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Discover America with American Mosaic!

“You can really relax with it. There’s no hurry. It’s not competitive. And it’s a little [raise to] self-esteem.”

After Ken Fowler left the hospital, he continued working with origami. He joined a group of origami lovers in the city of Boulder. They call themselves “The Boulder Folders.” Barbara Gardner leads the group.

The Boulder Folders includes children as young as six to retirees in their seventies. Barbara Gardner says Ken Fowler is a valued member.

“Ken is motivated. He is a good learner. He’s done a lot of things to figure out how to fold things. He’s become a wonderful teacher.”

Like to Katherine, an eighth grade student.

“Right now I’m making a bunch of paper cranes, a whole bunch of really small ones.”

Katherine says she likes how origami exercises her knowledge of mathematics and art skills.

Ken Fowler tells his students that if they do not like how one of their creations is shaped, they should unfold it, study the folds and change them or start anew. He says the same is true in mental health.

“So, if you can’t figure out where you’re at, and you’re wondering where you’re at in your life, just unfold it.”

After folding and unfolding, everyone ends up with a paper rose. And then they sing a poem Ken Fowler wrote about origami.

These days, Mr. Fowler has been asked to teach origami classes in public schools. He hopes to someday do the same for patients in psychiatric hospitals.