Choosing Life Over Pain by Jan De Grass - Article in The Coast Reporter, Oct 16 - 2015

Evi Blueth is best known on the Coast for her fibre art – designs from nature printed on clothing and hand-painted silk scarves. She is frequently to be seen at craft fairs and festivals selling her creations and appears to be a lively, happy artisan. You wouldn’t know to see her that she has suffered for many years from fibromyalgia, a painful, fatiguing illness.

“You don’t see me when I’m sick because I’m in bed,” she says. Many of those who suffer a chronic pain illness have given up on their lives, retiring into their smaller, less active routines. When Blueth was diagnosed, she considered that she had the choice of giving up or doing something about it. “I chose life,” she said.

As a mental health rehab worker for 14 years, she helped others with mental and other chronic conditions by organizing dynamic recreation and art programs. She noticed that engaging in art projects, particularly when combined with walks in nature, seemed to help sufferers more than anything.

“The more colour, the more engagement, the more satisfied they were. I used all the arts: singing, dancing, hand printing, art and nature combined.”

The process motivated her to go back to school and earn her community counselling certificate. She graduated last year and did her practicum at Linwood House in Roberts Creek. She learned to engage people in visualization and story-telling with time to make art. This is not art therapy, she points out, as that is a clearly defined profession with specific goals. This is a type of occupational therapy that works to overcome the symptoms of chronic pain.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Blueth will offer an afternoon workshop at her home in Gibsons for sufferers of fibromyalgia or other chronic pain disabilities such as arthritis or lupus. It will focus on the emotional and psychological effects of the illnesses and take baby steps to move forward and explore strengths. Blueth believes that the mind has power over our health and that we can replace the negative associations with hope. Of course, art is involved and art supplies will be on hand with Blueth giving some examples using collage, pastels and paints. She hopes to continue to meet on a once a week basis with those who find the workshop helpful.

“This is art for creativity and for its healing aspect,” she said. “It brings the fun back into our lives.”

Register for the workshop by phoning 604-886-8097 or emailing eviblueth@gmail.com. Fee is $35. 

- See more at: http://www.coastreporter.net/entertainment/arts-entertainment/choosing-life-over-pain-

Nature and Healing

GOETHE, Conversations with Goethe

I must go to Nature disarmed of perspective and stretch myself like a large transparent canvas upon her in the hope that, my submission being perfect, the imprint of a beautiful and useful truth would be taken.

JOHN UPDIKE, The Centaur

We can walk so slowly, but each step in the hinterland offers us the gift of fresh air, the rush of a gust of wind, a sudden view of the ocean and mountains or a rabbit that crosses our path. 

It is these baby steps repeated that can transform and heal. 

Nature and Healing

If my client is willing to take a few slow baby steps into the magic beauty all around us, there is profound healing awaiting.

Nature and Healing

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 
― Albert Einstein

“

Nature, Art and Healing

Nature, Art and Healing

It is not unusual to see a few people sitting around the large, round table in my living room creating art. With a multi-media approach, the client is presented with coloured pastels, water colour paint, a few glue sticks for collage pictures, block stamps, paint brushes of all sizes and fabric. This is just one of my many techniques as a therapist and find  when using art as engagement, the client moves into the “play mode” and in doing so I have observed real mood changes. When we counsel using only verbal clues, we are not engaging the whole person. My approach as an artist and nature lover is to bring alternative ways for my client to communicate. The success has been astounding, and my hope is to continue with an innovative mixed media approach that makes therapy dynamic and more successful.

It is essential primarily to focus on the conflicts, personal issues, and problematic areas the client is struggling with. Relationship building, accessing information and creating a sense of trust and comfort always precede the less traditional therapeutic plans I know are useful. These plans are made as a team, at times involving a family member or significant other if the client wishes.

As a mental health rehab worker, I was astonished to discover that chronic, mentally ill patients were much improved during and following a hike in nature. They became increasingly relaxed. Their visible signs of agitation, such as repetitive gestures, or self harm, disappeared. They seemed calmed by an environment that gives so much but asks for so little. The combination of fresh air, exercise and natural beauty has a powerful, positive effect on most of us and is under utilized in residential facilities and one-on-one counselling.

The rhythmic movement of walking is meditative; when we move physically we mobilize our emotions and thoughts. This in itself can be transformative to a person experiencing depression. The exposure to sunshine (vitamin D) is a natural feel-good healer. Stepping up the pace helps produce serotonin which is regarded by some researchers as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance. A lot of studies have proved that a deficit of serotonin leads to depression.

Since people are so different, what may bring healing and an uplifting mood to one person might be annoying to another. My goal, then, is to empower my clients so that they design their own healing programs. I can offer suggestions, but the client has the clues; if I pay attention to what I hear, the sky is the limit.

Activity in all its forms is often overlooked. Healing is mysterious; if we listen to our client’s theme we may be able to find active ways that prompt change and mobilize feelings.

My approach to counselling is multi-faceted. I want to be the best possible advocate for each person. If we use our imagination effectively, we can find activities that may bring positive results faster than hours of talk therapy. My hope is to create opportunities collaboratively with my client considering his/ her personality, interests, passions, strengths and weaknesses.  As a fibre artist, ESL teacher, and avid hiker, I have endless ideas of how to connect a person with meaningful activities.

The process of moving gently and slowly from a place of vulnerability to a place of empowerment is not only doable, but exciting.  We can, together, creatively combine our efforts to solve problems and find peace.

Coping With Fibromyalgia or Chronic Pain

            Coping With Fibromyalgia, Chronic  Fatigue or Chronic Pain 
                                 Saturday Oct 24 – 1:00 – 5:00 PM 

                                576 North Fletcher Rd. Gibsons, BC 
                                                Cost $35.00 
                                        eviblueth@gmail.com 
                                               604 886 8097 

 This seminar will focus on the emotional and psychological effects of Fibromyalgia and chronic illness. It should not be considered a substitute for any medical procedures you have established with your doctor.

 The facilitation of this workshop is based on my 31-year struggle with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia; my current work as an independent counselor, as well as past work as a rehab counselor for people with mental illness; many years experience as an ESL teacher; and extensive travel and observations into how other cultures deal with these illnesses and difficulties. 

 I am living a productive life despite flare-ups and remissions and know that it is essential for people suffering to share their stories and experience the support and ideas of others. The session will begin with each person telling as much or as little as he or she chooses about his or her journey as we learn by sharing our success and our failures. We learn by hearing what worked for others. I feel we all have gifts to share and will facilitate this gathering so it is productive, relaxing, friendly and inspiring. Confidentiality will be respected at all times. The workshop will take place in my cozy spacious living room, and everyone will be encouraged to find the most comfortable posture they choose, even lying down is fine! I prefer to work with groups of 8 and hope to offer this program more than once. 

This 4-hour seminar is collaborative but will also include an innovative sampling of helping methods that I have found invaluable. These include visualization, the power of dance and music, art for creativity, and a discussion on the importance of “Nature Therapy” and daily exercise. 

The hope is that attendees who feel the ideas presented are useful will participate in an ongoing program that will delve more deeply into each aspect of gaining health. It will also be possible to work one on one in a more private setting during the following weeks. 

My philosophy is one of empowerment and I believe we often think we can’t do things that we can. Despite diminished energy and times of “brain fog” I have soldiered on and pursued many creative and humanitarian projects. There is a tendency to limit ourselves due to depression brought on by chronic pain and this sets up a cycle. The more pain we feel the less active we are. We stop seeing ourselves as vibrant individuals and become defined by our illness. The more we establish an identity as a sick person, “less than” the less active we become and the worse we feel. It takes a lot of motivation to do what is needed to feel better. Support, encouragement and specific plans are required. 

When attending the St. Paul’s Chronic Pain program many years’ ago, I was deeply impressed by the changes people experienced simply by doing daily supervised exercises, so much so that I now hike slowly, three hours once a week as well as swim and work out in the gym. 

We need to take baby steps from whatever our baseline is to move forward and explore our strengths. Our mind has “power over” and when we turn off our negative reel and replace it with hope, surprising things can happen. 

During this workshop we will have the opportunity to listen to what helped others from medications to vitamins, from long hot soaks in Epsom salts to laughter with good friends. 

Although the focus will be on seizing the potential we have to feel better, there will be time set aside to share how we cope when we are at our worst. 

This is not a “quick fix miracle” workshop. It is about focused intentions, hard work, and a belief that each one of us can find ways to improve our lives, feel stronger physically and mentally. The approach is holistic and I encourage each person to come with suggestions, feedback and an open mind. 

To register please contact: 

Evi Blueth  604-886-8097 or email

eviblueth@gmail.com

Testimonials

"I came to Mexico a burnt out wreck. From the top of my game as a journalist in the UK, yet in Mexico, my newly adopted country, I was at the bottom of the food chain. Evi came into my life on a friend's say so. I was coming through a nervous breakdown. Hiring her is one of the best moves I could have made. Why? My flight from the UK to a surprise retirement in Mexico put me in the same terrifying scenario as so many other immigrants. I was powerless and overwhelmed. My language skills were nil. I had no concept of the value of money. The traditional food was frighteningly foreign. Even the suggestion of a bus ride was a horror.. How would I pay? How would I be able to ask where to get off? My judgement was zero, even though back in the UK I had sat for many years as a judge. Evi saw me so much clearer than I saw myself. Her unique, deep understanding and years of experience with others, with my mental and physical bad news was as clear to her as sky writing. It was culture shock. She got to work. We started with half hour morning walks and vitally talks, followed by dance. Evi gentled me along as if breaking in a nervous horse. She could tell I was in an overall state of panic about everything and everyone. My hands shook badly and my mind was blank, she had to help me back to life by doing the simplest of tasks. Generous of mind and spirit Evi took out half a day just to help me experience my first Mexican bus ride. How much more hands on can you be? Now two years on, I am entirely back to my old self. Close friends say even better. Free of my profession's impossible pressures, I now revel in a new fabulous lifestyle. Smiley, bouncy and warm, Evi's counselling style is wonderfully creative and resourceful. And the joy is, like putting on a warm blanket, you feel the benefit immediately. Rosemary Grayson Feel free to contact me: ukplayone@yahoo.com