On illness and art

For the past six months I've been plagued by various health experiences that have affected my ability to breath easily.  After much doctoring and more medication than I've taken in my adult life I have a diagnosis that seems to be right.  Somehow, I've acquired asthma and an allergy to something that is unknown.  While there are more doctor visits and tests planned, the new medication program seems to be working and I feel  better.  I finally can breath easily and I have some energy.  There are small victories.  I am now sleeping in my bed and not a recliner.  Small stuff but important.

A core belief of occupational therapy is that participation in meaningful occupations has a positive impact on our health and well being.  During the time that I've been navigating these challenges I have given my times of best energy to my teaching and my caregiving of a family member.  While these are meaningful occupations they are not art making which is essential to who I am.  In addition to taking the medical route in my quest for healing, I also began to spend small amounts of time working on art projects.  Twenty minutes of art and then forty minutes of rest.  Slowly the amount of time I could sustain art activity grew and I felt more like myself.  Yesterday I spent over three hours doing woodworking at the Lillian St.  wood shop.  I went home tired but happy.  I built a pedestal to display one of my dolls.  I feel so much better!