GLENROSE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | 27 wasn’t always the rehabilitation itself. It was figuring out how her brain injury fit into the real world — finding her way through social situations that had become more difficult to navigate, learning how to express what she was experiencing when she couldn’t always find the words, and recognizing that others didn’t always understand the vulnerability that came with her injury. Learning to recognize those situations and advocate for herself became another part of her recovery. Art, which had been part of Skarra’s life long before her injury, gradually became part of that process. People had even encouraged her to pursue it professionally, but after the accident, rebuilding her brain took priority. Four years into her recovery, she taught herself to paint. It was a reminder of who she had been, but also, who she hoped to become. It wasn’t until this past year, however, that Skarra began to recognize a deeper connection between creating and caring for her body. “It was only recently that I realized that my approach to art is much like my approach to recovery,” she says. While early in her recovery, she believed strength meant pushing through every obstacle, often at the expense of her own well-being, today, she sees it differently. It means listening to her body, giving herself grace, and recognizing that rest is not a setback, it’s part of healing. Rather than measuring success by how hard she can push, she measures it by her ability to keep moving forward. Her approach to art reflects that same philosophy. Like a puzzle, she creates one piece at a time, trusting that with patience, the bigger picture will gradually come together. She describes her work as abstract with a bit of realism from time to time, but for her, every piece also represents resilience. “I have begun working on more statement pieces,” she shares. “These pieces are intended to express the afflictions and struggles I have endured in hope of inspiring others going through a similar experience.” Her latest charcoal drawing, I Am Strong, is a personal reflection on her rehabilitation journey at the Glenrose. “A man in a wheelchair at the centre of the composition is holding the world above his head,” says Skarra. “Beneath him, a crowd of people work together to lift and support him. In the background, Superman is shown lifting the world in the same pose, creating a powerful visual parallel.” Through black-and-white contrasts, the piece reflects the compassion, encouragement, and community that helped carry her through moments that once felt impossible. “With the right support, we can all find the strength to lift worlds, just like Superman.” Today, Skarra hopes her artwork gives others what it gave her: a way to express the things that sometimes words cannot. She also hopes it inspires people facing similar journeys, while encouraging others to look beyond what’s visible. “People only see the finished piece,” she says. “They don’t always see everything it took to get there.” She believes the same is true for people. We all have journeys and challenges that others can’t always see. Like each of her pieces, every person carries a story. “A little more curiosity, kindness, and understanding can make a bigger difference than we realize,” she says. Speaking about her creative process, “I’ve learned to trust the process, keep creating, and let the piece reveal itself one step at a time.” She may be speaking to art, but the sentiment is equally true of rehabilitation. It sometimes unfolds slowly, but with patience and perseverance, progress is possible.
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