Art Speaks -

I'm Still Here

At the age of 67, Alan was young to be so advanced in the disease. Routinely placed in the art class by the staff, Alan stared vacantly and remained in one position until assisted to move. Week after week paintbrushes were made available, even loaded with paint and placed between his fingers with not a word of acknowledgment or recognition.

On this particular day the art facilitator replaced the unused paintbrush with a marking pen, similar to that used by draftsmen or architects. Moving away to assist others she returned moments later and discovered markings in the center of the usually blank paper. Three letter ‘Rs’ with circles around them. Knowing this was important, but having no way to communicate with Alan, the art was given to the care facility administrator with the request that family be consulted. Within a week there was an excited telephone call explaining that this is the way Alan always wrote their mother’s name. Through his confusion, the need to communicate was still important to Alan. Alan’s wife, Ruth, was on his mind and he wrote her name in his familiar way on his paper.

Exhausted daughters had been visiting regularly the care facility where their dad lived, only to leave after a few minutes, unrecognized and shaken with despair. After viewing the art, family re-evaluated a recent decision to discontinue visiting Dad. The art confirmed that their dad was still there with many emotions still trapped inside.