A Westbury man who has been battling a rare autoimmune disease for more than three years has shared how creating art has helped him find hope during his ongoing treatment.
Robert Firkin has been living with Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a rare condition that affects his digestion and makes it extremely painful to eat.
“At the point of admission, I was resigned to the fact that this was the end,” said Robert, who three weeks ago did not think he would make it to his 62nd birthday on 13th March.
“The wonderful caring staff and consultants from Gastroenterology and Rheumatology have come up with another dart at a cure which will take three months to hopefully show results. In the meantime, steroids are fuelling me.
“As a result of steroids, I need very little sleep, so in order to occupy myself I started drawing with some art materials I got for Christmas.”
Robert has been creating drawings using pastel pencils that were passed down from his mum after her death. His subjects range from racehorses to penguins and Highland cows.
“I feel most definitely that the meditative therapy from being in that creative bubble has helped switch my mindset from being willing to allow nature to take its course and pop my clogs, to celebrating life through drawing subjects from the natural world,” he said.
“I’d like to share my story in the hope that it gives others a glimmer of hope if they are in a similar situation.
“I would encourage anyone to pick up a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and have a go. Maybe, like me, it’s been years since you last did, but you might just relight a candle of hope for the future. Though I never excelled past grade C at O-Level, I have always enjoyed a doodle and now it’s my driving force!”
Robert is now accepting commissions for his drawings. As a keen horseracing enthusiast, he is donating 10% of all proceeds to the Injured Jockeys Fund.
To get in touch about a commission, contact Robert on 07860829872 or robfirkin13@gmail.com.
