personal expression when speech is lost and have trouble controlling hands?

[west coast]

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Here's the scoop: my mom was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration in the fall of 2005. It's a mean disease--she's lost the ability to speak (at least very well) and write, plus she has apraxia in her hands, which means that she's not always able to get her brain to "remember" how to move her hands certain ways (for example, sometimes using a knife in the kitchen is hard -- she can't remember how to make her hands saw back and forth).

So. Her desire to take up the piano again is thwarted and a bit depressing. The handwork that she used to love to do is now just a difficult task. She does like quilting and is still able to do that somewhat.

Any ideas at all about hobbies she might try taking up? I was thinking about ballet (she has perfect balance), or painting abstracts w/ her hands (no need to control a small brush there). I also suggested photography.

Any ideas would be great!

Thanks!

[Cry Tears]

Perhaps if your mother had a goal to focus on...something like making baby quilts for unwed mothers, or for police and social services to give to children who've been removed from Meth homes.
Fabric stores sell salvaged materials for about half price...a good way to get scraps together for making quilts.
She definatly needs a goal to help her focus.
Working for others can be very rewarding for all involved.
The items need not be perfect and is very appretiated by all.
Our church dorcas has a group that gets together each week and sews many of these quilts.
These hand made quilts go to children who've been taken from their homes, sometimes in the middle of the night.
If they come from a meth home, then NOTHING can be taken from there.
Imagine being a little girl or boy with beign taken away with nothing...not even a favorite toy.
How comforting it would be to receive a cute comforter or quilt.
Music is always a wonderful way to relax too if she can still play the piano....if she's played for years its something that comes naturally and don't have to think about moving your hands...but that comes from years of practice.
Perhaps have her play for others....I play the piano whenever I go to this group home...
I am such a bad player...but they don't care.
Perhaps any sort of art work would be helpful to your mother.
Many artist give lessons for their form of artwork. I take water color lessons...my teacher has a large studio and has over 70students in various stages of painting skills....she has several classes.
About 8 of us get together, paint, giggle and gossip for 3 hours each week.
Some of us are very novice painters...then there's some who're just down right talented.
Everyone is encouraged to just "do their own thing"...there's no right or wrong with what we paint.
Every eye is different. Perhaps your mother would enjoy joining a group like this....
In every group there's the talkers and then there's those who just soak up whats said.
It's so much fun and I can't wait for Monday nites class.
It's not that expensive either...about $40 a month....not including supplies...I don't know if cost is an issue with your mother. I don't know if anyone doesn't enjoy these classes....many have been students for more than 10 years....
Very talanted and not needing lessons...but they enjoy being with a group of like minded artist.

How about that sculpy clay? They have many forms/molds that can easily be made into many fun items.
There's an endless list of things you can do with that stuff.
I mostly think having a goal...to give the items away, will really help your mother focus on "really getting into it"...
But this is just my opionion...for what thats worth! LOL!:D
Blessings, cheryl

[jd3]

I like your ideas westcoast! I also think crytears has a good point. Perhaps both approaches could be combined.:)

[Doodles]

Westcoast,

I think that you seem to have a handle on your mom's condition and her needs to be able to express hersellf as she once had. I was diagnosed with a movement dissorder not long ago, myself. It has the potential to get worse, but no one can tell me for sure. I've lived my life, always with the notion, that I would do something with my artwork. It is scarry to think that someday I will not be able to express myself as I once did.

But there is hope in the horizon. I agree with crytears' suggestions. Sculpy clay is fun and is easy to correct if mistakes are made. On the other hand, one might feel that mistakes would be part of the artwork. On that note, I also like your idea of abstract paintings.

Anything can be considered art. Art is an expression of one's self. I'm confident that you and your mom will find a way to help her do just that.

:D Take care.

Doodles

[jmilphoto]

Hi WestCoast,
I'm not familiar with you mom's condition, but I think photography is wonderful idea. Also, since you mom likes quilting she may also like sewing. There's been a new revial of sewing within the younger community mainly creating "sock creatures", its fun, cute and doesn't require the precision that I'd imagine quilting does. You can use old clothing and whatever you have lying around, the quirkier the better! And kids love them! (think Christmas presents) :p
Check out: http://www.stupidcreatures.com/gallery.html

Also, collage might also be fun. There's a product called "mod podge" which is like liquid Elmer's that is an easy to use glue/glaze that works great for any collage project. I've used it to cover just about anything with photos, newpaper clippings etc. You can get it any hobby/craft store. HOpe this helps!
Good Luck!
~Jessie

[AllUpInMyHead]

Hi WestCoast,
I'm not familiar with you mom's condition, but I think photography is wonderful idea. [/url]

I second this opinion (and am a little embarrassed I didn't think of it myself, being a reckless amateur photographer and all). See if you can get her a camera (digital works just fine) and a tripod to hold the camera up (and steady). Amateur tripods go for around $20. Most cameras, even the $100 ones, are tripod-compatible.

I think music may also be an option if she is willing to use a computer (I know that most her age aren't big fans of those things, but then again, I've definitely spoken with a fair share of 70 year old grandmothers who are essentially addicted to the Internet). There are several computer-based music composition programs out there that allow one to "paint" notes onto a piano roll, and allow users to move the notes around the staff by simple clicking and dragging, obviating the need for sufficient coordination to play piano. Apple's GarageBand is one example. These programs are also compatible with input from MIDI synthesizer keyboards, should she want to try keyboarding first. I personally like using such programs (GarageBand in my case), since although I have the ear for music, my fingers are too klutzy to play piano or guitar due to my parkinsonian syndrome.

[Cry Tears]

I found my socks...the missing ones! Now they're made into those "stupidmonters" thingys...too cute!
No wonder kids love them...Think ANYONE would love having one, make them smile! Easy to hang onto too!
OK...here's a good idea...for someone needing to fill their day...ER rooms, espceially where children go...they need items that can be given to little patients to divert their attention when having medical procedures or other issues.
Police depts also need thingys...children coming out of drug bust homes...they leave with NOTHING...can take NOTHINGf...
Having something they can call their own does a lot to a terrified child.
Call your local PD or SO dept...ask if they have such programs.

Our church makes fleece blankets...to be given to kids who're coming out of drug bust...sometimes they find a toy to match it...such as Winnie Pooh toy and WP blanket materials.
Fleece blankets are very easy to make, cheep too! $3-5 at Wal Mart for materials depending on pattern.
You can make these for very little $ AND can use the tax write offs, such as your sewing machines, materials purchased, mileage transportation cost.
I did pet therapy for 6+ years USING my Service animal (dog).
Anytime I had a doc appt...lots of them at this time...I'd spend a few hours visiting others, making a few hours pass quickly for those who're hospitalized.
The staff loved having a break in the routine with just a few pettings and loves to my dog Satin.
I was able to use my transportation/mileage AND everything related to my dog, such as vet check ups, food, etc as a tax deduction.
I also got a free meal ($7 worth of food) in hospital cafeteria, if I volunteered more than 3 hours.
Hospital food...OK...at least the salads and sodas can be OK!:D
There are lots of ways to fill your day/time when lonely and having health issues.
I know this wouldn't work for everyone...but there may be a few of you where this would be ideal way to spend your day and help with lonelyness. It sure helped me...I really miss it.
At this time I'm "grooming" my cat, Bitty-boo to be a "pet therpist".
We'll go thru certifications needed to visit hospitals...but not necessary for some facilities like private eldercare places.
Not everyone expects a pet therapy animal to be certified, but is good idea expecially these days when lawsuits abound!
Blessings, cheryl
I'm also thinking of using my snapping turtle....pet therapist for people who like to give middle fingers salute!:D ...actually he doesn't bite, just hisses and clams up when frightened...but is interesting to watch him eat a pile of mashed potatoes and wiggling worms....very entertaining for sure.
Last week when I had a bd party here in our home....5 men spent half hour watching LeRoy eat a pile of worms they kept finding on the grass when hose turned on the grass. I've never seen so many men laugh and get grossed out like they were.
I'm posting a pic here, of Bitty-Boo my therapy cat....He's got huge paws, 6 declawed toes per foot, deformed hind legs and very loving.
He rides in my truck as content as can be...but it took some work, short trips at first to keep him calmed down.
Blessings, cheryl
Yes...I know he's spoided rotten...and he still "nurses" on our black lab...he's in 7th Heaven when he does that...you pull him off and he keeps his tongue hanging out and eyes rolled back...too silly/funny.
There's more pics of this on Pet Therapy Forum here in BT

[texasnancy]

Hi!

I'm so sorry your mother has what I have. I am also a musician and artist. I am just starting to forget how to play the piano. I've played for 51 years. I suggest that your mom find someone else to play the left hand while she plays a simple right hand. It would be easier on the brain, the hands, and it would be repetitious.

Ther are many art forms your mother can do. I have an art degree from a million years ago and I have some suggestions. One of our greatest artists, Monet, created collages out of large pieces of torn paper. Many are among his most famous works. There is also an art form called abstract naturalist. Maxine Masterfield is one of the best. She has a book entitled, "Painting the Spirit of Nature" published by Watson-Guptill Publications. She and many other artists using this method do not require paintbrushes. Instead pictures are made from various media (ink, acrylic, watercolor) and the use of different textures (wax paper, Saran wrap, fruit bags..). It's a very beautiful art from and most all supplies are very inexpensive. The over all production uses squirt bottles and larges sheets of paper. A lady in my town, Martha Howell, teaches this art form and I'm sure she would be glad to send information.

Please keep me informed about your mother. Obviously I have a personal interest. Please take care of yourself also.

All my best,

Nancy

[gizmogirl]

Hi, you have gotton such thoughtful suggestions that I feel intimidated trying to add anything, but I was really struck when my dad was handicapped how much better he felt when he was helping someone, even if he let his home health aide go home early it made his day.
If your mom likes to give advice and doesn't have word loss, doing yahoo answers would be great if it didn't require a keyboard. But it does, unless you can call a large corporation nearby and find one that has outfitted someone with a blower or eye movement typer, and get them to do it for her.
Good luck