"My Struggle"

Bellow is the short story that I have written.... "My Struggle" It's about how I overcome my past struggles daily. I am posting it in hopes that it will inspire and help others to overcome struggles that they may have in their life. :)


I had some interest in art at an early age as many of you have, but I never pursued it.In 1997 doctors attempted to give me brain surgery for epilepsy. I am allergic to most anti-convulsants and they just made my seizures worse. The doctors were learning then...and did not feel that they had enough information to actually cut a piece out so they put me back together.I continued to have seizures. One day my mother had a few friends over I felt like I was going to have a seizure so I went to sit on the couch. I had one there. One of my mothers friends who saw me have it was a local artist, Mary Atkins. Mary thought that I could express myself through painting. She taught me the basics of painting and I really looked forward to painting.
I then had up to 100 seizures a day for about two months due to a medication that I was taking. My doctor told me that they had new technology and that I should try brain surgery again. Surprising everyone I went for it! I figured, "what do I have to lose?".When I woke up, my left side was paralyzed and I thought I would never paint again. After ALOT of physical Therapy it came back. I began to paint.Painting helped me cope with the past, present and future. Sometimes, I would know the meaning of a painting right away. Other times....I would put it aside and later figure out it's meaning. They always have a meaning though.Today I have a shop on etsy it's http://www.paintingwpassion.etsy.com/! A friend of mine Jessica Torrant helped me with it and still helps me a lot today! The banners on my blog (http://www.angelasartdiary.blogspot.com/) and in my etsy shop were done by her. What a wonderful friend and artist she is! I have truly gained a lot of courage due to her.
A lot of fellow artist's have also helped me! Tara Day (www.balizzy@etsy.com) is a wonderful friend and artist. You can see many of the others at my site at www.angelasartcorner.com A friend of mine Steven Cheek created it. I do as much as I can but he still helps me alot. There are still things that I have a hard time figuring out on my own.
I can NOT go without medications today without having a seizure. I don't have seizures now unless under ALOT of stress. I do have panic attacks though. Painting my emotions is helping me to learn to deal with lifes struggles and put aside past memories that still haunt me.

By:Angela Taylor