I was diagnosed with psychomoter epilepsy at the age of 11, after experiencing a dizzy spell and fainting. I eventually ended up as a "guinea pig" at NINDS (NIH) and spent 8 years receiving testing and treatment before finally becoming eligible for brain surgery. I recorded all my medications, thoughts, observations, etc. in notebooks over the years as well. In 1986, I had surgery that removed scar tissue and changed my life. I have now been seizure-free for 30 years and will never forget all the help, love and support I received from family and friends. To commemorate my 'anniversary', I have started a series of oil paintings call "Seized", influenced by Vincent Van Gogh, to visually depict my thoughts and experiences. I have completed 4 paintings so far.
"Double Vision" I had to take numerous medications and one of the most common side effects was blurred or double vision.
"What Was I Thinking?" The brain image is from a color EEG done while there was seizure activity occurring- There are subtle spikes in the background.
"Toxic Color Wheel" These are just some of the many drugs I was given over the years
"Cramming for Exams" - apologies to Van Gogh... I had many tests before my actual brain surgery, which are now mostly obsolete thanks to modern science.