Evi works at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. She became interested in becoming a Child Life Specialist when she volunteered for Art with Heart at Children’s Hospital several years ago. She had nannied for many years and found her volunteer time through Art with Heart to be a great way to combine her passion for children with her passion for creativity.

Evi brought Art with Heart’s “Art Buddy” program to Swedish when she was hired and has been working with volunteers to bring creativity to children in the hospital.

She relates the story of an 18-year-old girl with Friedrich’s Ataxia that she gave the Chill & Spill journal to, in order to help her cope with the effects of the disease. Although the patient had difficulty writing her name, speaking clearly and even sitting up, she was able to paint.

Inspired by Chill & Spill’s “Safe Place” activity, she painted a fall scene and wrote a poem about where she felt the safest. Later when she felt overwhelmed by the progressive nature of her disease, she had visual mementos of her “safe place” to keep with her and use that as a tool to help her release her anxiety.

Evi is excited to have more Art with Heart volunteers. Evi wants to remind everyone, though that “you don’t have to be an artist yourself to facilitate creative expression.”