Suggestion for a 'cheer up' type of model ?

[Balsabasher]

These are very sad times for me at the moment,my dear wife has declined to the point whereby her dementia has made her hardly recognise me ? it really hits you hard I can tell you especially as she has to go into a home very soon as her conditon has worsened to the point whereby she needs specialist help which I cannot give her,now here is where I need a bit of help someone today suggested why dont I make a wooden model of something really colourful to try and cheer her up and I thought what a good dea, but what can I make ?
Any ideas wil be considered and even if she is not receptive to it due to her dementia at least it will be my way of saying things and expressing my love with my skills,the results will be shown here when completed.
Thank you everyone I am sure that something will come to mind with your own helpful input.
Barry.

[Peter]

I'm sorry to here about your wife's dimentia. I have a fellow Freemason whose wife is going through dimentia right now. Seeing what he is going through I can honestly you have a good attitude. I would recommend something whimsical as well as colorful. How about a solid model kit bash? A spitfire bi-plane or something that looks  like its from those Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines. Just add lots of color. Maybe we should have a whimsical cook up.

Peter

[Balsabasher]

Lovely suggestions Peter,as you say colour is important,yes it is vital to remain strong and positive,these things are the signs of our tmes and I would like to thank you for your ideas all taken onboard.
Barry.

[Ken Pugh]

Barry,

My prayers are with you and your wife.  This has touched friends of mine as well.  Maybe something that can trigger a strong earlier memory?  Many Brits in the past have had a strong connection with the Spitfire as a symbol of national pride.  Is there a subject that represents an earlier part of her life, possibly that you share?

Ken Pugh

[Balsabasher]

What a lovely idea Ken,thank you for the suggestions they are much appreciated,yes she is regressing right back to her childhood,strange how these things work but all part of shutting down the wonderful mind.
Barry.

[cliff strachan]

Barry, may I suggest that, if possible, you could carve or otherwise somehow replicate a "stuffed animal" of some type. I'm putting forth this suggestion because just yesterday I visited my wife, from whom I've been separated for many years,  at a personal care home where she is a resident suffering from a very similar ailment. Most of the residents do seem to very much identify with and appreciate all types of small cuddly animals - both real and the imitation type.
It may be necessary to actually buy something of this nature.
Cliff.

[Mark Braunlich]

Barry,
I was thinking much along lines similar to what Cliff mentions....maybe carving a dog or cat that she may have identified with in happier times or a clown or some such human figure.   I've carved a few pilots for flying models, not as difficult as one may think.  Best wishes for you and her. 

[Balsabasher]

All great ideas,animals are good stimulation.
Barry.

[Paul]

Barry,
I know how hard your situation can be, hang in there.  Many years ago I carved an assortment of tropical fish for my sisters to use as Christmas ornaments.  They can be very colorful, and the shapes are pleasing and easy to carve.  They could be put together in a mobile so that their motion can be an interesting distraction.

Paul.

[Mark Braunlich]

Animal carvings don't have to be painted per the real animal.  Madison, Wisconsin has lots of these colourfully painted cows all over town on the streets and sometimes in stressfull locations like hospital waiting rooms where the children are easily distracted by them.  One can think of all kinds of similar carvings that would cheer up folks who need it.

[Peter]

We have the same thing in Vancouver except instead of cows it's been Killer Whales, Bears and Eagles.

Peter

[Balsabasher]

Mark that is beautiful,this really has given me inspiration to do something very similar,I think that it would be a most enjoyable thing to paint as well.
Thank you to everyone for their kind thoughts and god wishes,it really means a lot to me.
Barry.

[Mark Braunlich]

Barry,
Here's a link for you to see many more of the Madison cows:  http://brightbluestar.com/cop/cop.php

[Balsabasher]

Stunningly beautiful objects,the sheer variey of colours as well.
Barry.

[buccfan]

Barry, I am sorry to hear about your wife,I can't begin to imagine how it must feel for someone you love not to know who you are. Just a though about what to make is a mechanical wooden interactive toy. they have some on this site, you can download a pdf of the assembly instructions which shows all the parts. If you click on "click to see more" there is a pdf at the bottom of the page. My thoughts are  with you and your wife, Best wishes Paul J.
http://www.timberkitsus.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=1