coupled with treatment seemed to beating the odds.  His novel approach at fighting cancer succeeded for three years.

In March 2013, Rich could no longer participate in clinical trials.  He was failing rapidly.  He looked frail and sad.  He wanted his dog Gabby to get a chance to compete and finish her lifetime achievement award.  Rich’s friends stepped forward and ran Gabby in his stead.

Then the entire New England Agility Community step forward to help.  They created purple bracelets to wear in support of those living with pancreatic cancer.  Lisa bought two one for herself and one for Captain Jack her young black lab.  They wear those bands within this painting.  Rich was so honored and he continued to attend and watch his dogs run until summer 2013.  Then Rich’s family informed the agility community that Rich had entered hospice.  He would not be coming back. 

That is when the New England Agility Community created the “The Spirit of Agility Award” in honor of Rich Dennison.  The money raised by the sale of the purple bracelets will fund this award and support cancer research. The first of what will be an annual award was presented to Rich Dennison at the New England Agility Team trial meet on May 18^th, 2013.

On June 2, 2013 Rich died.

Some have said he lost his battle cancer.  I say that statement is wrong. 

I painted Lisa’s jacket depicting the trials of Rich Dennison.  I painted him with his beloved lab Gabby upon a hill of medicine.  I painted Captain Jack racing through weave poles that are test tubes in a lab.  You see Rich was one of those wonderful people who dedicated the end of his life to research of a terminal disease.  He went through trial after agonizing trial.  These trials had their u-turns, their ups and downs and time was of the essence.  All the while he worked with his dogs and no matter how they did he praised the result with a smile and said “Awesome job!” 

No, Rich did not lose a battle.  He finished his course and has been called home.  We are left to say, “Awesome job, Rich, awesome job.” 

Return Flight

When I paint about members of the Walking Gallery, I learn such amazing things.  I see blog posts written before twitter was even born.  I read books that describe tragedy and learn about rare and often fatal medical conditions.  I delve into Facebook pictures and twitter comments of yesteryear.  All this I do, in an attempt to walk within the story so I can depict the soul.

My challenge in creation is the quiet ones, the modest ones.  The one that only exist as a mention in a pdf or a chair in a committee, their deeper story is as hard to find as Hansel’s fateful crumbs.

This is the jacket painting of Karin Jay.  It is entitled “Return Flight.” 

In this painting, Karin stands as a girl throwing paper airplanes in the air.   These airplanes are the colors and shapes of The Joint Commission logo where Karin worked for 23 years.   They circle around a Planetree.  This is the tree under which Hippocrates would lecture and is the symbol of the organization for which she currently works.   

Upon the paper airplanes ride patients.  The patient in her hand is a new mother and receives help from the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.  The patients to her right are her parents who have survived cancer and heart disease and her best friend who survived cancer as well.

Karin knows each day the work she does helps patients just like her friends and family.  Karin taught me quite a bit in researching her life.  Although she is not yet using Facebook and twitter, Karen does have a profile on LinkedIn.  So to reach out to folks like Karin who are rather quiet in the world of social media, I built a LinkedIn group entitled The Walking Gallery of Healthcare.

I hope to see you there to welcome Karin into the family.