Medical equipment like oxygen masks, feeding tubes and crutches, used to conjure up memories of pain and suffering for her.
Miss Alvina Neo, 23, has a chronic spinal condition that limits her ability to move around.
However, under the guidance of a team of medical social workers from the National University Hospital (NUH), she and other patients with chronic illnesses turned these items into art pieces, reported The Straits Times.
“Making art out of the items is a therapeutic process. It is a platform for them to share their inner world and emotions for which words fail to convey,” said Ms Tang Kar Wai, medical social worker at the NUH.
The art pieces will be displayed at the Goodman Arts Centre from July 27.
This project is one of 16 that have received funding from a new $180,000 grant given by the National Youth Council (NYC) to encourage youths to give back to society.
The grant was announced by the NYC at a media conference on Wednesday for this year’s Shine Youth Festival. (www.shine.nyc.sg).
In its eighth year, the month-long festival is an avenue for young people to showcase their talent.
This year’s edition takes an extra step to include projects that benefit the community.
“We want to get the youths to have fun and dream big, but with a purpose and channel all the youth energy that we have towards societal needs,” said steering committee chairman Martin Tan.
This article was first published in The New Paper.