Nevertheless She Persisted II

Size: 24 x 30 x 1.5 inches, acrylic on canvas. The sides are painted black, so a frame is optional.   Inspiration: If you were to assume the person in front of you has it all together, you might be surprised—it’s rarely that simple. Some disabilities aren’t visible, like chronic pain and mental illness. I know this firsthand. I talk openly about my mental health struggles, but I rarely mention my experience with chronic pain. It’s taken two major forms in my life. In my late 20s, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that affects my entire body. Then, in 2019, a routine dental procedure caused nerve damage, leading to “burning mouth syndrome”—something I’ve lived with every day since. Chronic pain may be invisible, but it’s relentless. Some days, it consumes everything. I’m sharing this because there’s so much stigma around speaking about our struggles. “Good vibes only,” right? But here’s the thing—I hate stigma. Pain, whether physical or ment