29 FACES DAY 10

Two related drawings here today for the 29 FACES challenge.

"I don't know you"
Graphite pencil drawing by Jez

Last year a dear friend of 55 years died of cancer, and sadly she had also suffered from Altzheimer's Disease for several years.  The drawing shown above was inspired by a photograph in the newspaper of a quite different lady suffering from the same terrible disease.  Drawing it helped me to understand, and to be patient when I sat with her some days while her husband had to go to hospital for his own health problems.

This was my first close encounter with Altzheimers, and I was very affected by it.  Annie (not her name, but I shall call her that) and I were next door neighbours for a few years, and though we had very little money we would find ways to have little trips and adventures with our babies and have fun.  The disease wipes out the past so cruelly, all the memories, all recognition of friends and family, and all ability to connect with others.

My vision of the encroaching effects of the disease
Jez

I hope I will be forgiven for including these two drawings that were made a few months ago, but this second drawing above is my way of trying to express what happens to the person, a process so difficult for them and for their families.

I've tried to symbolise the way it progresses - a few plant tendrils grow across the image of the person, then a few leaves, and then the foliage starts to cover the face, and eventually the person inside the well-known body is covered with so many leaves that the person we knew is not really there at all.

I hope I will be forgiven for including these two drawings that were made a few months ago, but I'm a bit stuck for time this week, with two separate days in hospital for cancer check-up procedures and then a day at least to recover.

Then back to normal tomorrow with the silly, cheerful faces I've managed to create in advance and pre-scheduled for the challenge.