Hello, My name is Marckeith Hargraves.
I am a 27 year old thinker. I am a brother, a cousin, a son, a friend, an uncle and a lover of the arts, a lover of expression. October 15, 2022 was both a day to celebrate and a day that would forever change my life. In the earlier parts of that day I was offered a promotion in my career path at the USPS. Later that evening, I was involved in a horrible car accident that left me questioning my future. Doctors would soon inform me that my main injury was a paralysis of the T-11 vertebrae and down.
It’s been a journey, but one I’ve been grateful to still be on. I thought to myself, just keep it simple and try my hardest to show up at Magee for rehab, even on the days where it felt like a mountain of obstacles were in between me and getting to physical therapy. I accepted the challenge, it’s been paying off more than any job or career ever could. It was an experience that could have left me feeling empty, but instead it began to motivate me to just simply improve. In every aspect I wanted to improve, not just the physical, I want to become a better person in total. That’s when I was reintroduced to art at Magee. It quickly became special to me. At first, taking the time away from physically working on my body felt to me as if I were neglecting myself, but I soon learned that art was also a way I could improve myself, evolve myself.
I began giving hours of my day at Magee to the art room, painting and combining colors. During this time I could see how art was helping me to stay focused and sort of giving my mind and body a break, so I began to actually want to do more physically. Soon after that, I began to buy my own supplies, so I could create more paintings at home. It’s been a great part of my routine for the greater part of the year. I really enjoy spending my time, challenging myself, and doing creative things. I am super appreciative of this opportunity, the chance to meet new people and create new art.”
