By Kelly Hartog
Artists For Trauma (AFT), the California Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), and Bezgraniz Couture, held a red carpet charity event in Century City on Sept. 30, entitled A Global Conversation-Rebranding Disability.
AFT is a non-profit organization and its website describes its mission as being “dedicated to enriching the lives of both civilian and military trauma survivors by pairing recovering patients with established artists from various creative disciplines.”
The organization was founded in 2011 by trauma survivor Laura Sharpe and the September 30 event held at the CRI at Century Park East, was designed to highlight the positive effect medical professions, businesses and fashion industries and bridging community organizations can have on rehabilitating patients transitioning from post acute clinical to quality of life settings.”
California Rehabilitation Institute’s CEO John Behzad noted, “AFT orchestrated a wonderful event at CRI, and the event helped engage people to have a better understanding and appreciation for rebranding disability. Capitalizing on the healing power of arts, AFT softly touches the hearts and spirit of people in our community.”
Among the celebrities and VIPs who attended the event were, fashion blogger Vida Ghaffari and actor Ford Austin. The pair host “Live with Ford and Vida,” and Austin is also a trauma survivor as well as an ambassador for AFT.
“I feel very blessed to have been embraced by Artists For Trauma and Laura Sharpe. We hope that with the support of AFT, we can shine a bright light of hope on the spirits of all trauma survivors and those overcoming PTSD,” Austin said.
