Tobi describes herself as a ‘proud lowa girl’. After growing up in Des Moines and graduating from the University of lowa she hightailed it to the Chicago to seek new adventures. After working and enjoying the city life for 16 years, she decided to settle in the suburbs to raise her daughter. In 2009, Tobi and her daughter were in a serious car accident. Fortunately, her daughter was not injured, but Tobi suffered a spinal cord injury which paralyzed her from the waist down. She spent the next 18 months re-“abilitating” at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in order to regain strength and mobility. Tobi continues to utilize the many offerings at the AbilityLab. She began doing art therapy two years ago with the assumption that it would help her dexterity. Tobi quickly learned that it was much more. The therapy enabled her to release and express her emotions and feelings on paper. Whether they be joyful, sad, frustrated or courageous. Tobi can now look at her work and see the empowerment and beauty that lives inside her. Today, Tobi says she lives a life of gratitude and has so many wonderful blessings.