Leah Sims, 46, started painting, design, and performing arts to cope with her struggles, including serious health problems.
She suffers from functional neurological disorder (FND), dystonia, fibromyalgia, and hypermobility, which cause constant muscle spasms and pain.
At her lowest point, she says creativity and doing painting gave her a way to express her feelings and move forward.
She said: “I’ve been into the arts since I was young. I was a dancer and did performing arts. I worked on creative projects at Jersey Zoo when I was a teenager, and I later studied art and design at Falkirk College in Scotland.
“When everything got too much, I decided to turn all my suffering into creativity and expression, instead of becoming bitter.”
Leah said her colourful work is inspired by the time she spent living in Guadeloupe, in the French West Indies, where she held an exhibition of her paintings.
She said: “I’ve had an exhibition at several places around Bournemouth, my work is very unique and different.”
She also designs her own clothes and creates her own patterns.
Sha said: “I wanted do something to turn this into something positive, you know, that impacts also everybody else I didn’t have anyone to help me, so I started drawing and making things for myself. It gave me a way to help myself and feel better about who I was.”
Leah said she hopes her story shows others that it’s possible to find meaning, even after experiencing violence and illness.
She said: “I’m someone who’s always picked themselves up, I’ve worked in various fields, and I’ve worked in art, creative performances and dances.
“Art gave me a space to understand people and suffering. It doesn’t take away the pain, but it helps you express it and find a way forward.”
She added: “I want to send a positive message to others who have suffered: you can turn your pain into something beautiful.”
