Thursday, April 25, 2013

Exploring Art With Mindful Escapes Alzheimer Relief

By Cherry Mercer


Seeing is understanding when you first learn about Mindful Escapes Alzheimer Relief. This is the story of an amazing architect and artist, whose family helped to bring about a different way of looking at finding breaks from the patient in their care. Rather than leaving him to others, they saw a new way for him to create art with his grandchildren. And this is where the amazing difference began.

Meaningful pursuits are tough to find when caring for Alzheimer patients. The never-ending process of watching over and engaging with can be exhausting. This disease, and other forms of dementia progress toward worse rather than better. Family often seeks whatever ways possible to keep the core person present for as long as feasible. It is often the case that one never knows when those moments of having the real person will be. Mindful Escapes is a website that provides gentle expressions of one way to support meaningful moments.

Professional architect, John Warren, found new artistic expression as he tenderly embellished his grandson's art. Fisher, age two at the time, had been watercolor painting with his grandfather. When finished, he went outside to play with the family. They came inside later to discover that Fisher's paintings had been transformed into something quite magical indeed. John had used his drafting pen to create intricate yet whimsical drawings over the colors. The two art styles were wonderfully merged.

The master hand and the child's fingers produced a colorful riot of lines, shapes, designs and patterns. John's immense talent was completely evident in the collaborative work. They have continued to paint together as the children have grown, giving opportunities for unmeasurable joy.

At one time, John had drawn breathtakingly complex architectural drawings. His University of Illinois education and subsequent work as an architect suited him well. His literally perfect geometry on paper indicated his high intellect, gift for seeing detail and his high level of imagination. The detailed thinking was in his core, ready to be released again. Time spent with his family was the motivation he needed.

Contributing to the eventual outpouring was John's friend, Chuck. Also an architect and colleague, Chuck handed a hundred dollars to Tracy, encouraging her to buy art supplies for her father. Chuck intuitively understood that tools might inspire John's artwork. Always looking for inspirational opportunities, Tracy bought everything John might use. With this chapter of the story, it was evident that the seeds of purpose were placed at hand.

Today, John's artwork is exhibited in galleries. The collaborative works with his grandchildren are part of featured stories in newspapers. His version of living with Alzheimer's has become an inspiration to others seeking solutions for spending time with this disease. The family continues to hope that his story will encourage others to try art as therapy.

Using therapeutic visual arts is possible for everyone. This is just part of the message of Mindful Escapes Alzheimer Relief. Painting and drawing can unlock pathways of expression in the brain. For a small investment in supplies, a big investment in time, and a huge investment in love, damaged human brains can still give forth who they are.




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