Thursday 16 September 2010
Dementia - Journey of a Carer
This post is part of the SITS Girls Back to Blogging Challenge – Day 3. It originally appeared on this blog in 2009.
I thought I knew all there was to know about dementia and what to do, but each day seems to bring new lessons and learning and insights that I hope to capture in the blog, but also as a means of unraveling my own misconceptions, guilt, joy, ahha moments, and look at a condition that so many people seem to be facing and effected by.
As a carer, my journey started in small ways that I wasn't even aware, but were excused by 'oh its just been misplaced' or 'shes just trying to make you feel bad', but very soon became cause for concern and action needing to be taken. Some areas have been sorted and taken care of quite easily but the social services and care system can be a mine field. Apart from the charities that provide advice there didn't seem to be one voice of information and help that didn't need unravelling, along side support for the carers.
We were assigned a social worker who had a mother who was going through the same thing, but rather than relating it felt as if to get a response or help my mother had to be totally isolated and a urgent danger to herself. There were too many departments to deal with, too many cut-backs and no one seem to take any notice of the carer and the experience and talk to us rather than talk at us.
Life for a carer is never the same, all the things you took for granted become a luxury, there are expectations as to what you can or should do. When your worn out from sleepness nights trying to convince the person that you are caring for that there aren't insects crawling on the floor or finding ways not to agree that there are insects but you will do something about what they think they can see, and then bit your tongue when they shout at you because you didn't do it properly - it can be hard going. Its vital and can be a welcome release to talk to someone else who is a carer.
Millions of carers and health professionals voice the same concern for more research on the condition and support for carers who are saving the Health Service both money and resources. I believe art and creativity can have an impact on their quality of life and currently looking into work being done internationally with creativity and how we can measure impact on mental health and well-being, and I am also working as an artist providing art sessions for the elderly with dementia. I regularly post on my YouTube Channel videos of working in your art journal to use it as a way to express feelings that you may have in a caring role.
I have learnt so much from those who participate in my art sessions who apart from the dementia and the way it manifests itself in their life are really lovely men and women with so much wisdom and experience. If you want to share your story, contribute or find out more information join my Arts in Health Network.
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Sun, Sea, Sand and Change
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Sunday 18 July 2010
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Get ready, there is a dream waiting to be lived through you!
Wednesday 7 July 2010
How did these get here?
Sunday 4 July 2010
Books and more Books
My latest phase is reading up as much information on other mixed media artists, there are so many wonderful new techniques to try I am not sure that my bank balance can really continue at this pace.
I get a buzz of excitement from the moment I see a book that I like, to the opening of the box on delivery. The satisfaction of looking up the books on their listings and reading the comments of other readers, and then you click to purchase, waiting in anticipation for the deliver - 1 day or so later you hear the knock on the door from the delivery person and your all excited likes Chistmas has come early.
Only for it to fizzle out as you try and find a space on the bookshelf and you wonder when your really going to find the time to read this new gem.
I have promised myself that I won't be buying any more arts/crafts or creativity books till I have read the ones I have got........oh ok......unless I see a really must have publication that is screaming I want to come home with you....promise! :)
I have listed some of the books that I really rate in the amazon side bar. The books I just finished is -Taking Flight - Kelly Rae Roberts, I just completed her ecourse 'flying lessons' which was very good, learnt lots and in the process of putting it into action. The other really good book is the 12 secrets of highly creative women by Gail McMeekin - great to hear the about the journey that others have taken, and really asks you some challenging questions that will help shape your creative life. Definitely worth getting these two! Let me know what your favourite read is..
Race for Life - Richmond - Images
Saturday 26 June 2010
Race for Life
Well the day is finally here, I'm taking part in the Cancer Research - Race for Life at Richmond Park today at 2pm. The sun is up, its planned to be a great day, wonderful atmosphere. As with my creative life its all now about stepping out of my comfort zone. I had a target of £100 to raise but managed to raise so far £122.50 from generous friends and family, see my link which will accept donations until 14th August 2010 http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/amandatrought . Will be showing some of the images at the event later on today.
Sunday 20 June 2010
Happy Fathers Day
Saturday 19 June 2010
Negativity/Insecurities - kick them to the curb!
At the beginning of your creative journey there is always something that seems more important than you spending quality time on your work and your development. I am half way through the Kelly Rae Roberts ecourse - Flying lesson and we are looking at the market places for your work.
As I read through I was met with a barrage of fears and negative thoughts all designed to make you do a U-turn and dash your creative flight to the wayside as there is always something more important that you could be doing - like the hoovering, putting another wash in the machine, or a mountain of other things that often crop up when we are at the breakthrough stages.
I decided not to ignore them but to write them all down, give my critic the space to voice its fear, and I came up with 2 A4 pages of all the reasons why I shouldn't be working on my art and creativity, but once the fears were voiced I could move on.
In the process I got myself a website and have been adding some of my work - You can see it HERE
Proverbs 3:5-6 says - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. When I was a child wasn't sure what I wanted to do, now I am older I am sure and its taken many years of reflecting, doubting, and going though to come out the other end with a lot of experience, knowledge, wisdom and a surety of how I want to express my creativity!
Like a child I nurture my inquiring mind, I am sensitive to my own insecurities and I support my growth. There will always be dishes and clothes to wash and hoovering to be done, at one stage or another you'll wonder what you did to receive so many blessings and be able to bless others with your work, but life is not a dress rehearsal and we have to live it to the full for we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Back on Track
I've been back in London now for 3 days now, been trying to catch up with all the emails, the ecourse, the general day to day demands that tug at you. Had a really good time at the conference in Norway (http://www.create.uwe.ac.uk/news.htm) , as well as taking in the lectures over the 4 days, I got to enjoy the peace that comes with being in your own space, learning more about what it is I want from my creative journey, and not having to cook for 4 days, but being pampered with the culinary delights from someone else's fair hands!
The conference was held in Gjovik, and there were researchers from all over the world, I was quite privileged to be among some of the brightest minds. As well as work, there was play, we got a tour of the worlds largest underground auditorium built for the XII Winter Olympic games in 1994
Monday 7 June 2010
Review of Delivering Happiness - a path to profits, passion, and purpose
Once I opened up the book to read, it joined the ranks of books that I didn't want to put down until I finished, that said it's one of those book that you can keep on dipping into, trying out the ideas and making changes to your life. Delivering Happiness is not only for employers wanting to make a change in the work environment and to their customers, but it is for anyone who would like to make changes to their mindset and ultimately their lives. It is written in a clear and humourous style. Tony Hsieh reflects on his life, his mistakes and his successes in an open and honest way.
Overall, I thought the book gave great insite in to his journey, written so that it is easily accessible - telling his story and encouraging the reader to change at the same time by getting you to ask yourself some key questions. It was also great to hear the views of his employees and the act of being open and transparent as an organisation, whilst sharing the vision behind the company organisational structure. I definitely encourage everyone to read it, and take a look at their website - http://www.deliveringhappinessbook.com
When you walk with purpose you collide with destiny........ Bertice Berry
Sunday 6 June 2010
Winged Thoughts - I am an artist
Thursday 20 May 2010
Delivering Happiness - Free Giveaway!
In his first book, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh shares the different lessons he has learned in business and life, from starting a worm farm to running a pizza business; through LinkExchange (acquired by Microsoft for $265 million), Zappos, and more. Tony shows how a very different kind of corporate culture is a powerful model for achieving success — and how by concentrating on the happiness of those around you, you can dramatically increase your own.
If you would like to have an advance copy leave a comment and tell me what your definition of happiness is. Your name will go into the prize draw. The first name out of the bag at 5pm on Monday 24th May will win the book. If you are a blogger and want to take part in the advance copy giveaway programme follow the link http://www.deliveringhappinessbook.com/contact/apply-for-an-advance-copy/
Wednesday 19 May 2010
Hello Sunshine!
I am beginning to feel I can give myself permission to be creative again, after what seem like a long spell in the desert, and not feel that the washing, cooking, cleaning, caring, mothering, diy and the thousand and one other tasks have to take precident. Its been a long road, I guess age and maturity has helped me see that to be the best that I can be for others, I need to cherish and be the best I can be for me!
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Growth
This got me to thinking how often we can feel that we are growing in a particular area or have learnt from a situation but we are restricted in our growth either because we have stopped seeing the possibilities or we have taken on board all of the negative that can often come our way and choke a great idea out of us.
We could also look at how we protect our ideas. Sometimes it's necessary to put a protective layer around it in its' early nurturing stages so that it doesn't get trampled and pulled apart and so the barbed wire might be useful in this type of situation.
When our ideas are nurtured and cared for they have plenty of time to grow and develop despite the environment.
Saturday 27 March 2010
Contemplation
Monday 4 January 2010
New Year - resolution fantasy or reality?
If you could imagine the ideal life/work, lifestyle what would it be? What type of relationships would you have in your life? Where would you travel? What would your job be? I asked myself that question and made a list of things . When I looked back on all of the things on the list I realised that each one on the list were all achievable now and I wouldn't have to wait till that ideal time, place or the right people to start. What it required me to do was think out of the box, and look at them in different settings, parts of the world, break them down to achievable chunks, put a time frame, make myself accountable - telling a friend etc.
My list looked like this:
- My job/working environment - Being self employed, working all over the world in exotic places,
- Having a studio and gallery representation
- My health - eating the right food and loosing weight
- Improving relationships with friends and family
- Travelling - holiday more than twice a year
- Home environment 6 bed room house with a studio to do my art, large garden, and a granny flat for my elderly mother - maybe in the uk or abroad - Why limit yourself to the UK if you went further afield you might get more floor space for your money.
Look at each goal and think what small steps you can do to make it a reality. Think of ways to keep a check on yourself and keep yourself motivated by giving yourself rewards along the way. On a monthly basis do this exercise to see how your getting on.
What could you do to make more time to pursue what made the most of your talents and abilities while earning a living. The thing to remember is to remain flexible. How many ways can you achieve your goals? Will changing the environment or people make a difference? Set yourself a time frame and as you start achieving certain goals make new ones that you can follow.
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Sketch Books
Mini books (3x6) This size makes use of the loose or scrap pieces of paper that you may have lying around - these are 5 pieces of card either stapled or sewn together with a cover decorated in scraps of handmade paper that might be too small to use in a piece of work. I make them with mini pockets for putting in additional samples. I usually have more than one book on the go which gives me the flexibility in following particular themes/ideas in the different books at the same time. I carry a few of these around with me - they are light, easy to make and use. I use them to jot down quick ideas or things that have caught my eye - sketching the designs out, using water colours, collage and any other colour ideas depending on what I'm working on.
5x5 books - These books are used to follow up an idea, I make the books in accordion style and there are usually 7 or 8 pages to work with. The paper on these books are water colour paper 240 gms which allows for the use of paint and anything you want to stick in it, or sew in it and because of the design you can attach additional pages to it, the cover is made using recycled cardboard from packaging or boxes.
A4 books - I use the A4 size book if I am working on something that incorporates a lot of detail or if I am working on a portrait. I can also use information that I have been working on in the smaller booksonce I am happy with the idea in the 5x5 journal I will put together the finished idea I'm going with in an A4 book, and you also have the reference and thought process in the small books this also leaves room for additional ideas to flow at a later time.
Decorators
Last month was been fraught with the prospect of having builders in my mums property working on kitchen, bathroom and toilet, and dust. Had to deal with the long line of people that needed sorting. I was told by a very helpful young lady in relation to my mother with dementia, that its the ones that shout loudest and longest that are the ones that get heard, and so it does seem that with the social workers dealing with so many cases, that unless your falling apart at the seams you get parked at the side for as long as it takes.
I also had to make use of the respite service for carers and put my mum in a home for the duration of the building work, it was very hard at the beginning and my mum couldn't understand the reasons why. As far as she is concerned the people in these places don't talk and with only 2 staff on duty is was difficult to see how much they could interact with the clients past dinner in the evening and generally people were left to their own devices or to watch tv. I could understand how she felt. It was an eye opener to see the tv programme on BBC (can Gerry Robinson fix dementia care homes). But it proved to be a great help in the midst of the situation, she got on well with the staff as she is generally very sociable and lively.
The decorating is now complete, and as usual there is always areas that could be improved, places that need touching up, holes that need to be filled where they had their 'little accidents', and there was some damage done to walls, but hay, the mist of dust is clearing and now I have to arm myself for the next round.
In all that has gone on I have tried to maintain a level of creativity, which is the one thing, alongside my faith that keeps me going, working on different creative projects reminds me that in the midst of a situation there can always be a place for you to go and immerse yourself in colour, texture and over the next few weeks I will be featuring some of the work that has come out of those times also been working on some journals and sketch books, will let you have a look over the next few weeks..
Monday 12 October 2009
Asking for Help
Mum living with Dementia yet still strong |
As I sit in front of my computer, trying to be creative and an inspiration, reminding myself that I am not at my final destination but on life's journey my thoughts turn toward my 13 going on 30 year old son and being a mother.
Art Journal - I use my art journal to work through things that are troubling me |
Art Journal - Believe |
I must find time out for myself - and to be creative, rediscovering the beauty in simplicity and also remember my superhero outfit is in the dry cleaners and won't be ready for a few more days......
For information on the Arts and how they can impact - on our health and well-being check out the Art in Health Network
https://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/arts-in-healthcare
Friday 9 October 2009
Arts and Mental Health
Every month we have an exhibition of work completed, and photos of participants in the session |
Participants get to try new techniques and find the ones they like the best |
Over the next few days will be sharing their words and some images.