Thank you Amanda, for the commitment as a professional as we complete all we had hoped for !!!

Above are photos taken throughout the past four weeks. Amanda has worked both day filming the TTAP method Training Course Tapes and evenings co-writing the Certificate Course manual. We completed everything we had hoped for and more, here's to the future and seeing our hard work come to fruition in our publications, our research and your Ph.D. Studies! Good Luck as you start a new phase of life in Florida and much thanks,

Linda

Thank You Professionals and Friends as I prepare to leave Finland!

I want to thank my "Sister Friends" Anita and Kirsi, for the special times we had together during my educational travels. Both Anita and Kirsi guided me, accommodate me in their homes and their work places. I was able to speak to Therapists in Helinski, Sala and Turko who are starting to research the TTAP Method in Septermber of this year. It is the goal of the three of us to complete a research study that will be published internationally on how the TTAP method can possibly delay or slow the deterioration process.

Professionals graduate from TTAP Method (c) Certificate Course

Professionals in the field of Healthcare including: Nurses, gerontologists, Recreation Therapists and Art Therapists completed the first University Certificate Course of 25 hours-over 4 days on the TTAP method. Students were required to completed and present a case study utilizing the TTAP Method with an individual or within a group structure, as shown above.

****Final Group Experiential****

As closing ritual, participants were asked to create a self reflective sculpture and place it somewhere near, in or around the circle made by the green ribbon as shown above.

Participants formed a circle around the sculpture and were asked to state a word, phrase or feeling that the Course had on them personally or professionally. Comments from the group include such statements as; this course has offered me a different way in which to practice, I feel more connected to other therapists and have made new professional connections both nationally and internationally, this course helped me think about new ideas and what is really happening inside the brain!

Creation of an Educational Certificate Course and 5 DVD Educational Training Series on the TTAP Method

It has been a responsibility of my Fulbright Scholarship Award to create an Educational Certificate Program through HAMK University, which will be taught yearly. This manual is in it's final editing stages will be submitted to the National Organizations of the American Art Therapy Association, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, the American Society on Aging, as well as the New York State Department of Education for approval of Continuing Educational Credits in the United States. Along with this Certificate Course, it was my personal goal to also create an educational DVD training series. I thought it would be interesting for all who visit this blog daily, to see a small piece of this DVD that Amanda Alders has been editing steadfastly, which will be distributed upon academic review in 2010. These past 6 weeks have been full of promise for the field of Art/Therapeutic Recreation and it is my hope that these training DVD's will change the lives of all people living with or know someone with Alzheimer's Disease.

University of Tampere Invites me back in 2010 to teach and conduct research

In the final days of my Fulbright, Spring is ending and Summer vacations begin!

Below is a photo taken in front of the University of Tampere, where I was a guest lecturer last week to the Social Science School of Research. If it wasnt for Jari, I wouldnt be able to find my way, get to the book store for that special "tee shirt" that they never have, or pull my heavy bags along the street.

Throughout my 6 weeks in Finland, Jari and I have shared repeated conversations on how I was to get "where?", some great cold Finnish beers, and where to find the biggest falafels in town. But most importantly, kept me on time with his warm embracing smile. I will miss him as I start to pack up and head into my last week of teaching.

This Fulbright would not have been possible without the dedication of my dear friend who I have come to know over the past 5 years, Jari Aho. Below he is speaking to Sanna, my newest Finnish student who was responsible for picking me up at the airport, taking me grocery shopping and will drive me back to Helsinki next wednesday after my last class (Sanna, can you pick me up at 10 am instead of 11?) Thank you all for keeping me safe, feed and full of laughter on this wonderful journey!

Have a great Summer Vacation, on the lake surrounded by trees, flowers

and sounds of the Finnish summer!

Much love,

your friend and American family #2-

Linda

Dean announces that HAMK University of Applied Sciences will offer a course in the TTAP Method yearly.

The Dean announces department approval for the TTAP Method to be taught year round in the curriculum of HAMK University. Students will be advised and encouraged specifically in the area of Arts, Creativity and Wellness to do their final Thesis utilizing the TTAP Method, to further a coalition with the Hameelinna Alzheimer's Association. Students will study and conduct research at the specific sites choosen for the funding of the 3 year study starting in the Fall of 2009.

The Helsinki Alzheimer's Associations Staff, pictured above has worked closely with Dr. Levine Madori to create a pilot research study-dated to start September 2009- which will measure the variables of cognition, language, memory and recall with individuals in the Associations early onset community support program. It is the hope of both Anita Pohjanvuori, the Project Manager and Dr. Levine Madori that results of this study will be published internationally, mid to late 2010 and add to the efficacy research on Person Centered Programming and its effects on cognition and overall wellness.