Week 11

This week we got to watch a video of a man who has no use of his arms but has a career in doing something he loves, drawing. It was very inspirational as well as eye-opening. We are only as disabled as we allow ourselves to be. Where there is a will there is a way. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vdGpnpr0k&feature=youtu.be

We were then able to learn about the different benefits of arts and types of expressions when it comes to art such as painting, music, acting, ect. I liked what we learned this week about how there is three different levels of art participation they include:

1. The Perceiver: At this level participants might enjoy listening to music, watching a play or going to a photo exhibition. They appreciate the talents of others.
2. The Performer: Performers enjoy playing a piano piece or acting in a play. Their participation is much more than that of the perceiver.
3. The Creator: Participants at this level enjoy shooting photos, sculpting with clay or painting a mountain setting. Participation involves high levels of creativity.

We also learned about all the benefits that art provides such as:

1. Self-discovery
2. Communication with others
3. Improved self-concept
4. Skill development
5. Societal recognition and awareness
6. Social interaction

Online I found a website that goes a little deeper into these different qualities and perks of art for everyone really: http://www.disabilityliving.ca/people-with-disabilities-art-therapy/

They said, 

"One definition of art therapy is “Employing the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages with the aim of resolving conflicts and problems, developing interpersonal skills, managing behavior, reducing stress,  and increasing self-esteem and self-awareness.”

While art therapy does have specific benefits for the disabled, it also has emotional, physical, mental, cognitive, and creative benefits universal to all people. The emotional benefits are reaped when a person chooses to express his or her emotions through art, be it through painting, singing, dancing, etc. This may allow for a more “free-flow” of emotions, and may prevent them from getting backlogged and causing emotional difficulties."

I love the way they put this and it was really easy for me to understand and see how that could be possible, through the video we watched as well as through doing art myself.