Help Hospitalized Veterans Finds Stamina and Discipline Through Arts & Crafts

It's hard to believe that something as simple as a model car can bring about healing in so many forms, but that's just what Teneshia Geiger-Davis who works at the Fort Gordon, Georgia Warrior In Transition Battalion (WTB) frequently witnesses

WINCHESTER, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/20/10 -- It's hard to believe that something as simple as a model car can bring about healing in so many forms, but that's just what Teneshia Geiger-Davis who works at the Fort Gordon, Georgia Warrior In Transition Battalion (WTB) frequently witnesses.

Davis, a certified occupational therapy assistant, says patients treated at Eisenhower Army Medical Center's Warrior Transition Clinic have suffered gunshot wounds, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, hand fractures and a variety of other injuries. The patients often have difficulty with their fine and gross motor skills, and if their hands do not function properly daily activities can become much more difficult. She indicates that the arts & crafts donated by Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) are making a profound and positive impact on the patients who are working on them.

"Some of our patients have difficulty concentrating and are easily frustrated, so there are kits specifically used for anger and stress management, traumatic brain injury patients, and for leisure exploration. Soldiers have reported that working on kits helps develop stamina and discipline and helps increase their concentration levels and coping skills," said Davis. "Other patients work on model cars or other crafts which require some degree of dexterity to help improve motor skills," Davis added.

Davis says working with wounded veterans is more than a job as she, too is a veteran, although she works at the WTB as a civilian. "I was given the advice, 'love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life.' As such, I've realized what is most important to me and that is working with our soldiers to improve their lives."

"The patients most enjoy the model cars, motorcycles, suncatchers and leather kits. Giving them something to do not only occupies their time, it gives them a purposeful activity to work on while they're here. We have many finished kits on display throughout the WTB Occupational Therapy Department that are absolutely beautiful. It gives our patients a sense of pride and accomplishment in creating these pieces. It can also be the first step in finding out that they can do things, accomplish things and find hope in the smallest of beginnings," concludes Davis.

HHV is the largest supplier of free therapeutic arts & crafts kits to our nation's VA and military medical facilities worldwide, with over 25 million kits donated since 1971. For more information on HHV products and services or for information on volunteering, visit www.hhv.org.

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