Scrolling as therapy

[Neal Moore]

I've been teaching a friend of mine the fine art of scrolling for the past few days. His young daughter passed away several months ago and that has been terribly difficult for him. We're working on a segmentation/intarsia interpretation of one of Cathy Wise' cats in the "Ultimate Scrolling Patterns" issue. He's doing a great job on the project. He told me today as he was leaving that the few hours he has spent at the saw these last few days is the only time his thoughts have not been depressing. I've frequently joked with several members here that scrolling was theraputic but never fully realized the truth in that statement.

[scrolldog]

Neal,
Your darn straight that its a kind of therapy,Because after having bypass surgery in 2001 I told my better half that I always wanted to learn fretwork scrolling and now after a loooonnnggg week at work I find solace in my shop where the stresses of the week magically disappear.

[Gill]

Several years ago I found myself working voluntarily for a charity which helped rehabilitate people who had suffered head injuries. There was a great emphasis placed on physical activities to re-programme the brain to learn hand-eye co-ordination. Most of the clients benefited from these activities enormously although there were a number who didn't, mostly young males. They didn't feel comfortable participating in activities which they felt might be suitable for the female clients and the preponderance of female therapists who worked with them. These guys wanted to do something that they felt would not compromise their masculinity.

It's up to other people to judge whether their feelings were acceptable or not; I regarded their feelings as a reality which posed an obstacle to their recovery and I was more concerned with their health than any political correctness. So I sought permission to introduce them to my Spiralux scroll saw, a saw which works on an electromagnetic principle. It's the same sort of saw as those used by emergency workers when cutting through motor car panels to free trapped passengers without cutting the passengers - when flesh comes into contact with the saw, it stops cutting. At first I had some problems convincing my supervisors that this saw was as safe as I claimed, but after a brief demonstration I was allowed to introduce it to our troublesome young males.

The effect was astonishing. Suddenly these men were doing woodwork, doing shop. They regained their confidence, their co-ordination improved dramatically and their social skills developed. It warmed my heart to see them start out barely able to hold wood on the saw table but after a few months they were able to cut recognisable shapes such as letters and animals. I was particularly moved when one of them broke down in tears as he held the outline of a bull he had cut (it was a present for his mother, born under the star sign of Taurus) and thanked me for everything I had done to help him.

I lost touch with the charity when I moved away to set up home with my future husband, but I've never forgotten those desperate souls who overcame the most enormous handicaps through scrolling. Although this thread is really about how scrolling is therapeutic to the souls of able-bodied people, the greatest reward scrolling has ever bought me has been when I saw it used as therapy to bring hope to those broken men who seemed doomed to crippled and unfulfilled lives.

Gill

[JohnB]

G'day all,
As those regular member know, I have a problem with severe depression and anxiety.
I can relate to all of the sentiments above and Gill's is especially touching.

My shed was my, and still is, my best therapy. And in the shed is of course a scroll saw

Well, nuff said.

[wwalker47]

I Agree with all of you, when I'm scrolling I don't think of anything else. It's the most calming thing I do. Even when I break something or saw through a freat (and I know none of you have done that).

I have never though is as therapeutic.

Neal, I am glad to see your friend is doing better.

-Bill

[Plaquerd]

The shop is my therapy "couch", the scroll saw is the therapist, but any type of woodwork is therapy to me. I had some second thoughts about getting back into woodwork for a living in the millwork shop not long after starting there. But I found that even though it is my everyday job, it too is therapeutic. Wood has been my saving grace from my teen years and still is............without it I wouldn't be. Thanks Mr. Couillard.

[groverd]

People i talk to at bazaar's are always amazed when i tell them that scrolling i (one learned!) is very calming and relaxing. Whether after heart surgery (11 years ago), cardiac arrest (6 weeks ago) or any of a series of problems i can not wait to get back to the shop and make something, , most relaxing place i own. .

[minowevie]

I am very warmed buy this thread, my shope is my space to creat, and , shar my bounty with others. but to teach, is something beyound . to shar your space, and let someone else learn from you, now that is awsome. you have to move over to do that. not only shar your tools, wood, experteas, and time. now thats giving. I aplaud you Neal. and Gill. I have leared from you too. believe it or not. you have helped me also. giving me your time. and friendship, and understanding. Not to forget anyone else. you are all teachers. and friends, so if you don't get enouph thancks. I thank you. your friend Evie

[honeycow]

When I need to think things out, my humble little shop near the calf barn serves me very well. Sometimes I just go in there in the dark and sit. I think its the smell of it and the sense of accompishment and solitude that gives such pleasure.
Therapy it is for sure!!!!