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In this project I explore my relations with Meniere's disease since 2013. Meniere's is a debilitating chronic condition, charaterized by uncontrollable a loss of hearing, vertigo attacks and multiple side manifestations of variable intensity. Crisis usually happen in series, trigerred by multiple possible factors. There is no possible cure. The unpredictibility, the feeling of impermanence, and the fact that many familiar situations and environments become aggressive generate a high level of anxiety, and radical changes in the way of life. Depression and social isolation are common consequences of the disease.
It started one night, with no early signs. I have had to find my own way and cope with the disease, to continue working and generating revenues to raise my family and run an acceptable social life. |
There are multiple aspects of loss and grief in chronic illness: the physical integrity, autonomy, life narrative and perspectives, social identity etc.
In this project, I illustrated 5 major episodes since 2013 with pictures taken at that time, besides my other projects, usually to find healing, and objectify my emotions. I drew a pattern, and named each stage: Ignorance, Sideration, Denial, Depression, and “Towards Acceptance?” The retrospective view deconstructs the complexity of the situation, and helps me create meaning and a narrative I can more easily share with others, and with myself. |
