The more I hear about the new Welfare Reform Act the more worried I get about the future, and I was on a Disability Forum where people were recounting their experiences of the new assessment procedure (which is producing THOUSANDS of appeals). I suddenly got the complete heebie jeebies - most of the time I try to be strong and positive, but on this occasion simply failed.As ever, I turned to my journal to work out my feelings - this is a background done with Caran D'ache Neocolour crayons, and a spot of spray ink (which really didn't show up as well as I wanted). I added this little person from Stampotique to represent myself - because I was feeling at the time very small and scared. Normally I am taller, quite vocal and a bit stroppy ....
I got as far as the stage below when I just burst into tears, so there had to be an hiatus for a bit while my Significant Other provided the necessary hugs and such reassurance as was possible. After that I decided I could either let it scare the hell out of me, or just get on with life and fight back.
And that was when I wrote the words about not giving in to my fear, and that got me launched into more positive mode ... so much so that I stopped remembering to take pictures. However, making art was, as it always is for me, a really healing process, and this page allowed me time to work through my panic to a calmer place. I'm one of those people who is sensible and can cope 99% of the time, but then every now and again I lose my perspective and have a distinct wobble.I've used a sunburst sort of stamp, but also added quite a lot of doodling - my absolute favourite thing to do at the moment! Its slightly mindless but I find that helps.Anyway I'm probably worrying about nothing, but when it gets to be my turn for assessment I will be ready and willing to fight my corner if necessary, or bring up the Big Guns to appeal a negative decision. Sorry to bore you with all this - it just does me good to face my fears and part of me hopes that by doing so I might just help somebody else .....
I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR! Yes, well more like squeak in reality, but its a start!
