In April 2023 I suffered from severe brain inflammation symptoms, mania, and psychosis, healthcare professionals have run out of things to label this episode. I was catatonic for two months. When I woke up, I was faced with learning how to talk and walk again. I remember my body burning in pain, not being able to feed myself or use the bathroom on my own. Doctors thought it was a new form of autoimmune encephalitis or a psychiatric problem (since this was a new form of antibody, the tests they ran couldn’t detect it) they never figured it out…leading to wrong treatments. I’m still struggling to trust my body and processing the trauma, everyday it’s hard. Art and family kept me going, without my partner, Nate, I wouldn’t be here. I’m now creating works inspired since regaining consciousness and since my hospital stays. I titled this series Safe Space. The biggest, unexpected revelation was watching my partner be so patient and collected, even when the medical world gave up on me, he never lost hope that I would regain consciousness. We are now expecting a baby this May. My work has been somewhat interrupted with pregnancy brain as opposed to just Safe Space works. Overall, the whole experience has been healing and I am beyond grateful for the love and support that I have received.
