For others who are struggling with mental disabilities and want to use photography as a path to healing, here is what I have learned:
• An inexpensive point-and-shoot camera is fine.
Newer "smart" phones have amazingly good cameras.
Expensive gear is not required so don't be intimidated
by "professional" sites and blogs.
• Find a supportive person or group for energy
and inspiration.
• Do whatever moves you and forget what others might
think. One thing I love about the true artistic spirit is
that through the quest for self-expression comes the
realization of self-identity.
• Work to overcome fear and self-doubt. Life is too
short.
I am a self-taught artist who began landscape and wildlife photography in my teens. After a successful 25-year career in medical research and education I suffered two brain abscesses (infection in the brain) one of which was dangerously deep and deemed inoperable. Abscesses are uncommon and can cause stroke-like symptoms or, worse case, death.
Initially, I lost the use of my left side of my
body in addition to mental impairment that included loss of "executive function" such as linear thinking and appropriate speech. Subsequently, I began having seizures where typing just a single sentence is all I could manage in a day... and even then the text would need to edited for grammar and correctness.
As I worked to regain physical & mental function, my supportive wife and many friends suggested that I return to my interest in photography to help with
rehabilitation. This simple web site is the result.
