Outside the Lines

Kelly Haydon

Invincibility
acrylic on canvas, letraset, photocopy transfer

I have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) which means I spend most of my life in bed. I experience severe exhaustion, weak muscles, lots of pain and mental fogging. Living with M.E. is extremely difficult but with brilliant moments of painting I can manage.

What I cannot handle is the extra oppressive load society deems it necessary to burden me with. I am socially isolated as I am stuck in but also have a vast gap existing between me and those around me; most underestimate the severity of my illness.

I must also live with the constant insecurity about income, housing and homecare. I need to be in a quiet place but poverty means I have no control over where I live. Further, due to the lack of affordable housing, there is the threat of homelessness. My future income (welfare) is subject to the whims of politicians, as is homecare. Thousands have already had the homecare they depend on eliminated.

OUR SOCIETY IS DISABLING
OUR SOCIETY IS INVALID.

Alvin Hipke