In my earlier guest blog for CPAC's Creative Minds in Medicine, I share Jory Aebly's story, who was a victim of violent crime, and a patient at MetroHealth.  

I have personally been able to see the results of the benefits of neurological music techniques, properly applied in rehabilitation with people who suffered brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries. It has truly been a rewarding experience to watch patients here at MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, recover and live a full and productive life once again.

Studying anatomy was never something that I took seriously or practiced much in art school, which is strange, considering my new fascination is with detailed and gorgeous medical illustrations of the 17^th and 18^th centuries. They reveal what fragile beings we truly are, and yet the macabre and gruesome nature of the subject is surrounded by baroque columns and fussy drapery worthy of an aristocratic country house. Although they might be gorgeous, these illustrations were meant only for an elite set of physicians, not the patient. Today, technology has made it easier for patients to have a doctor show them what is happening, not just tell them. This is especially helpful for someone like myself, who thinks in pictures, not words.

With all of the discussion surrounding the intersection of the arts and health I have to admit that I feel like for the last 20 years I have been living in the corner house where those streets come together.  From where I sit, our arts community is at the top when it comes to quality, effective, and innovative programming that affect the health and wellness of our residents.

About a year ago, I was asked to take a journey that had no set itinerary or final destination. I only received a general direction that said “write a paper on the intersection of arts and health in Cleveland.”

Being given free rein to explore such a vast topic is exciting, but it comes with the challenge of figuring out how to make sense of a myriad universe of knowledge that’s out there about it.