ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF SOCIETY
Well, OK then!
On Sept 12, 2017, I woke up and the right side of my body was and remains somewhat paralyzed. I reached over to my phone called 911 said goodbye to my cat and my home forever and moved into the hospital for a 6-month stay. Surprisingly to me, this was a consequence of being in a relationship with a narcissist.
As Dr. Tara says: Again, don’t underestimate how toxic these people and relationships with them are. Stress can kill. It raises cortisol levels, weakens the immune system, raises blood pressure and keeps the body in a sustained state of sympathetic nervous system arousal. Being in a near constant state of fight, flight or freeze response is incredibly damaging to the body and the brain. Cancer, heart attacks, strokes, digestive disorders, depression and anxiety are all very likely possibilities. — Dr. Tara Palmatier
One of the other consequences of narcissism was a successful attempt to isolate me. My contacting EAR from the hospital, broke, with no savings, reconnected me with my professional community in a practical down-to-earth manner that said, ‘Jerald, you belong, we are here to assist you.’
Thanks to EAR, twice, I had money to make my way down to the coffee shop each morning in the hospital and write my first book on a tablet pecking away with my non-dominate hand. I regained confidence and faith in my education and work, then switched my practice to left-handed digital visual art. This work was curated with Photogaphize in New York and still recovering in hospital I started to exhibit to the entire globe. As well, I could get shaving gear and an occasional meal out with friends. I was able to put down a security deposit, first month's rent and hire movers to get my art computers and the rest of my crap into my new digs. All without shame, blame or embarrassment. I belong to a community of artists and we care for each other.
Another consequence is that I became a more active member of the Liberal party and now advocate for universal basic income. EAR has demonstrated to me that this is a necessity for all societies: don’t we all belong to a global community and don’t we all care for each other? What does it say about us if we don’t, hell, I wouldn’t even want to know you.
I now refuse to exclusively buy local, for example, as those folks in China need jobs too. Unconditional acceptance, people are “worthy’ simply because they exist. Rights of passage and doorkeepers are relics of a racist, religious, conservative, class/caste society.
Still, I am so happy EAR exists, I sincerely wish it didn’t have to.
Do This:
Donation Amount: $25.00
Start Date: 30/11/2021
Processing Date: Day 30 of every month
Charity Name: ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF SOCIETY
Registered Charity Number: 843176751RR0001
Confirmation Number: SG-277974
In Honour of: Buddhy the Buddha Cat
© 2021 ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF SOCIETY
Registered Charity Number: 843176751RR0001
