CALLIGRAPHY FOR A cure During her own recovery, sophomore Sarah Marks encouraged others through calligraphy. F ollowing an invasive surgery, sophomore child life major Sarah Marks discovered a talent that she used to encourage others who were going through hard times. When Marks was in eighth grade, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition that caused abnormal curves in the spine. Marks tried to fix the problem during her freshman year of high school through the use ofa back brace but was unsuccessful, and the curvature quickly progressed. During Marks' senior year of high school, she was able to have surgery to fix the curve. The procedure was called spinal fusion surgery. Doctors opened her back and removed muscle to reach her spine and inserted two titanium rods and screws on both sides of her spine in order to straighten it. Marks still struggled with pain and.nerve damage years lacer. "I know that even though I may not be as strong as I wane to be right now, I can't wait to see what I will feel like when I gain more strength," Marks said. After the surgery, Marks was homebound for four weeks with pain and medication. Marks said that after watching numerous hours of "Fixer Upper" and "Pioneer Woman," she was bored of her repetitive activities. Marks discovered chat she had a talent in the written art of calligraphy. She created a social media account for others to follow and be inspired by her work. "I follow Sarah's calligraphy Instagram account, Letters with Positivity, and her talent and love for people really shine through in the words she posts," junior art major Morgan May said. "The platform she has made with her Instagram account reaches hundreds of people and creates a ripple effect of positivity that I'm sure reaches those struggling with whatever is ailing them." Marks was known to be encouraging and created the account with the hope that others would be uplifted by what she posted. The account contained verses, quotes and holiday-themed posts. "Sarah has a bright and bubbly personality," sophomore Madeline Garrison said. "She has a very positive outlook on life, and she does her best to make the best out of every situation. Even when she isn't feeling the best, you wouldn't know because of how positive she is, and how much she gives of herself to others." Marks found her talent through calligraphy and hoped she could inspire those who were looking for comfort. "When I letter, all my stress, burdens and worries slip away," Marks said. story by Lexi Hoagland Sophomore Sarah Marks spreads encouragement through calligraphy on Dec. 13, 2018, in the Brackett Library. After undergoing spinalfusion surgery because ofher scoliosis, Marks discovered her Lovefor calligraphy during her four-week homebound recovery. I photo by Angelo Felix Marks displays one ofher most recent pieces ofcalligraphy artwork in the Brackett Library on Dec. 13, 2018. She posted regularly on her lnstagram account, Letters with Positivity, which was dedicated specifically to encouraging others through her artwork. I photo by Angelo Felix
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