Photo By Staff Sgt. Olivia Stecker | U.S Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper, 336th Training Support Squadron public...... read more read more
Five years ago he woke up in a hospital bed without any memory of what had happened or who he was. He had to relearn how to walk, how to speak, and how to use his hands. Today, he’s pursuing his dreams of serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Through a pencil and drawing pad, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper, a Public Affairs specialist with the 336th Training Support Squadron, reignited his passion for life. Now, when times are tough Rupiper relies on art as an escape from the everyday.
“All in all, art reminds me of how far I’ve come. I see myself getting better as time goes on, the details becoming clearer and more refined. Seeing the control I have over my hands and the ability to to even use my fingers, it means everything” Said Rupiper. “I don’t want to take it for granted, because there was a time when I couldn’t move any part of my hands let alone draw in detail. So having that to hold onto and escape into when things get hard, it helps me keep going”.
An array of drawings, both pencil and digital, hang on the wall above his desk. A testament to the importance of art in Rupiper’s life.
Rupiper, a 23-year-old native of San Francisco, was always gifted when it came to creative arts, but he didn’t pick up a drawing pad until the end of his high school career.
“It was for a girl” he said with a laugh, “She was really good and I was impressed. She ended up teaching me how to draw and I’ve been going ever since. We obviously didn’t end up together, but she gave me something that honestly ended up saving my life.”
The significant role art would play in his life wasn’t apparent until Rupiper was in a serious motorcycle accident that left him unable to control 90% of his body.
“I couldn’t move my legs or my hands, even breathing was hard at first” Said Rupiper. “I was terrified that I’d never get back to where I was at before the accident. Recovery was brutal, but they pushed me hard in the hospital”.
As he slowly regained control over his body, the hospital rehab clinic challenged him at every turn. But it wasn’t till he was discharged did he regain some control over his recovery methods.
“When I was recovering in the hospital, they made me do a puzzle every day to help rebuild my fine motor skills. Once I was discharged my dad gave me the option of doing a puzzle every day or to draw something. I couldn’t do another puzzle, and I still haven’t been able to, so I chose to pick up a pencil and draw again. It gave me something to focus on besides everything I had lost, and it was the one thing I felt actually helped me control my hands again” said Rupiper. “It gave me something to live for, and to strive to get better at while recovering. Now, when things get hard I always have a drawing pad to pick back up again. It’s my outlet.”
Now Rupiper channels his love of art and all things creative into doing the best at his job as a Public Affairs specialist assigned to the Air Force’s Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape school.
“What we do here is so unique compared to a standard Air Force Public Affairs shop. I feel like I get the chance to be a bit more creative when in the field and I think what I know about art and composition lets me see and capture things a little different than others in my career field” said Rupiper. “If it wasn't for my art I probably wouldn’t have proper control of my hands. I wouldn’t be able to operate a camera. So it’s really important for me to take what I know and apply it to work so I can be the best at what I do.”
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.15.2021 19:52 |
| Story ID: | 407391 |
| Location: | FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 244 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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