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Art therapy helps stressed out cancer survivors
Published on Mon, Feb 04, 2008 at 21:02 in 
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New Delhi: A 5-year-old, a survivor of leukemia since the age of 3, Ansh spent his childhood was spent dealing with the painful chemotherapy. And although he is slowly regaining his health, something as crucial was lost in the process.
“It is the childhood that's lost. There is just so much stress and fear even while just being happy, playing with other children,” say his parents.
However, Ansh's parents did find help. Their treating doctor suggested they join a support group called Aastha.
‘Aastha’, practices art therapy for children suffering from leukemia or such similar cases. These paintings are analysed by a team of psychologists and counselors.
“We try and understand these painting, their feelings through it and then address these issues with them,” Paediatric Oncologist. And based on this feedback, the parents also get to know about their kids.
“These support groups help us understand how our children feel and how to interpret it. It makes it easier for us to connect to them at their level,” says Ansh’s parent.
In fact, it was this need for emotional support beyond just the medical aspect that made 42-year old Harmala Gupta, establish a support group called ‘Can Support’.
“I think ‘Can Support came up because of my own experience with cancer,” says Harmala Gupta.
At Can Support, the patients are provided with home care and day care support. Other activities include yoga etc.
Many people at Can Support say that it taught them to fight back and not give up. “They give us the courage that helps us survive,” says a member of Can Support.
One thing most people believe is that life changes drastically after the word cancer gets attached with it. However, support groups set up by those who've gone through the traumatic experience themselves, help the survivors understand that there is life after cancer.
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‘Can Support’ is a life-supporting, life-enhancing, life-inspiring and life-promoting initiative.
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