The Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center guides patients through their artistic side as a way for them to not only cope physically but also emotionally.
"We express our emotions, our journey, and the impact our injury had on our lives," said artist Issela Jorquera.
During the pandemic, Jorquera suffered a spinal injury from a car accident. Her entire trajectory changed in a matter of seconds. She is now using a wheelchair, and she has turned to expressing her pain through creativity.
"The person that I am right now has nothing to do with the person I was back then when my injury happened," she said.
Another patient, Khin Paing, who was diagnosed with polio when she was only one year old, utilizes the center's art program as a way to keep her momentum in life.
"I used to have limitations about my life," said Paing. "I feel like more more encouraged and inspired. They can do it; I can do it too."
Rancho Los Amigos' program offers patients renewed hope and awakens new talents that many didn't know they had.
"It's just pure joy," said the CEO of Rancho Los Amigos. "It's wonderful to be able to share it with others and share it with the community."
For many of the patients, this is more than just an extracurricular activity it's a chance to have community and admire each other's accomplishments.
"Now I'm able to get up from bed and transfer from my wheelchair; that little thing right there, is a lot," Jorquera expressed.