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Profile of an artist: Susan FinkSusan Fink, artist and former Sister Kenny Rehabilitative Institute patient, shares her story and describes her painting style. "The Sister Kenny Art Show and Sister Kenny Rehabilitative Institute are close to my heart. My association with Sister Kenny began 10 years ago when I arrived at its front entrance strapped to a stretcher, able to move my arms a little, but paralyzed below the chest, only able to move the big toe on my right foot. 
A week earlier I broke my neck and injured my spinal cord at c3 c4 after falling while cross-country skiing in northern Wisconsin. As I lay in the snow waiting for my husband to ski out and get help I said a little prayer promising to work my hardest if I could live to see my daughters again. I was rescued by snowmobile and then airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth where a great surgeon operated on me. Fortunately, the injury to my spinal cord was incomplete." Getting back on my feet"After a week in intensive care, I transferred to Sister Kenny at Abbott Northwestern Hospital to begin rehab. I lived on Station 23 for 10 weeks. I had to re-learn the basics, such as how to sit up, lift my arms and get food to my mouth. One doctor said it was like running a marathon every day. Every day my body was totally spent. My doctors, nurses and therapists pushed me to get my body working again, and equally important taught me how to be my own best advocate and erase "can't" from my vocabulary. Assistants, volunteers and other patients also gave me support getting through tough spots. For example, I decided early on to make my goal be complete recovery, but at one point, I wondered if that was wise. That day Jim, a volunteer escort, told me he had been a patient paralyzed from the neck down when he first came to Sister Kenny. I asked him if he thought it was better to be realistic or shoot for complete recovery. He said, 'You have to set your goal at 100 percent or your body will settle for less.' Sister Kenny is an amazing place filled with amazing staff and volunteers. Positive energy runs through it and I received the benefits from it." Becoming an artist"My first attempt at watercolor as an adult was during my stay at Sister Kenny. I had determined back in junior high that I had no artistic ability. I was working with Susan, a recreational therapist, who wanted me to try making something. In order to paint she hooked my hand up with a brush holder because I did not yet have a grip. It was exhausting work just getting the paint on the brush and then to the paper and it took two sessions to complete. I painted three small hearts; one for my husband David and one each for my daughters Mara and Kaia, who were ages 10 and 8 at that time. Definitely the hardest thing I have ever painted, but worth the effort. For about five years, I did not think any more about painting. I left Sister Kenny walking short distances with a walker and got busy with my family's life. But things are always changing and when my body could not handle all the walking, I found myself needing a power wheelchair to help me get around with less pain. Because I was spending more time in a chair, I wanted to find a hobby to keep me busy while my family hiked, biked or skied around me. Watercolor sounded like it might be the ticket, simple materials to handle, easy to transport, so I took my first class at the Edina Art Center and was hooked. I made a goal to be brave enough to enter two paintings in the Sister Kenny Art Show three years ago. I remember on opening night feeling so awkward wearing a ribbon that said "artist" because I just did not think I was. To my amazement, when I found my paintings in the hallways, they each had an encouragement award next to them: one from the Rooney family and one from Courage Center. I was thrilled and then I met a woman who loved my painting and shared my love for cross-country skiing. I was blown away by the artwork, the buffet and the crowds during the opening event. I also love meeting other participants. At last year's opening, I was admiring a whimsical painting of a brightly painted polka dot animal and the young woman who was the artist pulled me over very proudly to show me both of her paintings, which had already sold. It is so rewarding and confidence building to be part of this event, even when you do not win an award or sell your painting. The energy is so positive for everyone involved." Painting what I love"I have learned when I paint to start with a subject that I love which is often a tree, water, the sky, a shadow or light shining on a window. I enjoy watching the seasons change and so that shows up in my work. There is so much to learn in watercolor. I mix the colors on the paper so I am never sure what the end results will be. Often it is the accidental things that end up pleasing me most. In my painting, I keep reminding myself: 1.) Don't let a piece of paper intimidate you. 2.) Mistakes are good. 3.) You can't control everything. 4.) Just PLAY and try new things. I love the art show and Sister Kenny. In fact, I am still a regular in the therapy gym on the second floor. Three times a week you can find me pedaling away on the electric "stim" bike. I see the therapists working with patients and see the way people change. It is an amazing place worthy of all our support." Related Links |
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Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
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