Army Veteran With Rare Form Of Blood Cancer Turns To Art Therapy And Discovers New Passion

Art is everywhere, and it is for everyone. Although some may not necessarily notice it at first, everyone has the ability to make art. In this story, a 73-year-old Army veteran shows the world that it is never too late to start getting creative.

PHOTO: Facebook/Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Ned Germany, a 73-year-old veteran who had never tried his hand at creating art before, did not think of himself as an artist, but when he was diagnosed in 2017 with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare form of blood cancer, he turned to art therapy to help him through his journey of healing.

“It eases my mind, and I’m able to focus on what I’m doing rather than the pain of what I’m going through,” Ned said.

PHOTO: Facebook/Cleveland Clinic Akron General

In an interview with News 5, Ned Germany admitted that he was never interested in art and that it was simply not his thing. When he was diagnosed with his condition, doctors told him that he had about six months to live. Surpassing the six-month mark and a year later, doctors then told him that he’d be gone in 30 days.

“I said, ‘No, I’m not. I’m not dying. I’m gonna live,'” Ned said.

After his diagnosis, Ned Germany was introduced to art therapy.

“I was in so much pain and struggling with a lot of anxiety and depression. I was willing to try anything at that point! I found art therapy has helped me tremendously, both during my treatments and at home. Art helps me relax, explore my imagination and ultimately allows me to escape my current situation,” Ned said.

PHOTO: Youtube/News 5 Cleveland

Since being introduced to art therapy, Ned Germany has made over 100 pieces of artwork. He practices art therapy even while receiving his chemotherapy treatments and said that “If I’m gonna sit for three of four hours, I might as well be busy.”

Amber Gano, the art therapist that introduced Ned to the creative therapy, said that the important part of the therapy is that patients just need to have an open mind and a willingness to participate.

“It’s more about the many therapeutic benefits the creative process can provide. The art-making process engages the non-verbal parts of our brain and can help people express emotions that are too difficult to verbalize. The verbal part of the brain is engaged when patients are able to talk about how they symbolically or metaphorically relate to what they created,” Amber said.

You can see some more of Ned’s artworks in the video below.

Provide Mammograms

Support those fighting Breast Cancer at The Breast Cancer Site for free!

Whizzco