Blinded Pain Abstract Series

For Jenny lawson, she has long been open about her battles with autoimmune disorders, depression, and anxiety, and in this chapter, her reaction to the chicken injury is deeply influenced by those experiences. After the stabbing (which, in true Lawson fashion, is both ridiculous and alarming), she becomes fixated on the potential for infection or a more serious complication. This leads to an internal spiral where she debates whether she should go to the doctor knowing that she has a tendency to overthink medical issues.

Overview

For this final project, I’d like to investigate the chapter “Stabbed by Chicken,” where Jenny Lawson discusses her own personal battles with polyarthritis. This disease has caused her to experience many challenges, difficulties, and physical/emotional hardships when dealing with treatments, managing symptoms, and the quality of her daily life.

Project Concept

For this project, I’d like to work blindfolded and focus on other sensory capabilities beyond sight in order to visually showcase what life is like when working under the constant state of head pain. The materials utilized are acrylic paints, paint brushes, and canvas.

Project Application

Once this project is complete, it is my intention to utilize the final product to design a book tour poster. Its purpose is to provide key details about the book signing, readings, or discussions, including dates, times, and locations, encourages people to attend the events, and includes website links, social media handles, or QR codes. Overall, it encourages readers to follow the author online or order the book.

“My doctor explained that I had a rare form of the disease called polyarthritis, which meant that instead of staying in a single place, the arthritis jumps around from body part to body part on an almost daily basis.”

— Jenny Lawson

Background

By definition, vasovagal syncope, also known as a common faint or reflex syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, often triggered by emotional distress, pain, or certain stimuli. The vagus nerve, which controls heart rate and blood pressure, becomes overstimulated, causing a rapid drop in both. Some common triggers include fear or anxiety, prolonged standing, dehydration, or pain.

Some studies suggest that migraine can trigger vasovagal syncope with some patients reporting syncope immediately preceding or following a migraine episode. A study of a family with comorbid vasovagal syncope and migraine found that 78% of family members with migraine also had vasovagal syncope, and 92% of family members with vasovagal syncope also had a migraine. all of this to say that life is difficult when having a nervous system disease.

Project Beginnings

First, I worked on creating a solid base acrylic layer in both white and pink to create variation. Once that was completed, I placed both boards on a white sheet to limit the amount of mess being made and blindfolded myself.

Project Examination

Once blindfolded, I utilized my sense of feel to obtain the materials around me. This is how I was able to create these very abstract pieces seen below.

“I try to be appreciative of what I have instead of bitter about what I’ve lost. I try to accept this disease with grace, and patiently wait for the day when they find a cure. And for when I get my monkey butler.”

— Jenny Lawson

Sarah Hummel Design