Sapulpa man finds purpose with art after stroke

SAPULPA, Okla. — A former California firefighter who suffered a stroke has found a new purpose here in Oklahoma, thanks to The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

John Olivas said, “This place saved me. It didn’t make me an artist, but it inspired me to be one.”

After the stroke, Olivas had to relearn everything.

Olivas said, “I lost speech. I lost the ability to swallow, to eat. All my body functions from half my body, pretty much, gone.”

He moved to Sapulpa to be close to family, and that’s how he found the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

The center was founded by the National Council of Jewish Women in Tulsa in 1957. The organization is a non-profit and its mission is to provide opportunities for people living with physical challenges in order to improve their quality of life. Its mission is to provide opportunities for youth and adults with physical challenges to enhance the quality of their lives

While visiting the center on 11th and Utica, John was invited into the art room by the former art instructor.

He was reluctant at first, and said, “I can’t do art.”

The teacher encourages Olivas saying, “We teach you.”

John said it started out simple with drawing circles and lines, and now, he has walls full of beautiful paintings.

He says growing mastery of the paintbrush would have been impossible without help.

And now, he’s able to pass on to his grandchildren, something that he never dreamed of before visiting the center, a legacy of creating art.

Olivas said, “My granddaughter is following in my footsteps. She loves painting. My grandson, 6 years old, he paints with me at home.”

For more information on classes or how you can help, go to tulsacenter.org.

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