Artistic expression is open and freeing

I am so happy that this Inspirations edition is highlighting art! Art is a holistic and important experience that can be enjoyed by and adapted to all. Whether you are a participant or an observer, art is something that can be felt, touched, heard, seen and even smelled. 

Whatever your ability, there is a way to create your internal vision through art. It has endless possibilities, which can be created in any form, expressed in any way. Creating art is also therapeutic for our well-being in so many ways - touching our mind, body and soul. 

Art is tactile and so helps with sensory and motor skills. Whether you are just learning or honing your skills, the beauty of art is in its creation. Creations can be made at home or in an instructional in-class setting, or, with today’s technology, online. So many websites and apps are available to help you with your creations whether it be tutorials or adapted tools. 

You can join online communities, as well as learn more about art for all abilities. We can also support the artists in our community, for example, the mouth and foot artists. 

My personal experience with art and my quadriplegic son was just to have fun and see what works for him and what he enjoys most. For his ability, finger painting was a joy, and plasticine was an experience better thrown than sculpted! 

I bought him adapted crayons which, with a little help, was fun but he eventually grew out of it. I also purchased a head mount so he could paint with a brush. What he found easier was creating art via the computer with adapted switches, which was a whole new world to creating art. 

We continually look for ways that would be fun for him to explore art and that are within his abilities. Everyone is different, but there is something out there for everyone. Art can just be what you want it to be; there is no right or wrong. It’s freedom; it’s inspirational!  

Joanne Charron is president of The C.A.R.E. Centre and president of the Comité des usagers of the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre Users' Committee. She is special advisor to Inspirations. Contact her at charronjoanne@gmail.com.