Uncommon Grounds

When Dacota saw her MRI and the “big black hole” where part of her brain used to be, her jaw dropped. She had just suffered a bilateral hemorrhagic occipital stroke. Recovering at home with reduced vision and comprehension difficulties, she knew right away that life would be different. Having worked in physical therapy, a most useful idea sparked — why not try to paint as a form of therapy? She had always been artistically inclined but had never tried painting. Starting over with a disability, Dacota feels that the practice of painting has put her in touch with her true self and feelings. She can express herself without using words. Dacota finds “the gift of creativity” to be a valuable gift received from her stroke, and she challenges herself with every painting she creates.