RADFORD – Radford University associate professor of art and art education director Richard Bay and students in his class recently held an art- making experience for brain injury survivors at Lakeview in Blacksburg, a residential care facility. Bay is also a survivor of a brain injury.

Bay says the class was a chance for the Lakeview residents to engage in a fun and relaxing activity. “I explained to my students that the project has many important components. Working with these materials and techniques allows for the development or gross motor skills, helps stimulate memory and critical thinking and allows these individuals a chance to converse about feelings and ideas they have.”

March was Brain Injury Awareness Month. Bay says most individuals aren’t aware that U.S. citizens are five times more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury than multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, HIV/AIDs and breast cancer combined. Bay says, “Add to this that 10 to 20 percent of marines and soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq may have experienced brain injuries in and out of combat.”

Bay wants to continue the art program and engage more students in the activity. Students assisting in the workshop included art majors Lori Dunevant, Rebecca Medlin, Clara Somers and psychology major Justin Wallace.

IN THE PHOTO: RU Art Education major Lori Dunevant works with a Lakeview resident on a project.