June 14, 2002

An artist transcends physical barriers

In 1998, Fred Siwak was working as a paralegal on the west coast when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressively debilitating disease that destroys the motor neurons, resulting in weakened and paralyzed voluntary muscles.

Siwak, left, with Brown

Because of the devastating disease, Siwak had to abandon his paralegal work and move back home to New England to be closer to friends and family. It was then he decided to concentrate on a long-forgotten dream — he now had the opportunity to awaken the artist that had always lived within. For the past several years, he has spent much of his time fine-tuning his craft. And on June 6, Siwak, along with other ALS patients, showcased his talents as he participated in the art exhibit "Transcending Barriers to Creativity." The exhibit is a nationwide traveling art show that arrived at the MGH June 10 and will be on display in the Neurology clinic in WACC 835 until June 21.

"Before being diagnosed, I just dabbled in art. I always thought that I would have the time some day down the road, and unfortunately, now I have all the time in the world," Siwak says. His love of art is expressed through carved images in linoleum tiles, which he then uses to create prints. After the prints dry, he colors them in with pastels, a time-consuming craft. He has lost much of the movement in his hands and arms, but that has not stopped him from pursuing his dream. Determined to continue his love of art, he adapted a universal cuff/eating strap with a special pocket that holds his carving chisel in place. "It takes months to carve each block, but I'm adamant about doing everything myself," he says.

Siwak's linoleum block print "Dragonflies" (shown at right) is just one of the 15 pieces in the exhibit, which is a collection of artwork created by patients with ALS. The Boston exhibit is co-hosted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the MGH, where Siwak is under the care of Robert H. Brown, MD, director of the MGH Day Neuromuscular Research Center. Siwak's art has won rave reviews and earned first prize at the Topsfield Fair in 1999 and 2000.

The MDA art collection was established in 1992 to show that physical disability is no barrier to creativity and to broaden public knowledge of the achievements of individuals with disabilities.

"ALS patients are faced with a heavy burden," says Brown. "Yet, despite the devastating effects of this complicated illness, their strength, character and creativity are true testaments of how the spirit is stronger than the body."