Dear Sheena’s Community,
Here is a message from Hellen Huang. We invite you to check out her videos using the links at the end of this post:
Listen closely and you will be able to hear the origami cranes sing. Twelve mellifluous arpeggios echoing against the walls majestic ocean waves pounding against the sandy shore. Their plumages extend as they soar toward the ceiling of the therapy room, mimicking marathoners taking off in consecutive heats. The origami cranes symbolize hope, audacity, and compassion.
Amidst a devastating viral pandemic, we seek love, jollity, and motivation. The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has shadowed the globe with layers of sorrow and despair. As result, the pandemic sparked unprecedented efforts to implement practices of social distancing and self-isolation. While these measures are crucial to mitigate the spread of this disease, they will undoubtedly cast negative impacts on youths’ and patients’ psychological and mental well-beings in both the short and long term. Nevertheless, we are in this together; we shall amalgamate our love through pinches of origami pixie dusts.
Eating disorders are perplexing and multidimensional like mystical Rubik’s cubes. They are like unresolved crimes, incomplete puzzles, and formidable nightmares. Part of the difficulty of recovery is the heterogeneous illness trajectories and the vulnerability of becoming trapped in an enduring maze of perfectionism and self-control. The core nature of eating disorder revolves around a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of confidence. Although the journey to recovery can be long and daunting, it is not unattainable. One effective intervention is art therapy. I believe art has healing and motivational powers. Artistic expression, whether in the form of sketching, painting, origami, or knitting, relaxes the mind, helps emotion recognition, and stimulates sentimental catharsis. It not only promotes positivity, but also boosts self-esteem and self-efficacy. As a Toronto General Hospital volunteer, I hope to support the ED patients in Toronto during this difficult time. The project is called “Heal-IN-g Mind.” By sharing origami tutorial videos weekly on YouTube, I hope to ignite the inner creativity and create an atmosphere of joy and inspiration among ED patients.
Take care, and be sure to nourish your body, mind, and spirit,
Your moderator, Kira