Hi .
I was just thinking (I know , that's dangerous ! ) . How many of you out there use your talents to help VETERANS or just ordinary folks who are disabled Gosh , I hate that word ! I too am physically challenged (you can't see it , but I am ). I used my stash to bring my hands and arms back to over ninety percent of normal , years ago .Now they are at ninety-five percent and holding .Why ? Well , model building of course .This keeps my fingers and hands working normally , I just have to adjust for the shakes once in a while .
Now , go to a VETERANS hospital . Watch the VETERANS in the recreation center trying to build something or color or paint . Watch how they do it . Then when your heart is full of " HOW CAN I HELP " go to the offices of VOLUNTEER SERVICES and see if you can convince them they need you . You may be , as I was , successful . Then the fun really starts .
You have to follow V.A. Rules .NO SHARPS for the patients .No REGULAR ENAMELS (acrylics only ) and no SPRAYING on V.A. grounds .Now build your training kit accordingly. Acrylics and sanding tools from your local hobby shop or beauty supply shop . Now cutters . Did you now that veterans are allowed toe and fingernail cutters ? AHA , a form of sprue cutter !
Now paint brushes . Buy at least twelve sets of the mid - grade paint brush sets at HOBBY LOBBY or MICHEALS .Good , now you all can paint at the same time . One week painting class and the next assembly class .See , it only gets easier .You will sit there fascinated at how those fellows and ladies use prosthetics that replace hands ! Believe me you will leave with a sense of satisfaction and that you did something good EVERY DAY you do this .
You can expand this if your local hospital has an inside therapy (recreational ) department . The patients (those who are not buried in self pity ) will respond and you will again be surprised at how eagerly they await your visit .While doing this , go to the AMERCAN LEGION post near you (I have found this particular orginization to be very receptive ) to HELPING with model acquisition whether it be donated , opened , kits or brand spanking new ones . This is of course for your VETERANS as you will start calling them .
This CAN and does sometimes snowball as well .When I first started doing this many years ago I was asked to come to the community center and have a class . these centers have of course spread out and some are " old folks centers " Sometimes they are challenged enough to try model building because it's something they've never done . Can you imagine back then (in the seventies ) when my class that had ALL bought a discounted MONOGRAM aircraft , car or armor kit and surprised me with weathered , polished or battle damaged kits when finished and I had just taught them the basics ?
How did they do it ? It (the model building ) triggered memories that had been dormant for years . They used pictures from books and magazines to get referrences they wanted . I felt very satisfied when these folks won ribbons and plaques at the local I.P.M.S. sanctioned show and contest .After that they went wild with their building and their imaginations .What a great end to this story . VETERANS can do , so can " OLD PHARTS " like me .Give it a try if you are bored or want something challenging and rewarding to do In the community. You may not get off to a screaming start , but bang enough doors and you will succeed . You won't be sorry . MODEL ON ! ! ! Tanker-Builder . p.S. I apologise if I've said this elswhere .