Ali Al Tunaiji, resident of the Center for the Happiness of Senior Citizens of the Ministry of Community Development, in the Emirate of Ajman, overcame a disease that afflicted him for 15 years, and he sat up and disrupted the movement of his hands completely, by following the instructions of the therapists who realized his love and passion for the art of drawing, and they adopted the treatment technique By drawing, to be part of the physical therapy used to strengthen his muscles, to restore their ability and activity again after many years of illness.
Hamadah Al Shamsi, director of the Happiness Center for Senior Citizens in Ajman, affiliated to the Ministry of Community Development, told Emirates Today: “When Al Tunaiji came to live in the center three years ago, he came in a seat because of a disease of his weaker muscles, to the point that he was unable to use his hands To eat food or carry things. ”
Al-Shamsi explained that Al-Tunaiji suffers from atrophy in the upper and lower muscles, and is very weak in it, but after entering the Happiness Center for Senior Citizens in 2017, and undergoing intensive physical therapy sessions, he managed to move his hands and used them in various motor activities, as a result of the contribution of the technique of drawing and coloring In his training, he succeeded in using his hands by 80%.
She added that the specialists discovered that he was a fan of drawing, as he showed great happiness when he was able to hold the pen and colors, and was able to draw and practice his hobby, so they decided to subject him to many sessions of drawing and coloring periodically, which led to the response of his muscles, and now he draws banner paintings daily.
Al-Shamsi indicates that his response to painting therapy, especially with the constant encouragement of specialists and the display of his drawings throughout the center, has reached the point where he is asking for certain types of colors, sizes and specific shapes of paintings that he likes to paint on.
On measuring the extent of the change that occurred in Al-Tunaiji's psychological state, Al-Shamsi said: “There is a clear improvement in his high moral and mood levels to a large degree, as drawing helped him not only to rely on his hands in his daily life activities, but also enabled him to express his thoughts and recall memories. Loved by himself, through the diagnosis of the forms he depicts, in addition to writing on some of them the thoughts that come to his mind related to the drawing in one way or another ».
She added that the effect was evident in the case of Al-Tunaiji, compared to his peers from the senior citizens with whom the same treatment technique was followed, because he is a fan of drawing, and has a passion for coloring, and he has a great will to confront his illness, while there are figures whose drawing does not matter, or some of them have a shame from Learn artistic activity like coloring.
She continued: «Al-Tunaiji expresses his happiness to the visitors and workers at the center with the achievement he achieved, and explains to them his drawings, and refers to the commentator on the walls in his room or throughout the center», stressing that the specialists interact with any request he has related to developing his abilities in drawing and coloring.
Exceptional conditions
The Center for Happiness of Senior Citizens accepts residence in it on exceptional terms, the most important of which is the absence of their children, or relatives of the first degree, who can be relied upon to care for them during their stay in their homes, where three senior citizens currently reside in it.
The Ministry provides services to senior citizens while they are in their homes, enabling them to lead an active life and integrate with other social groups.
Painting and coloring treatment
Scientific studies, which the Ministry of Community Development has relied on in applying the technique of drawing and coloring treatment, have proven that coloring is a contemplative activity in which the mind shares with the image, which works to calm the part of the brain related to the response to fear and tension, and stimulate the part related to logic and creativity, which is far from thinking about concerns , And it reduces stress levels and stress in people.
According to scientific research, coloring requires the sight to coincide with the fine motor skills of the hand, allowing the two hemispheres to work and communicate, enhance a range of diverse mental abilities, and protect individuals from dementia when they age.