Artist Statement

After working as an ER-critical care nurse for over 18 years, I was injured working and developed chronic pain and CRPD (or RSD). I went back to school and obtained a Masters degree. Despite changing career paths, surgery, 2 spinal cord stim's and then a implanted pain medication delivery system, I had to stop working. I have wonderful physicians whom have continued to aggressively access and treat the chronic pain I have - from what I have read this is the exception to the majority of people with chronic pain. In spite of working in the medical field for almost 25 years, I found it very difficult to express how my pain feels to anyone. Being in the medical field the stigma of drug seeking / addiction is very prevalent - even I hold back because of this stigma. This is my first attempt at trying to visually show how I feel and perceive myself.  Sometimes there are no words to explain chronic pain... you just have to see it for your self.  I think looking at it is painful, but it's real.