AS little eight-year-old Oliver Tiainen was confined to a hospital bed battling a terminal illness he found an outlet through journalling and art therapy.
“Oli was once active and healthy and then suddenly bed-bound,” mum Natalie Tsokas said.
“He escaped from this world of doctors and illness with his journal. He wrote stories and told his story. When we stopped and created things together through art therapy we could enjoy the moment.
“Time passes by differently when you are doing arts and crafts. I was less worried when I was doing something with him.”
Tragically Oli passed away in 2018, but it was recalling the special moments of sitting together and sharing creativity that led Natalie to create Oli’s Gift.
“I started Oli’s Gift to help other children and their families to enjoy the moment,” she explained.
“People kept asking me how they could help sick kids in hospital and then I looked through Oli’s stuff and I saw all these things he’d made and remembered he’d had a good time when he made them, so I thought this is what you can do to help, and it will mean a lot.”
The gift boxes contain high quality art supplies, a journal, books, soft toys, a bravery mask and cape and a kindness rock which are sent to the Queensland Children’s Hospital and the Gold Coast University Hospital.
She said the artworks the children create from the boxes become a beautiful legacy for their families.
Natalie’s children, Isla Tiainen, 9 and Matiya Tiainen, 11 show other local children how to assemble each box.
“We have kids as young as two making the boxes,” Natalie said.
“The most heart-warming thing is that no child has wanted to keep the boxes themselves. They are keen to help and give back.”
It has become a well-known community event, with the same children returning regularly to help assemble the boxes.
Natalie has lost track of how many boxes she has donated now, but estimates it is over 300.
Supplies for the boxes are donated by The Art Shed in Brisbane, members of the community, as well as funded by Natalie herself.
