Episode 71 - Sculpting a New Path from the Youth System: Rural Roots to Artistic Discovery

In this week's episode of Take a Pain Check, prepare to be inspired as host Natasha welcomes the Sharona Franklin, an artist from Rural British Columbia. Sharona's story, despite grappling with multiple diagnoses, such as SJIA, AS, IBD, Pericarditis, and Vasculitis, transforms into a remarkable journey of unwavering resilience and strength. Natasha and Sharona dive deep into the profound impact of childhood struggles, the intricate complexities of the youth care system, the unique experiences of rural living, the challenges of dropping out of school, mental health battles, and navigating a unique family dynamic as one of eight siblings. Sharona fearlessly shares her early years, marked by the agonizing pain of being unable to eat. The conversation takes an intimate turn as Sharona vulnerably unveils the challenges she faced growing up within the youth care system, grappling with the involvement of social workers and lawyers in her life, and the far-reaching impact on both herself and her siblings. Despite these obstacles, Sharona discovered a wellspring of solace and empowerment through her passion for art. Natasha and Sharona embark on an exploration of the power of artistic expression, as Sharona recounts her early forays into creativity as a means to escape the confines of her circumstances. They delve into the judgments she faced due to perceptions surrounding having an assistant when doing art, and how she harnessed her lived experiences to create art that illuminates the unseen challenges of living with chronic illness. Lastly, Sharona ends off the episode raising awareness and fostering understanding, breaking down barriers and championing the voices of those facing similar struggles. Sharona's socials: Instagram: @hot.crip, @disabled_personals, @paid.technologies Articles to learn more about Sharona's journey: https://www.artbasel.com/stories/sharona-franklin-bioethics-disability-activism-statements-art-basel-2023?lang=enhttps://luttecollective.com/featured-artists/sharona-franklin Our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara