Whiplash

The 18 th of december 2013, I am on my way to a Christmas event. My three-year old son sits in the backseat. We are cheerfull. As we are approaching a traffic light, I notice a big van waiting for green light, so he can croos over and turn left. I have green light and I therefore continue driving straight ahead. Unexspectedly, the driver of the van suddenly turns left rigth in front of my car. Even though I brake immediately I can't avoid the crash.

From here on, my life has been characterized by whiplash symptoms. In 2020, I decide to paint my symptoms.

All paintings measure 70 x 90 cm and are painted on high quality canvas.

A split Second

The painting shows the horror I experienced when I realized the crash was unavoidable. The title underlines how it sometimes only takes a split second fpr your life to change drastically.

Broken Dreams

The accident closed many of the doors to my dreams and my future plans. It was a grief.

Overwhelming Fatigue

There is fatigue and there is whiplash fatigue. It cannot be overcome by five cups of coffee, an ice-cold shower or a huge chocolate bar. I must have my nap to get through the day. Annoying, but necessary.

Alert

Chronic pain puts my body in constant alert. I see danger around every corner.

Anxiety at Night

After years with whiplash symptoms, I experienced anxiety at night caused by a worn down nervous system.

Freedom in a Straitjacket

The painting illustrates my frustrations over the limitations my whiplash causes me. I am not in jail though I feel trapped. It also shows my physical pain.

Unequal Battle

The fight against whiplash is uneven as there is no quick fix or maual to follow. Most of the treatments only help for a short period. It is a hopeless situation to be in. On the painting you will see that the little boy is naked and only armed with a toy sword. He looks at the evil in the horizon, but he is protected by light and survives.

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed is the culmination of fatigue, exhuastion, pain and having pushed myself over the edge.

Compassion

I try to be own cary parent and speak nicely to myself instead of blaming myself for not beeing able to do the things I could before the accident.

Surrender

After 7 years with whiplash, I reach a turning point: I surrender myself to my condition. I acknowledge I can't fight my way out of my symptoms. I have to get the best ot of my situation as it looks now,

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