Magician Kevin Spenser and Alycia from Mosaic perform a magic trick at a recent Healing of Magic show at Maplewood.

CANTON -- On May 21, United Helpers and the Ogdensburg Command Performance brought magician Kevin Spenser to Maplewood Campus for an event that saw residents and staff using magic for therapy.

Spenser is a veteran of the magic community and since the late-1980s. He uses his talents to help people dealing with a wide range of difficulties, including those recovering from serious physical injuries and the mentally ill.

His “Healing of Magic” program began after a serious car accident put him in physical and occupational therapy for several months in 1988.

During that time, Spenser said he realized how difficult it can be for patients to stay positive and motivated during treatment. He and his wife, Cindy, developed the program to help others thrive in their recovery.

The goal is to offer participants a tool to cope with and overcome their limitations, regardless of what form they take.