Back in March, Natali Avshalomov found herself with the same dilemma so many people faced when the novel coronavirus pandemic began: How was she going to fill her newfound free time?
Her unique answer combined her love of style and sparkle with her desire to help people in need, and it’s warming hearts everywhere!
The senior at Binghamton University has been studying human development and hopes to work in orthopedics or podiatry one day. She’s always dreamed of adding jewels, sparkles, and other fun designs to her patients’ casts, but since she’s not quite there yet, she decided to use her talents to spread joy to kids instead!
After receiving donations from her friends and family members, Natali purchased a bunch of crutches – and started decking them out! Each set she works on is totally unique and features creative designs and carefully hand-painted accents like flowers and happy faces.
And these aren’t quick sketches. She has spent as many as three hours decorating one pair!
Her ultimate goal? To help kids “think of it more of an accessory as opposed to a burden.” She added, “That’s why I want to make them customized, special, and unique.”
The awesome idea inspired her to launch the Walking On Sunshine Project, which accepts donated crutches before decorating them with spray paint, sparkles, quotes, and intricate designs. Then, twice a year, Natali will gather the fun medical accessories and give them to orphanages and local hospitals for kids in need!
Right now, she has a GoFundMe set up so she can buy more supplies. She hopes to eventually bring in volunteers to help with the design process.
“These children otherwise, if it was not for the medical donation, would not get the crutches they would need,” she said. “It helps a kid gain their mobility and better their childhood with this project, so I think it has a lot of meaning to it.”
Just look at this little one from The Loving Hands Children’s Orphanage!
What a wonderful way to spread extra sunshine to children in need! Keep up the great work, Natali!
Learn more about her project in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends.
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