Please Help!!

Hello everyone. I paint murals for children and I am in the process of starting a non-profit foundation to donate murals to children's hospitals. Since you are nurses, I thought you would have some insight on the way Art can help patients heal. Have any of you ever dealt with patients and art? I am looking to interview someone regarding the effect that art has on the healing process. Do you think that you could assist me ... this will help me find funding for my project.The questions are below and my email address is [email protected] or if you don't know the answers to this questions but you have a story about how art helped you or a loved one deal with their hospital stay, please email me so we can discuss this. Thanks.

(1) Does the existence of art in a child's room help a child heal? Do you have any stories to tell me?

(2) Can you give me any sort of feedback that would help prove the need for murals and other art in children's hospitals. I know that murals and art are soothing and uplifting for children, but I really want to know if there is any literature or professionals who can back me up.

(3) Are there any anecdotes you can give me from your vast experience on how art possibly healed or cheered up a child?...maybe a child or parent who said how soothing the art on the walls were or something of this sort. It would help me a lot.

(4) I also plan to visit hospitals and shelters and have children help me paint the murals. Can you tell me how this might be therapeutic for a child? Do you have any anecdotes for this too?

I really appreciate all of your feedback...I know it is a lot to ask, but it will really help my cause.

Thank you very much for your time.

Rachel