Sasha is helping to raise thousands of dollars for Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
The Sasha Project LA, a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization, is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for The Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, helping patients heal through art.
About Sasha
Sasha is soft spoken, but her painted jeans speak volumes.
Painting denim began as a fun craft as well as art therapy. As she began to enjoy making art in her backyard, Sasha came up with the idea to give back to her community. After giving the idea more thought, Sasha and her mom decided to take this idea one step further, and established a nonprofit organization, The Sasha Project LA.
Sasha came into this world on May 21, 2008 having suffered a stroke during childbirth. From the day she was born, Sasha has been living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Seizure Disorder. To help manage and improve the physical challenges of her CP, she participates in strength building activities like hippotherapy (therapeutic horse back riding), rock climbing, and attends physical and occupational therapy every week, but never without a smile! She also Sasha spends two weeks at CHLA's Handy Heroes Occupational Summer camp every year, where she first encountered art therapy.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has been a second home to Sasha. From emergency admittance for seizures to check-ups to physical therapy, the doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff have been there every step of the way. Most recently, Sasha underwent an innovative and corrective leg surgery. The surgery left her in a full leg cast for eight weeks. Although the recovery process was challenging, she recovered in style. Sasha could often be spotted cruising around Larchmont Village in a wheelchair adorned with butterflies and glitter! Exceeding her doctor's expectations, she made a quick recovery and was back to walking by the end of the summer.
The Sasha Project LA has generated more positive conversations around the healing effects of art on children. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from The Sasha Project LA are donated to CHLA’s art therapy programs, programs that have helped Sasha heal through art. On every piece of denim Sasha paints, there are three hearts that represent “healing through art.” It is our mission to bring art therapy programs to children in communities across the globe, one painted piece of denim at a time.
Healing through art therapy
Art transcends illness and connects children and adults through creative expression. Children are natural artists. They dance like no one is looking, make their own music, color outside the lines and use every shade in a crayon box. When used as a healing tool, the arts can help patients cope with the distress that accompanies illness, injury and hospitalization.
The Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) provides opportunities for patients and families to express themselves through visual arts, music, poetry, dance and theater. The program gives children an outlet to explore feelings of anxiety, frustration or grief as they face the challenges of treatment and recovery. The Artists Program also helps fund the Handy Heroes Therapy Camp, a summer day camp program designed specifically for children with hemiparesis, a condition which often limits a child’s ability to use one side of the body due to lack of strength, coordination, and motor skills.
Expressive arts therapies are proven to have medical and therapeutic benefits. They can help decrease blood pressure, regulate respiratory signs, promote development and motor skills, alleviate pain and improve overall compliance with treatment. However, while expressive arts therapies make a profound impact on patient care, these services are not covered by insurance and are supported entirely through philanthropic giving.
