For years, a young man with a traumatic brain injury presented a new, colorful drawing to me at the start of each appointment. He began making art to express himself after a serious accident affected his speech and because it made him happy to see the joy his work brought me and other recipients of his gifts.
In this issue, several stories illustrate how art, in myriad forms, can help people with neurologic conditions cope with their new challenges and move forward in ways that benefit them and others.
Comedian Richard Lewis says in our cover story that he resorts to humor to deal with some of his symptoms of Parkinson's disease. “If I freeze when friends are around, I'll turn it into a bit,” says the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor, explaining that he stands there and does a monologue to make everybody laugh. It's therapeutic for him and brings pleasure to them.
For anyone with Parkinson's disease who experiences freezing, dance may offer a way to reduce symptoms. In our Healthy Living story on exercise, the neurologist and movement disorders specialist Diviya Kaul, MD, advises her patients to “hear the music in your head” to help them step out of a freeze as if in a dance. Mischwa Murphy-McAdams—the artistic director and founder of a dance company (Bronze Girl Productions) as well as a teacher and performer of West African, Jamaican, and Haitian dance—describes how dancing restored her confidence after her diagnosis.
Our profile subject, English professor Kathy O'Shea, collected essays, poetry, fiction, and a play by prominent writers into an anthology to increase understanding of migraine. In Pictures of You, we chat with Laura Bundesen, an artist who has been diagnosed with vestibular neuritis and whose stepmother had Parkinson's-related dementia. Bundesen depicts brains using embroidery, enamel jewelry, and other mixed media and is working on a series of digital designs. We also have a feature on playwright Sarah Ruhl, who describes her long journey with Bell's palsy, which has affected her ability to smile. She says she's grateful that her condition didn't affect her writing.
As these stories reflect, people rely on the performing, visual, and literary arts to live well with neurologic disease. Learning new skills like dancing fosters neuroplasticity, the ability of neural pathways in the brain to grow and reorganize. Even if you don't have a medical condition, or if you are caring for someone who does, artistic expression can lift your spirits and promote brain health.
Also in this issue, you'll find an informative feature on visual loss and its many causes, as well as an in-depth story on dystonia, a disorder that can affect most muscles of the body or just one part, such as the hand, the jaw, or the vocal cords. Some types of dystonia are triggered by activities like writing or running. Its causes are often not known, and no cure exists, but many treatments can ease symptoms.
Finally, I'd like to thank you for answering my request to share your stories about grief. I was deeply moved by your letters. And now I'm going to ask again: If art has brought you healing, please tell us about it at BrainandLife@wolterskluwer.com. For those of you who think you lack talent, just give it a try. You may be surprised by the creativity your effort inspires.
