For this Patient Spotlight, we hear from Paula Kerman, a Des Moines author, artist, and educator. Here, she shares what she does and how her experience with physical therapy at Capital Health has improved her back and hip pain.
Meet Paula
I’ve taught art for over 40 years in the Des Moines Public Schools, the Des Moines Art Center, and at my in-home studio.
I began painting this series of strong women after experiencing the deaths of my parents and husband all within 3 months. I needed to be strong to survive this grief, so I began researching and painting women I admired for their strength and grit.
I wanted to experiment with mixed media so this was the perfect opportunity to try a different method of creating my art. I was selling my pieces in art shows until Covid hit and everything was canceled. But after losing my fiancée several years ago to cancer, I continued the series mainly as therapy for myself.
I also wanted to do some good for others, especially kids, so I researched what these feisty females were like as children and how that influenced them to become courageous and brave leaders. I wrote my book, Hooligans, Rebels, and Rabble-Rousers, so that kids will know that no matter what life throws at you, you can rise above and make the world a better place.
Paula’s Experience at Capital Health
More About Paula’s Work
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