Alzheimer's Canyon: Jane: Dementia and the Arts

Friday, August 25, 2017

Jane: Dementia and the Arts

At the recent conference of the Dementia Action Alliance in Atlanta, GA, there was an extensive display of artistic creations by people with dementia. There were paintings and drawings (in different mediums), photographs, ceramics, and fiber arts. I was particularly enchanted by the fiber arts created by Cecil, and I asked him to create me a piece.

It arrived in the mail yesterday:

My photography skills are not great, so the photograph doesn't do the piece justice -- an intricate, crocheted creation, using many different stitches and colors.

Not only does Cecil have dementia, but he is nearly blind.

People with dementia who take up an artistic expression after their diagnosis say that it is very fulfilling, and a wonderful way to interact with the world in a new way. Perhaps anyone who is artistic will say the same thing.

In any case, we all need more art in our lives, and I applaud anyone who is artistic. And let this be a reminder that people with dementia have many gifts, and we should encourage their expression.

Thanks, Cecil!

3 comments:

AnonymousAugust 26, 2017 at 5:25 AM
That is just gorgeous! I love how you two are sharing the gifts and the frustrations of walking through the Canyon.
ReplyDelete
Replies
reveleyeApril 2, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Yes, the arts. Writing is an art, and Sky does it beautifully and masterfully. I left off reading last July and just started in again. I was so glad to see recent posts. I am read blog digests back to front, i.e. earlier posts before recent ones. In good faith, Lucy I.
ReplyDelete
Replies
MichaelFebruary 5, 2019 at 8:50 AM
Great,Thanks for sharing Post
Home Care Services San Leandro
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Tips on Reading Alzheimers Canyon

As of May 2018, there are now over 100 subscribers to our blog. And by "our" we mean not just Sky and Jane, but also everyone who reads and generally follows along with this journey into dementia. We read every single comment you all add with great interest. Please feel free to chime in.

We've learned a lot from your comments and expect to learn more as the journey unfolds. We've found it is too much try to reply individually to each comment on the blog, especially in a timely manner.....remember... some of these words, like the brain behind them, may have "loosed their anchors to time."

For new or bemused readers, this blog has two simultaneous threads going on at the same time. Some written by Sky, who is living with a diagnosis of "Probable Early Alzheimer's Disease." Some are written by Jane, who has been living with Sky for over 30 years. She holds the complicated position of primary care-partner.

The bulk of the posts are reflections on real-life challenges, adventures, surprises and their attendant emotions and changes. When you open the blog you will see a small selection of a small selection of the most recent posts. Most of these lead to a READ MORE button which will get you to the rest of the post. Feel free to jump around.

The other part of the blog is a more fantastical story, called Alzheimer's Canyon, about a regular guy, innocently traveling life's highway, who unexpectedly ends up in an exceedingly bizarre place called Alzheimer's Canyon. It is important to read these episodes in order. Here's how: Scroll down to the list called LABELS, on the right-hand sidebar. Click on the Label called Alzheimer's Canyon and you will see all the episodes. Don't forget to visit them in order, starting with "The Arrival." All the other episodes will be obvious from the number in their titles.

Keep in touch...