The power of #stjude art
Former St. Jude patient Tayde is turning to the same therapy she turned to as a kid – art and optimism. This time, powered by technology, she’s sharing her therapy with others.
Tayde remembers the feelings of isolation, and everything she wasn’t allowed to do, because of a compromised immune system while being treated for leukemia at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Those feelings have returned in the time of the coronavirus. And Tayde is turning to the same therapy she turned to as a kid – art and optimism.
This time, powered by technology, she’s sharing her therapy with others. “Paint with Tayde” streamed via Facebook Live to dozens of friends and St. Jude families for an hour and 20 minutes Thursday afternoon.
Before she began to create, Tayde shared her story of coming to St. Jude from Mexico at age 7 for treatment. She relapsed twice, ultimately completing treatment at 16. Today, she works for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.
Her overall message on the stream was to focus on the positive and have a good time.
“I think art is a great, therapeutic way to be happy,” Tayde said.
After a short mediation to “focus on the positive so we can attract good, positive vibes,” it was time for the art.
On construction paper, she sketched an outline of an egg with colored pencil then painted it with watercolors made from dipping markers in water. She prefers painting construction paper eggs to real eggs during the Easter season because they’re easier to work with, she says. While those dried, Tayde sketched and painted two little dancing chickens.
“Let’s give each other grace in these times,” she said. “It’s my very first video, so I’m a little nervous, but you guys make me happy.”
She asked her viewers to share their art with the tag #stjude so we all can remember the patients who are being treated right now at St. Jude.
“We’re going to make the best out of this situation.”
And that paints a beautiful picture.
