Art Without Boundaries™ A consortium of caring artists creating a circle of compassion |
Documented Testimonies |
The Art Without Boundaries Foundation has tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code TM 2005 Art Without Boundaries™ and MnemeTherapy™ are both trademarks with all rights reserved. You may not copy or reproduce anything from this website without written permission from AWBF Art Without Boundaries Foundation, Inc. Home Office: (Toll free) 866-938-6546 webmaster |
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Huntington's Disease Patient- retains smooth movement Jeffrey is 37 and has had Huntington's disease* for 14 years. He is a very intelligent man and has his master's degree. In February of 2008 he participated in a session of MnemeTherapy at an adult day care center. Pre-session, his arms jerked uncontrollably and it was difficult for him to write or feed himself. After the session, he was able to move his arms freely without jerking and walk much better. This video clip (above) is after his second session, one month later in March 08. *Huntington's disease is an inherited condition characterized by abnormal body movements, dementia, and psychiatric problems. For more information: Huntington's Disease Society of America. www.hdsa.org 2/ 08 |
Although the goal of MnemeTherapy™ is to provide a rewarding experience, documented testimonies show significant improvement in some clients after just one session in:
Click here to read our documented testimonies or about the amazing changes in our autistic students What is MnemeTherapy? MnemeTherapy™uses everyday pleasures such singing, movement, painting and story telling in a unique combination to stimulate dramatic changes in the brain. MT is not a cure, nor is it a psychological process like art therapy. Read more about Directed Painting™ |
| AWB strives to protect the privacy of our clients. Photos and first names have been used with permission |
"Since my stroke, I've seen everything upside down. (a condition known as Inverted Vision) It was difficult trying to make things out and it affected my balance. Since I participated in a session of MnemeTherapy in February, I've started seeing everything right side up and it's stayed that way." -Ken, Atlantis Health care, Lantana, Florida Below you can hear an interview in April, 2008, with Founder, Noell Hammer talking to Ken about what happened during his first session of MnemeTherapy™ |
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October 2003
"Miss Mary" Aiken, SC
Reporting: RN, Director of Programming
"Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Before painting with the MnemeTherapist, she was angry and depressed. She
seldom came out of her room, did not interact with other residents, did not participate in activities, did not eat well."
"After her first session of MnemeTherapy™ Mary seemed to wake up. She started to come out of her room for most of the day,
interact with other residents, eat better, gain weight, take more interest in activities and had an insatiable desire to color and
paint. This lasted until her death (nearly a year later)."
July 2005 "Irving" Adult Day Center, Florida
Person Reporting: Program Nurse
"A former business man, our patient spent all of his time sitting alone
at one of the tables, briefcase open, shuffling papers around. He was
demanding of the staff, continually asking for a meeting with them. He
had very little interaction with the other patients and didn't willingly
participate in activities.
At the end of the session, he was smiling and after his painting was
shown to the group, sat down in the circle of chairs and participated in
a game. Since that time and until his death, Irving willingly participated
in group activities, visited with other patients and ceased "working"
alone at the table. He was more content and smiled more often."
Person Reporting: Program Nurse
"A former business man, our patient spent all of his time sitting alone
at one of the tables, briefcase open, shuffling papers around. He was
demanding of the staff, continually asking for a meeting with them. He
had very little interaction with the other patients and didn't willingly
participate in activities.
At the end of the session, he was smiling and after his painting was
shown to the group, sat down in the circle of chairs and participated in
a game. Since that time and until his death, Irving willingly participated
in group activities, visited with other patients and ceased "working"
alone at the table. He was more content and smiled more often."
| "Started to Participate in Activities" |
"On Location" by Irving, one of the producers of the first
four James Bond films
four James Bond films
| "More Aware of Surroundings" "No Longer Combative" |
| Patient "seemed to wake up" |
Inverted Vision Corrected |
November, 2005 Female, Adult Day Center, Florida
Person Reporting: Director of Adult Day Health care
Our patient was unresponsive and generally spoke in
disjointed one word sentences. The best way to describe her
was 'disconnected.' She did not make eye-contact or appear
to recognize faces. She was apprehensive and had poor
spatial acuity, often bumping into things in her path. She
could not follow, or understand verbal instructions and did
not participate in activities.
At the end of the session, she was actually smiling, singing
and dancing. She made eye contact and appeared to
recognize faces. She was able to follow a complex set of
instructions. She smiled and interacted with her peer group
during "presentation" (of her work). The next day she
recognized me from across the room and came over,
maneuvering around a table and wanted to dance. At the end
of our dance she said, "I danced myself out of my shoes!"
Everyone has seen a huge difference in her. She is speaking
in complete sentences with appropriate comments and
seems much happier and more aware of her surroundings."
Person Reporting: Director of Adult Day Health care
Our patient was unresponsive and generally spoke in
disjointed one word sentences. The best way to describe her
was 'disconnected.' She did not make eye-contact or appear
to recognize faces. She was apprehensive and had poor
spatial acuity, often bumping into things in her path. She
could not follow, or understand verbal instructions and did
not participate in activities.
At the end of the session, she was actually smiling, singing
and dancing. She made eye contact and appeared to
recognize faces. She was able to follow a complex set of
instructions. She smiled and interacted with her peer group
during "presentation" (of her work). The next day she
recognized me from across the room and came over,
maneuvering around a table and wanted to dance. At the end
of our dance she said, "I danced myself out of my shoes!"
Everyone has seen a huge difference in her. She is speaking
in complete sentences with appropriate comments and
seems much happier and more aware of her surroundings."
November, 2005 Female, Adult Day Center, Florida
Person Reporting: Manager
"Our patient did not respond to verbal requests such as
stand up, sit down, take this. We had to feed her and assist
with toileting. It generally took two aides to help with toileting,
as she would become frightened and fight the person trying
to help. It took some time to get her to stand up and come to
the painting table. She had to be physically cued and the
same was true when it came to painting, she didn't reach for
the brush and Noell had to work with her for a time to even
hold the brush."
"At the end of the session, we were amazed when asked
once, she quickly got out of her chair without any physical
cueing. She was very pleased with her painting, but the real
surprise came when the aide took her to the restroom, she
cooperated completely, even assisting with her own clothes.
The aide kept crying, 'it's a miracle!' At snack time we were
further amazed when she fed herself."
Person Reporting: Manager
"Our patient did not respond to verbal requests such as
stand up, sit down, take this. We had to feed her and assist
with toileting. It generally took two aides to help with toileting,
as she would become frightened and fight the person trying
to help. It took some time to get her to stand up and come to
the painting table. She had to be physically cued and the
same was true when it came to painting, she didn't reach for
the brush and Noell had to work with her for a time to even
hold the brush."
"At the end of the session, we were amazed when asked
once, she quickly got out of her chair without any physical
cueing. She was very pleased with her painting, but the real
surprise came when the aide took her to the restroom, she
cooperated completely, even assisting with her own clothes.
The aide kept crying, 'it's a miracle!' At snack time we were
further amazed when she fed herself."
| From our File |
Full, signed reports are on file at AWBF
Verbal skills increased
Reported by wife: Male patient in Adult Day Center (ADC).
Prior to session, patient had visited numerous doctors and speech therapists with the same diagnosis: he will never speak
again. After one MT session he was able to count to 10 and tell his wife he loved her.
Documented by Activity Director, female stroke victim (ADC).
Prior to session, patient responded verbally to all questions with "yes." Post session patient could clearly say her name and "I
want you."
Documented by Administrator, (ADC)
Male stroke victim did not speak prior to session. Post session he could say "I love you" and his wife's name. He also showed
a change of expression, which he didn't before.
Documented by RN (ADC)
Male patient was unable to answer questions. His answers were vague and rambling. He was unable to count past two. After
session he could answer questions such as where he was born and his wife's name. He was easily able to count to 10. He
showed much more expression in his face and made direct eye contact
Documented by Activity Director- (ADC)
Male patient speech was disorganized and rambling. He could not respond to a question. After session he could respond
correctly to questions about his life and his wife's name.
Mobility Increased, stiffness decreased
Documented by Activity Director in ADC
Prior to session patient took very slow, shuffling steps. It took a long time to get him anywhere. After the session, he walked
with longer strides, picking up his feet and moving much more quickly. He also seemed to stand up much straighter. He was
very pleased by this.
Documented by Activity Director in Nursing facility
Prior to session, Male patient moved very slowly with a walker. He drug his feet and inched along. After the session he moved
much more quickly and took longer strides, picking up his feet more.
Documented by Administrator, ADC
Male patient diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease was very rigid. Arms and legs did not bend easily, arms were drawn up to his
chest and he was twisted to the side. His speech was garbled. After a 30 minute session he had full range of movement in
arms and legs and said a complete, clear sentence to his wife.
Documented by Administrator, ADC
Male stroke victim's arm had little mobility and jerked violently when he tried to extend or used it. After session, he was able to
extend it fully and move it smoothly without jerking. He also regained use of his hand.
Spatial acuity increased
Documented by Manager, ADC
When patient began session, she seemed disconnected to her environment. There was no eye contact, she did not respond
to verbal instructions or visual stimuli and did not show any type of emotion on her face. After one 30 minute session, she
responded correctly to verbal instruction, made eye contact, was able to find and grasp something presented to her, seemed
to enjoy the painting experience, showed expression on her face and even comprehended and laughed at a joke.
Documented by RN (ADC)
Male patient who received spoon feeding was do anything for himself. He was unable to communicate or respond to
instructions. After session, he could respond to instructions, grasp the brush when presented, respond verbally and sing.
Combativeness decreased
"Something's happening here: Dementia patients make connections through art" Reporter: Jennifer Jones, Anderson
Independent-Mail, Anderson SC February 25, 2006
Angela Childers, a resident care tech at Riverside Living Center, usually had a difficult time with one of the residents. The
woman was very combative, hitting and biting those trying to dress her or bathe her. After a session with Ms. Hammer,
however, something in the woman seemed to change.
"I thought she was a different patient. It was like night and day. She’s had a wonderful, wonderful day. I wouldn’t have believed
it had I not seen it," Ms. Childers said. "She’s happy and she’s told me she loves me, I’ll bet six times today."
Carla Heritage, executive director of the Riverside Living Center, said there are no words to describe the differences she’s
seen in the residents. "I just wish everyone could see this. The families are just amazed." she said.
Verbal skills increased
Reported by wife: Male patient in Adult Day Center (ADC).
Prior to session, patient had visited numerous doctors and speech therapists with the same diagnosis: he will never speak
again. After one MT session he was able to count to 10 and tell his wife he loved her.
Documented by Activity Director, female stroke victim (ADC).
Prior to session, patient responded verbally to all questions with "yes." Post session patient could clearly say her name and "I
want you."
Documented by Administrator, (ADC)
Male stroke victim did not speak prior to session. Post session he could say "I love you" and his wife's name. He also showed
a change of expression, which he didn't before.
Documented by RN (ADC)
Male patient was unable to answer questions. His answers were vague and rambling. He was unable to count past two. After
session he could answer questions such as where he was born and his wife's name. He was easily able to count to 10. He
showed much more expression in his face and made direct eye contact
Documented by Activity Director- (ADC)
Male patient speech was disorganized and rambling. He could not respond to a question. After session he could respond
correctly to questions about his life and his wife's name.
Mobility Increased, stiffness decreased
Documented by Activity Director in ADC
Prior to session patient took very slow, shuffling steps. It took a long time to get him anywhere. After the session, he walked
with longer strides, picking up his feet and moving much more quickly. He also seemed to stand up much straighter. He was
very pleased by this.
Documented by Activity Director in Nursing facility
Prior to session, Male patient moved very slowly with a walker. He drug his feet and inched along. After the session he moved
much more quickly and took longer strides, picking up his feet more.
Documented by Administrator, ADC
Male patient diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease was very rigid. Arms and legs did not bend easily, arms were drawn up to his
chest and he was twisted to the side. His speech was garbled. After a 30 minute session he had full range of movement in
arms and legs and said a complete, clear sentence to his wife.
Documented by Administrator, ADC
Male stroke victim's arm had little mobility and jerked violently when he tried to extend or used it. After session, he was able to
extend it fully and move it smoothly without jerking. He also regained use of his hand.
Spatial acuity increased
Documented by Manager, ADC
When patient began session, she seemed disconnected to her environment. There was no eye contact, she did not respond
to verbal instructions or visual stimuli and did not show any type of emotion on her face. After one 30 minute session, she
responded correctly to verbal instruction, made eye contact, was able to find and grasp something presented to her, seemed
to enjoy the painting experience, showed expression on her face and even comprehended and laughed at a joke.
Documented by RN (ADC)
Male patient who received spoon feeding was do anything for himself. He was unable to communicate or respond to
instructions. After session, he could respond to instructions, grasp the brush when presented, respond verbally and sing.
Combativeness decreased
"Something's happening here: Dementia patients make connections through art" Reporter: Jennifer Jones, Anderson
Independent-Mail, Anderson SC February 25, 2006
Angela Childers, a resident care tech at Riverside Living Center, usually had a difficult time with one of the residents. The
woman was very combative, hitting and biting those trying to dress her or bathe her. After a session with Ms. Hammer,
however, something in the woman seemed to change.
"I thought she was a different patient. It was like night and day. She’s had a wonderful, wonderful day. I wouldn’t have believed
it had I not seen it," Ms. Childers said. "She’s happy and she’s told me she loves me, I’ll bet six times today."
Carla Heritage, executive director of the Riverside Living Center, said there are no words to describe the differences she’s
seen in the residents. "I just wish everyone could see this. The families are just amazed." she said.
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Read the whole article by clicking here
| The Pecan Grove by Charles |
This short video is a wonderful example of improvement
in receptive aphasia, the ability to understand the
spoken word; expressive aphasia, the ability to use
words correctly and agnosia, being able to interpret
the senses, in this case, sight.
Listen to Irving's confused sentences while painting and
then how clearly he spoke after the session. Note how
he focused in on the finished painting and seemed to
see it for the first time.
We were excited that his wife was visiting and we could
document her enthusiastic assessment of the session.
3/10/09
in receptive aphasia, the ability to understand the
spoken word; expressive aphasia, the ability to use
words correctly and agnosia, being able to interpret
the senses, in this case, sight.
Listen to Irving's confused sentences while painting and
then how clearly he spoke after the session. Note how
he focused in on the finished painting and seemed to
see it for the first time.
We were excited that his wife was visiting and we could
document her enthusiastic assessment of the session.
3/10/09
| Young client helped after one session |