WTB occupational therapy rocks rehabilitation with music and art

Soldiers and staff from Fort Campbell's Warrior Transition Battalion recently learned first-hand how music and art can aid the rehabilitation process.

The unit's occupational therapy division hosted an open house where participants could sample WTB programs that rely on creativity and expression.

"It's all about putting a paint brush in their hand, or giving them a ball of clay and then letting them work through whatever they want to do to express themselves," said Patrice Johnson-Winters, who heads up the Resiliency Through Art Program at the post's Guenette Arts and Crafts Center. "Sometimes people who are suffering have a really hard time expressing themselves because there are no words. Art allows Soldiers to express themselves without words and it can be very therapeutic."

WTB Soldiers already participating in the art program showcased some of their work at the open house for their fellow battalion members to admire. But, the biggest sensation at the open house was an activity organized by Johnson-Winters. She set up a table with paint, brushes and rocks so participants could try an art activity for themselves by decorating rocks, like those popular for hiding and seeking. Before long, every seat at the table was occupied and Soldiers and staff were enjoying creating.

"I actually really liked it. It was the first time I ever had the opportunity to come and do the art scene. It took my mind away for a while," said Master Sgt. Shannon Glasgow, a Warrior in Transition at the battalion. Glasgow joined the group and painted a ladybug for a family member, "I painted thinking of my daughter. We call her buggy. As I transition back home this is something that we can do together."

"There's a therapeutic part of art and music that can relax your mind," said WTB Occupational Therapist Wade Binion, event coordinator. "We had an art activity here for people to participate in that was amazing. We had a lot of positive feedback. Soldiers initially thought it was just painting but soon found it was so relaxing. The (participants) said they didn't think about the office or other distractions and simply enjoyed expression through art."

Staff members from the battalion also participated in the painting session, which allowed them to discover the benefits of the program for themselves. "If the staff value what is going on then they can promote the program and push their Soldiers to partiicpate," said Binion.

"I never understood that concept until right now. Now that I'm doing it, my mind is just closed off to whatever is going on at the office. It is very relaxing because I'm very focused on this, so I can see how this can help our Warriors in Transition with all they have going on," said Capt. Wole Fadiya, a nurse case manager at the WTB. Fadiya sat and painted several rocks and said the painting demonstration was a positive experience that had him feeling good.

Another program offered through occupational therapy featured at the open house uses music to help Soldiers focus and express themselves. Sounds of Acoustic Recovery gives Soldiers an opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument in a positive social setting while building camaraderie with fellow Soldiers.

"You can get occupational therapy from guitar playing because there is fine motor coordination and dexterity and attention, but there is a therapeutic part of relaxing your mind, hanging out with other Soldiers that can be very beneficial," said Binion.

All Soldiers under medical care at the WTB are evaluated by the occupational therapy division to determine which OT programs will benefit them. Some programs are optional so allowing WTB Soldiers and staff to sample different programs gives them a chance to discover and explore new interests.

"They find something they like to do here and it can carry over into their civilian life. They find connections with other Soldiers and connections with the future. It's very exciting because it opens up a new venue for our Soldiers that they may never have discovered," said Binion.

The Army uses occupational therapy for a variety of conditions including the rehabilitation of physical conditions, work and community reintegration, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, adaptive coping strategies and neuro-musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment.