When someone is diagnosed with a rare disease, or one that has no cure, it is not uncommon for the person to begin to have mental health challenges as well. Lisa Steele, for example, became depressed after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the insulating myelin sheath of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain becomes damaged. This damage limits the ability of the nervous system to send signals effectively. This can result in a variety of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, blindness in one eye, double vision, poor coordination, and psychiatric problems. Causes of the condition may include genetic factors or could be the result of viral infection. There is no known cure for the disease, so treatment focuses on reducing the severity of symptoms and decreasing the likelihood of future episodes to occur. If you would like to learn more about MS, click here.
This year, Lisa started a new business with fellow artist Daphne Wallis. They plan to open up a studio called Angel Water. Both artists are using their art to cope with prior negative experiences. For Daphne, this includes her experiences with poverty, abusive relationships, and mental problems such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Lisa is also fighting MS and the depressive episode that came along with it.
The women see their artwork as a way to express their frustrations and as a coping mechanism. Daphne also hopes to use her art as a way to help others who have dealt with similar situations and challenges. When Lisa saw what Daphne was doing, she knew that she wanted to become involved.
Daphne began documenting her process of recovery through art on social media, which is how Lisa first became aware of her project. Daphne made sure to document the good and bad moments on her road to rejuvenation.
