Meheen Hauge Meheen Hauge

Fibromyalgia, one year on

Hello!

In the last year-plus since my diagnosis, I have learned quite a lot. Becoming physically disabled, especially with an invisible illness, has revealed to me so many more ways the ableism of the world. The intersections of being physically disabled, being a woman of color, and being ‘too young’ have created some very interesting barriers.

Luckily, I am nothing if not creative, so here I remain. Adapting my studio to be ergonomic is endless. Adjusting to the stigma of part-time wheelchair use is more exhausting than my fatigue! Somehow, I keep drawing and painting.

In fact, after recovering from the trauma of an ableist act against me, I have rediscovered some of my artistic identity as an independent artist.

I have worked on freelance projects, making logos, making jewelry… all while being on unemployment and on the search for that great remote day job.

In my tiny California coastal town we are not immune to the smoke but thankfully the fires are far from me.

I am going to continue my climate change art series…

Stay safe out there loves.

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Meheen Hauge Meheen Hauge

Black Lives Matter

This artist un-apologetically and emphatically stands with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Please refer directly to resources provided for more information.

https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/

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health Meheen Hauge health Meheen Hauge

Autoimmune Disease - Diagnosis Journey & RubyFEST

Hello friends and followers.

I feel that it is time to share on my public art platform about more details of my current life.

The first thing that I want to say is that, literally every moment of a day I am physically able to work on art, I am streaming it on my Twitch.tv for you to join in! So please follow me on twitch as MeheenRuby.

I’m actually typing this during a stream.

It’s a good way to boost my mood while “working” - I am on medical leave from all work at the moment and using art as a therapy tool to cope with my illness rather than a way to generate income since the first week of May.

29 Likes, 0 Comments - Meheen (@meheeeen) on Instagram: "lol when they say "good days and bad days" it really means good days and bad days"

In April I began to feel some serious health symptoms. The symptoms have progressed to the point where after early May I was physically unable to drive or complete my job tasks and many common household tasks.

As some of the physical symptoms have alleviated, specifically the pinched nerve injury, I still have serious symptoms from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Uterine fibroids and potential Endometriosis, and an Autoimmune myopathy, potentially myositis in some form.

Over the next several months I have many scheduled appointments including a consultation about proceeding with a diagnostic surgery.

I am optimistic and heartened by the love and support of my community.

Please clear your calendars for Friday, September 13th. I would like to share with you not just my work but the work of my support system of loving and talented artists, musicians, writers, scientists, and teachers.

I have received nothing but help from my community. Whatever ails me, I plan to adjust and heal as much as is reasonable. For now I have secure access to health care. However that may not always be the case if I am unable to do some serious fundraising. Shockingly my first needs fundraiser to cover housing costs and medical bill support became fully funded within 3 days and exceeded my expectations.

Please reach out to me if you would like to be involved in the first annual RubyFEST.

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