Crafts

Crafts

1. Mosaics

2. Clay Creations

I have always been one of those “artsy craftsy” people for as long as I can remember. When I was about 5 years old, my maternal grandmother taught me how to knit and crotchet. I was also good at drawing things, courtesy of my paternal grandmother’s genes.

Throughout my entire life, I have expressed and enjoyed my creativity through making various kinds of art using all kinds of mediums and materials. One of the reasons I loved my job as a parent/early childhood educator was because it allowed me to make homemade educational toys and materials which I used in my work.

After the accident, I had difficulty completing everyday living tasks. Doing crafts again did not seem like a feasible reality. It became a very depressing existence giving priority to everyday living activities with no time left for things I enjoyed.

That’s when I decided this approach was not working. It was important for me to spend time doing crafts because it is healthy to have some enjoyment in one’s life, as well as a sense of accomplishment. Yes, it takes me a long time to complete craft projects. Many of my everyday living tasks don’t get done when I work on a craft project. For me, feelings of enjoyment and accomplishment far outweigh the costs (i.e., sore neck & shoulders, blurry vision, migraine and fatigue) I experience.

What kinds of crafts to you do? What kinds of benefits do you receive from doing crafts?

© Angela Cramer, 2008

Tags: TBI, traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, post concussion syndrome, activities, therapeutic value of crafts, hobbies for the handicapped, arts & crafts, handicapped artist