Meet Art, live again

The multifunctional Spazio Vita Centre was opened at the Niguarda Hospital by the AUS Niguarda Association and the Niguarda Spina Bifida Association (ASBIN) to host people with spinal cord injuries, Spina bifida and other physical disabilities in a pleasant environment used as a meeting place and for workshops and training courses. The Centre offers services aimed at social integration, play, exchanges, training and job preparation as well as the possibility to engage in various forms of art to assist in recuperating from disadvantage and foster the growth of children and young adults. Children with spinal cord injuries find themselves in a situation in which they need to rebuild their identity and self image, and re-invest their energies, feelings and projects in the outside world. Art represents a meeting place between subjectivity and the outside world in a creative and positive way, and helps develop the capacity to forge dreams, thoughts and projects for oneself and the world, thus enabling the beneficiaries to “live again.”

The project foresees workshops for small groups of varying ages in painting, ceramics and expressive games.

In 2016 the project has also involved the entire family of children affected by Spina bifida, by intensive week-ends during which children have met through ceramics and painting, and their parents have participated in parenting workshops, starting with the theme of creativity.