Artists for Trauma (AFT) held their Adaptive Artist Multi-Media Art show at the noted ENGEL & VOLKERS SOUTH BAY. This AFT fundraiser and public awareness event was a great introduction to this worthwhile charity and their mission to empower adaptive artists recovering from life altering trauma and who utilize healing through artistic platforms to expedite quality recovery and reinvention of their lives.

The Artists For Trauma Adaptive Artist Multi-Media Art Show featured artwork by talented inspiring artists, utilizing various artistic disciplines following their life altering traumas that resulted in a total life change due to paralysis, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD. This opening exhibition featured artwork by members such as Melissa Allensworth, Andrew Angulo, my “Live with Ford and Vida co-host Ford Austin, Richard Bell, Michael Hansel and Brandon Newcomer. 100% of All Art Sales proceeds benefit Artists for Trauma and the 5+ adaptive artists. AFT was founded by Laura T. Sharpe, who is a trauma survivor herself and selflessly wants to help other trauma survivors to be empowered, inspired and healed. Ford is a trauma survivor with a very moving story. With his loving wife Lauree Dash, who was there for every step of his recovery, Ford overcame the odds and his path to recovery was poignantly displayed in his photography collages.

Engel & Volkers Southbay was the main sponsor for this event. Additional sponsors were AFT, Buiced, Display Art Installation, ICCS, Moby Arts, Sharpe Interior Systems, and Top Shelf Concierge Services-Luxury Transportation. More info at http://www.artistsfortrauma.org/

Photos courtesy of Guillermo Proano/PR Photos and Michael Bezjian/Gettyimages