The benefits of art therapy

I have done artwork since before I could walk.

My mom was an art teacher in her first career. She wanted Ryan and I to be creative, so she started early. She would buy rolls of newsprint paper and spread them out on the floor. Then she'd put us on the paper with big jumbo crayons.

Ryan didn't take to art. I loved it.

These days I don't get to paint as much as I'd like. I'm always behind on things that just seem more important than my own personal entertainment.

But when I get to feeling too overwhelmed, somehow the painting helps. It's therapy.

When I was in the drug trial for Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome at NIH, waiting for test results always made me anxious. I always packed watercolors and painting helped to pass the time. It helped me think about something besides how life would change if the results weren't good.

Today I saw this article through a newsfeed I get regarding bleeding disorders. I loved the article and thought it was great!

It's about how art therapy can benefit anyone dealing with acute or chronic illness.

http://www.hemaware.org/story/creative-treatment

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