Sawtooth Ceramics Class
Helps Stroke Victim Recover
By Judie Holcomb-Pack
Last fall 83-year-old Nannette Gatti moved to
Winston-Salem to live with her youngest daughter.
Seeing her move around today, it's hard to believe
that in 2003 she spent over a month in the hospital,
recovering from a series of strokes where she had
to learn to walk and talk all over again. Recovering
from a stroke takes "patience, hard work, and
determination," according to Nannette. She was
determined to resume living a full and active life.
Nannette and her late husband Rico led an
interesting life, living all over the United States. She
met her husband while they were both in school at
the University of Southern Mississippi. He became
a civil engineer and she became a physical education
teacher and coached basketball, Softball and boys'
soccer, and taught history and literature. His job
took them from Louisiana to Mississippi, Florida,
Wisconsin and Illinois, and also outside the United
States to Germany. An avid sports fan, she became
a fan of the local teams where they lived and still
cheers on the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, the
Broncos, and New Orleans Saints.
Always being an active, outgoing person, when she
moved to Winston-Salem she started looking for
something to do during the day while her daughter
worked. She joined the YMCA and started working
out with weights and walking. She was happy to
find so many other seniors at the Y and easily made
new friends.
Nannette embraced technology and learned how to
use an iPad. She now has weekly "face time" with her
sisters, aged 82 to 94, using the Face Time app to have
regular chats. "It's almost like being together she said
with a big smile on her face.
Because she had a talent for art, her daughter
suggested she check out the classes at Sawtooth
School for Visual Art. She used to oil paint clothing
when she lived in Florida, but holding a brush steady
was difficult for her now. Nannette was drawn to the
ceramics program because she thought that working
with her hands would help improve her dexterity,
which had been affected by the strokes. After just a few
classes, she knew she had found her place! She loves the
feel of a raw piece of clay in her hands, and commented,
"Its so satisfying to create something new!'
For people who don't have a lot of strength or
flexibility in their hands, working in ceramics is a
good place to begin. There is equipment to help you
roll out the clay and several talented instructors such as
Nicole Uzzell are there to help you each step of the way.
Since beginning the class, Nannette has completed two
bowls, two angels, a pitcher and a mug.
Nannette has learned first-hand how Sawtooth
provides opportunities for individuals to develop
not only their creative skills, but also to develop
personal relationships with others. According to
Sawtooth Sales & Marketing Director Kevin Mundy,
many ceramics students return every quarter to take
classes because they develop strong friendships and
enjoy the camaraderie. "Every time 1 walk down to
the ceramics studio, the students are eating cake,"
Mundy said. "These folks really get to know each
other well, and they celebrate birthdays and other
special events. A few weeks ago someone brought
in red velvet cupcakes for Valentines Day," he said.
"They're not only creative potters, they're pretty
creative bakers as well!"
Nannette has found Winston-Salem to be a "true
Southern town." She enjoys the new friends she's
making and the many activities that are available here.
Her enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious.
Her advice to other seniors is,"Don't feel sorry for
yourself - getgoingT
If you're not sure about signing up for a class,
Sawtooth offers "A Taste of Art," an evening where you
can sample different types of arts and crafts. For more
information, go to www.sawtooth.org and click on
"Classes" and "Taste of Art"
Sawtooth School for Visual
Art is working with Certified
Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
Robin Embry to conduct a
series of classes in the coming
months for her clients from the
Carolina Center for Cognitive
Rehabilitation. Embry, who is
also an accomplished potter and
ceramics instructor, founded this
Winston-Salem based non-profit
organization to help individuals
who have experienced a brain
injury as a result of a stroke, an
accident or any other cause.
Working with clay helps these
individuals improve motor skills
and cognitive processing,
and provides a positive,
encouraging environment for
social interaction. For more
information, contact Sawtooth
at 336-723-7395.