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Hi Anthony,
Yes, of course, the most important part of that movie is that it's true.
I can share my story, although the chicken in the soup is mostly bones. It may help you to see a silver lining. I have always made my living as some kind of visual artist, stained glass for many years and graphic design/illustration for the last twelve or so. It's a good living and since I raised two kids on my own, I'm grateful. It's only ever been a job and I knew that when the time was right I would leave it to be a painter. Fixed firmly in my mind was the notion that at the very least, as an elderly lady all alone, I would happily be painting little watercolours of the birds and squirrels that I would feed in my backyard.
Over the last 4 years or so I have had a steady worsening of work-related injuries in my shoulders and arms. The first compensation claim was for my right arm and after that I taught myself to become ambidextrous to take the strain off. You guessed it! There is extensive nerve damage in both shoulders and arms as well as my neck and back. This has all triggered some impressive chronic pain conditions. I am back at work at maybe 70% capacity, but my back seems to be further degenerating. The worker's compensation people here recognize that my impairment is permanent and will be paying me out a lump sum for pain and suffering. If it tops 10 grand, I'll be amazed. Meanwhile my employer is only required to accommodate my limitations for 2 years (1 and a half at this point). At that point my career will be effectively over. No biggie, it was only a job...except my arms are wrecked. I can still paint for now as the movement and body position are quite different from what caused the injuries, but for how long is anybody's guess.
This is not a pity party for Janet! Not at all. But challenges lurk around every corner. You will undoubtedly experience a rebirth of your artistic career, and really, things like the end of a marriage are supposed to change your life, at least temporarily. I myself will learn to paint with my feet. NOT.
Good luck. This too shall pass.
Janet
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