I wanted to share with you some work from a very special group here on dA. Arts-and-Health is dedicated to providing an outlet of expression for people who live with, have lived with, or know someone who has lived with a serious medical condition. (That, in all likelihood, means YOU, as we all know someone who has suffered.) It could be a physical condition like cancer or diabetes, or it might be a mental health condition. Regardless of your condition, you have a story to tell.
Our members bravely tell their stories through their art. We are about to start monthly challenges in which members tell their story around a particular theme, such as healing, endurance, or darkness. Every month we (as a group) will select the most powerful submission, and that deviant will receive 1,000 dA points. Our next challenge begins December 1, and we will announce the theme on that day.
Everyone is welcome to join Arts-and-Health.
And now for the feature of our voices, by theme:
The Darkest Hour
Challenging times when living with illness
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What it's Like
Stories of what it's like to live with illness
No Way OutThose who do not know me well
Know not what I must endure.
Methinks, therefore, that they should keep
Their opinions to themselves;
For I find it truly exasperating
To hear the thoughtless things they say.
Their misinformed, judgemental words
Ever shock me, shake me, stress me.
I optimistically try to tell myself
That these people "mean well" -
But it's far easier for me to say the words
Than it is to believe them.
You see, some folk like to posit
That I have a choice -
I should not take my medications;
I should use herbs, or prayer instead.
Or worse, they imply (rather rudely)
That it's my fault I'm ill;
Through some vile sin,
Or lack of faith or 'wanting' to be healed.
It is offensive to my soul, and to my ears as well,
To hear such things!
I try not to listen, not to care -
Alas, largely without success.
The cool sting of such inhumane words
Invades my memory;
And like a torturous biting loop,
It replays in my mind.
These people know not how it feels
To dislocate joints, as I do;
As
Walk with me.Who wants to walk with me down this long road?
Who wants to make this journey that's so very cold?
Where hearts are dark with no room for love
Blackened their soul, twisted the raven to look like a dove.
Inner demons flooding my dreams
making the most normal thing not as it seems
Wildly dark demons penetrating my mind
searching for secrets, never for me to find.
The deepest trust given to ones I care for
turn to deceit and lies, friends no more.
The cruelest ways and words left me in sorrow
ripped out my heart like there's no tomorrow.
Feeling foolish and feeling so hurt...
as my heart no more important than a piece of dirt,
As I said, "Who wants this walk down this road with me?
Feel this pain, despair and my sorrow see?"
Three people personDEPRESSED DEBBIE: Not to sound depressed or anything, but I don't see the point in socializing like this. Or at all.
NEUTRAL NELLY: I just thought we'd meet and try to work out our differences while having dinner together. We're family after all, and proper meals and exercise is what keeps one in balance.
DEPRESSED DEBBIE: Wow, you're a living cliché!
NEUTRAL NELLY: You're a never ending teenage riot.
DEPRESSED DEBBIE: Adults loose touch with their believes, like you.
NEUTRAL NELLY: You really see me as an adult?
DEPRESSED DEBBIE: Yeah... What, you don't?
NEUTRAL NELLY: Sometimes. Mostly not.
DEPRESSED DEBBIE: That's weird.
NEUTRAL NELLY: I guess. Anyway, you need some food. You're a lot thinner than I remember.
DEPRESSED DEBBIE: Eating is kind of a way to tell life that you're on it's side. I'm not sure I'm okay with that.
MANIC MARIA: I don't need much food. I'm more just a mind than a mind + body creature. I'm a spirit similar to a god.
NEUTRAL NELLY: Sure you are honey, sure y
Keeping Hope
This is what gets us through it all . . .
Thanks to everyone for sharing your incredible stories with us. Everyone else, won't you join us?
Peace,
