A 25th Anniversary Story by Paula Wanker

I found the Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness through my family’s long history with Normandale Lutheran Church.  I have found the Center to be a great resource for finding housing, medical information, and other knowledge for my role as a caregiver to my husband and my parents. I took the Powerful Tools for Caregivers class in Waconia, which was presented by the Center and have been recommending the class to people I meet. Caregiving consultations for my husband combined with tools from the class have been remarkable.  It has helped me determine the next steps and answer hard questions such as:

Does he stay home? 

Does he go somewhere?

Do I call someone to come in and help me?

And when?

I currently live in Waconia, which is about 50 minutes from Edina, but drove in for the Creative Workshop for Caregivers held in March. I am submitting some of my art for the Caregiver Stories Booklet the Center is assembling for the 25th Anniversary in hopes that my journey and my art can help inspire others. I’m always trying to get people to be creative when going through hard times.

Below is an additional technique that I use in my own life that I would like to share with other caregivers.

Materials needed: Drawing paper & Sharpie pen.

My husband, who has Parkinson’s and mild dementia, likes to have me nearby. I love doing art throughout the day and found Neurographic Art online. It’s something anyone can do, requires few materials, and is portable. For me, this is a time to commune with God, through prayer or worship as I draw.

Caregiving can produce feelings of chaos, anxiety, and depression. Think about how you’re feeling and use a pencil or marker to start drawing lines.

Get lost in it! Don’t think it has to be right. There is no right or wrong!

Continue to add lines; be fluid until it feels right to you.

Next, you will round each sharp corner with the marker so it’s softer and looks organic.

You can also paint or watercolor it if you choose to do so.