Growth (Art)
This is shared as a personal creative work. Poetry and artwork communicate lived experiences in unique ways, and each piece reflects the individual voice and perspective of its creator.
Growth
I created this piece early on in my recovery journey. I was feeling alone and discouraged about my lack of progress. During that time a friend brought me some flowers. The encouragement she gave me along with the flowers meant so much to me. The florals in the painting represent growth amidst hardship. In order for a flower to grow, the seed has to die. I resonate with that concept because it feels like a part of me did die when my TBI & stoke happened. Yet, from those hard experiences growth and beauty can be found. The florals are all different because as survivors we all have our own unique story. We are all in our own unique place of healing, but when we come together- it is beautiful.
Written by: Emily Fowler
Person living with a brain injury
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I am a TBI and stroke survivor. I live with my parents and service dog in North Alabama. Before my TBI in 2021, I was an elementary school teacher with advanced training to help students with learning disabilities. Like others in the TBI community, I grieved the loss of the life I had prior to my TBI. Through my grief, I learned to express myself through art. I have also utilized art as an avenue to communicate encouragement & hope to others. My hand has re-learned how to function several times since my TBI. The credit and glory for anything I create goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Creativity brings hope to life.
In 2025, we invited those living with a brain injury from our community to share their artwork for the first-ever Hope Survives Greeting Card Collection. This piece is part of the featured gallery which highlights the artists whose work was selected for our printed cards, available as part of this fundraiser.
Click here to see our current gallery.
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