Comments on: Creating Through Pain

By: Donna Hoffman

Donna Hoffman — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 19:17:04 +0000

I’m waaaaay older than you and I can tell you that as you get older (past 60) and your metabolism slows along with your strength that fibromyalgia becomes more difficult to keep in check. I also have severe arthritis in my spine and every joint in my body. The arthritis exacerbates the fibro. The more pain I feel in my joints, the more pain I feel in my muscles. When I was younger, I could swim and walk and keep my muscles toned. Once I started having joints replaced and getting steroid shots in my back, my muscles were less in shape because of less movement and I started going downhill. I’m 74 now and I can’t walk for exercise. I still get in the water and walk for 30 minutes every other day, but that isn’t enough. I love all your photos especially the ones the contain water.

By: Jak

Jak — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 06:14:11 +0000

Hi Brooke

I’ve been following your superb YouTube channel for a while now. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insights – you are such an inspiration to me.

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Disease and M.E./CFS. I took up photography 5 years ago and like you do lots of selfies in my spare bedroom as and when my health allows and composite them into backgrounds https://bamimages.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/selfies/#jp-carousel-353

I watched your Impostor syndrome video today which rang so many bells! My Dad constantly criticized me and even though I’m now 50 this has left me with feelings of never being good enough which I still fight. I do what I love and if others love it to that’s a bonus, and if not *I* still love it and that’s all that matters 🙂

Your videos have helped me to become a better photographer – thank you for being you and daring to be different!

Jak x

By: Elijah Goodwin

Elijah Goodwin — Fri, 25 May 2018 01:59:23 +0000

Thanks Brooke! I’ve admired your imagery, your enthusiasm, your ability to teach, and your sci-fi/creative nerdiness (that’s a good thing) since I first saw you present on CreativeLIVE. I really appreciate you sharing this post and video. As a sufferer of chronic Lyme or post-Lyme syndrome (whatever you want to call it), I can identify with both your symptoms and the skepticism that can come from others and even unfortunately some members of the medical community. I was in the best shape of my life (and training for a 10K) when I came down with Lyme disease. The symptoms were sudden, dramatic, and scary. It started with double vision and tinnitus in the middle of teaching. By the next day I had numbness and tingling in all my limbs. I ended up in the ER several times because I kept passing out. It took seven weeks and seven doctors to get a definitive diagnosis and a doctor that was willing to treat aggressively. I’m grateful for the improvements that I’ve made since then, but I still have extreme fatigue, sleep disturbance, muscle fatigue, cognitive issues, periodic joint issues, trouble swallowing, sensitivity to vibration, cluster headaches, and periods of intense, deep, nonspecific pain (particularly when I overdo). I will talk to people about it when asked, but generally avoid talking about it or gloss over how I’m feeling. There are many days when I’m so fatigued it takes a conscious force of will to do every single little action I do throughout my day. My condition makes it nearly impossible to do any regular activity that can’t involve a flexible schedule at both micro and macro scales. I say all this, because I thank you for opening up about your pain, how it interacts with your art, and using your public persona to help others express their pain. And I hope others may identify with my story and feel inspired to share their pain, which too often goes unvoiced. I find that may pain inspires some of my more personal work. But more importantly my creative work is a salve for my pain and gives me the inspiration to keep pushing forward. Anyway, thanks for your continual inspiration and sharing.

By: Vernon

Vernon — Thu, 24 May 2018 07:03:26 +0000

Brooke, thank you for sharing this blog post. I never knew that you suffered so. It makes me think back to you workshop you gave in a college in London a few years back where you hugged everyone attending. Each hug gave you pain but you did it anyway with a smile and some kind words for us all. Thank you

By: Erika

Erika — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:56:02 +0000

Thank you Brooke. Not so much time ago i has been diagnosed with Tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears), before that i was so passionate about photography, and now i just sit and cry. But your message gave me hope, maybe i will be able to create again through that psychological pain. Thank you.

By: Sara Helwe

Sara Helwe — Tue, 22 May 2018 14:51:36 +0000

Hey Brooke, I remember very well, a few years ago, when I was worried about you and asked about your health condition.So sorry to know you have to go through all that.
I was diagnosed with Lupus two years ago after losing my baby when I was six months pregnant. We both have pretty much the same symptoms.
I urge you to see a good doctor because there’s constant research about chronic diseases and I’m sure there’s medication to ease your pain. I’m feeling so much better in medication, but I prefer working from home because I’m an introvert too. Being an artist is a blessing to people like us!

I love every signle piece that you do. You’re my artist idol. May God bless and protect you <3

By: Gallagher Green

Gallagher Green — Tue, 22 May 2018 02:34:11 +0000

In reply to Jon Miller. Wonderful work Jon, I really love it! <3

By: Jon Miller

Jon Miller — Tue, 22 May 2018 01:41:59 +0000

In reply to Gallagher Green.

Gallagher Green – Some of the images are NSFW so please be aware if viewing from work.
http://www.jLorenzo.com.au
Go to Galleries click on either Fine art or Fine Art Nudes.

By: Jon Miller

Jon Miller — Tue, 22 May 2018 01:28:56 +0000

In reply to Lisa Blevins.

Lisa, I can relate with the daily intense pain that makes you cry, at 63 I thought it was impossible to make me cry, unfortunately I was fooled. With this nerve damaged foot flares up its like the foot is being shot at multiple times in a 30-45 second period, the pain is so intense it brings me to my knees in tears. The drugs I’m on does nothing for it so I know each night I have to go through this. I don’t sleep because of it and that starts taking affect on the mental state. I’m lucky in that all of this is covered by insurance 100% including psych counseling, but it means nothing when the pain starts up.
All I can say is hang in there. They tell me I have 2-4 years to deal with this for complete recovery, at this time that seems like an eternity.

By: Gallagher Green

Gallagher Green — Tue, 22 May 2018 00:56:59 +0000

In reply to Jill Terry.

It is a wonderful very friendly safe place to share! Here is the link. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/groups/331054193987474/