Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Case Study #8 - Kcat Writing an Article

"Kcat Writing an Article" 30" x 24" oil on canvas.
Kcat Yarza lives in the Philippines and is a contributing writer to the Manila Bulletin.

Pencil Sketch for the painting.
Kcat has NF2 which had left her deaf and one side of her body paralyzed. She cannot walk because of the NF. In fact, prior to the paralysis she was left handed and that was the side of the body that became paralyzed. Kcat practiced using her right hand and went back to creating artworks through her computer, and did self study through the internet until she developed her skills in graphic design again. She currently designs t-shirts and is able to use the money raised to help offset her own medical bills. She's had surgery to save her eye from a bulging tumor and had a cochlear implant to restore some hearing. In Kcat's words "Neurofibromatosis is a continuing battle. We may never know when and if the tumors will strike again. There are still a lot to "get better” from. Besides, why do I have to worry? Worrying would just add to our burden. What I need to do now is to be strong and find ways to raise funds for my medical expenses. God is with me. His will be done". Blessings came pouring. In 2010, Kcat was chosen as one of the 7 finalist in the Cebuana Lhuillier’s Search for Happiest Pinoy. In the same year, she became the grand winner of Pagbabago blog contest sponsored by Nuffnang and Goldilocks. She was invited to give a talk and inspire more people in different events and did a couple of TV, broadsheet and radio interviews. To share all these blessings from God, Kcat launched her “MAY Birthday Project” in 2007, where she asked her friends for hospital necessities and toys and birthday gifts to distribute among the Children’s & Neurosurgery Wards at Philippine General Hospital. NF2 is a genetic disorder which affects 1 in 25,000 births.