Samiha Ahmad has suffered from migraine headaches since she was just six years old.
In the summer, the new Sophomore of Queens High School of the Sciences at York College channeled her pain into a drawing she made depicting a woman who is who is holding her head in two hands.
“It’s been extremely painful whenever I experience it. I’d always feel the sensation of throbbing and getting pounding throughout my back of my neck,” Ahmad said as she pointed to and explained the technique. “This girl is suffering from an attack of migraine that is evident in her stricken expression she has the look of her face. The painful areas are highlighted in red.”
She created a sketch for her Headache & Arts Program. It’s available all year long and is no cost to 9th to 12th graders at various public and private schools across the city. It educates High School students about brain health migraine, concussion and migraine through the art of.
Ahmad says that at times it can be difficult to articulate what she feels and her Headache & Arts program allows her to comprehend what she’s feeling and turn it into art.
“Art gives you a different way to express your emotions deeply,” Ahmad said.
In the time that NY1 interviewed her when they interviewed her, she was heading to meet the creator of the program Dr. Mia Minen and one of its instructors, Aarti Katara. They wear prism glasses that mimic the vision of people who they suffer from these severe headaches.
“They wear glasses and check how vision might be altered for those suffering from migraine that is associated with aura” Minen said. “An aura is a temporary neurological symptom, which means it’s something that happens and lasts for a time of between 5 and 60 minutes. It could be visual changes such as waves, it could be blindness, or tunnel vision, or it could be the sensation of being numb.”
The program was established seven years ago and is inspired by art that dates back centuries.
“Vincent Van Gogh, as an instance, with Starry Night, the thought that Starry Night is based off his aura” Minen said.
The Dr. Minen says learning about these illnesses that have influenced certain masters could be beneficial to students returning to school.
“People tend to go to bed very late, and they have less sleep, and stress levels may be heightened by projects and exams,” Minen said.
Ahmad recognizes the stress of schoolwork , but is able to speak out. The program isn’t completely cured her pain , but it has eliminated the stigma associated with it.
“To seek assistance is the most important aspect because we may be suffering from it but not know it, and that would mean that you may not receive the treatment you require,” Ahmad said.
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