top of page
Joanna Hinc ØArt
  • Discord
  • Linktree
  • Empty
  • Youtube
  • Twitch
  • Vimeo
  • Discord
  • Linktree
  • Empty
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Story of my… Multiple Sclerosis cont. - Ruins / ArtStation '22 - Part 7: CH04 - Dragon Time Keeper

  • Writer: Joanna Hinc
    Joanna Hinc
  • Nov 21, 2023
  • 6 min read

"Unforeseen Turns: Health Challenges and the Lost Path to Leadership"

I once had the chance to become a Team Leader. I knew it was quite a real possibility and that I could handle this task - my projects were held to a high standard, I knew exactly what I was doing, and I had a great relationship with almost all the graphic designers on board and not just the graphic designers.

However, a sudden setback in my health took that opportunity away from me... And what I talk about in my latest video should serve as a warning to many people.

Don't learn from your own mistakes, if you can learn from the experience of someone who has been through it already - watch it, compare it to your own life, learn from it and pass it forward.



Text from the Video:


PART ONE:


Intro…


Hello.


I trust all is well with you. Personally, I'm doing quite well, although I keep complaining about the lack of time... Well, somehow more topics have to be tied up recently, plus my huge project, which I am having more and more problems with. Still learning a lot, so that's good. ;P


I won't make the same errors twice. As it suppose to be.


Regarding today's video - I've been looking forward to this moment in my story. Why? Because I believe it is one of the most important in terms of giving value from my experience. I also believe it can be a powerful warning to many people not to underestimate the significance of one's health and how it's managed.


PART TWO:


Unwanted consequences…


The previous episode of my story ended where I needed roughly two months to feel well enough again. Two months that could have been limited to two weeks tops if it wasn't for the constant problems with paperwork or lack of a place in the hospital.


But what does it mean to 'feel well enough'? Probably it all depends on how you look at it and what your perspective is. For me, it meant being able to move my hands in a controlled way, being self-sufficient - without having to ask for help with every little task - and being able to go back to work.


I won't say that my beginnings immediately after my return were easy. My right hand was getting tired quite quickly and, to top it all off, my neck was getting stiff quickly as well. Given my heightened sensitivity to such symptoms, I made a conscious effort to be cautious about my work habits, ensuring not to overexert myself, etc. Sometimes it came down to shifting a mouse to my left hand - I'm not completely ambidextrous, but if I'd practiced a bit more, it probably wouldn't have been a big problem (proof on the screen, these are not my original images, I don't know the authors, I just used them for practice with my left hand and these were made a year after the events I'm now talking about - I'll probably come back to them in the future videos).


What bothered me most about that situation was that I missed out on the opportunity to be promoted to Team Leader... And it still bothers me… a bit. Before all this unfolded, I had a discussion with the two most senior Leaders - not from my group - both of whom affirmed that I would assume a leadership role the next time the company expanded, owing to the high quality of my work and the level of interaction I maintained with the team… During that conversation, it was asserted that our Manager shared the same sentiment, and I had already been included in the plans for future development. Damn it!


You try your best, you fight for what you want in your life, and then your own body says 'STOP!' and you're done. You vanish from the company's life for two months, and suddenly, you cease to matter. You're no longer part of any plans.


Personally, I do not see health problems as something that should take a person off the promotion list - especially if they demonstrate potential, far-reaching ambitions, or a desire to grow. Nevertheless, I can comprehend the employer's perspective on this matter.


Now, however, an important question arises. Is this situation undergoing any transformation? Can we assert that individuals with health problems are no longer immediately sidelined? Personally, I remain unconvinced. On one hand, there are companies that proudly prioritize employing people with disabilities... but to what extent is this a mere display, and to what degree is it genuinely happening?


Ask yourself, how many people hide their problems instead of sharing them with their employers? Maybe you are one of them? Like I was for many years.


If I were to speculate on why this occurs, I believe it stems from the fear of not being accepted for who one is, and perhaps even the apprehension of jeopardizing one's job. Unlikely? Really?


My husband found a piece of information, that a study on 1200 employees in the USA showed that 60% of them hide personal problems - be it health problems, depression, etc. - from their co-workers or employers. I don't know if I can find the right link to this study, but if I do, I'll add it below in the description.


And nothing will change on this issue if we remain silent - that is why I do what I do.


I thought I'd fit a bit more valuable information into this episode, but still no... This character too, was created relatively quickly, so there's not that much material going on in the background.


Well, this part was from a work perspective and what disappointments you can experience if you are not careful about your health. The next one will be about more everyday life and what I used to call 'aftershocks'.


Now, let me briefly discuss the character taking shape before your eyes.


PART THREE:


CH04 - Dragon Time Keeper…


Casmei Ramo is a so-called Dragon Time Keeper... and funnily enough I still remember how I came up with this idea and even where I was standing, in our flat in Warsaw, Poland. I don't think I've ever concocted a more peculiar profession for a character.


On the other hand, it is quite an intriguing idea, although it also makes me wonder how this whole order still survives… after all, having dragons as enemies is not an easy thing to deal with. Nevertheless, here is Casmei's BIO:


Casmei is young and still inexperienced. Additionally, she has spent almost her entire life in a strict and fanatical order dedicated to killing dragons that have "outlived their time". She was taught how to gather information on individual dragons, pass it on to the so-called "Oracle" and ultimately, without a word of objection, end a dragon that has already lived, according to the Oracle, too long. Even when it involves very young, perhaps not even grown-up dragons.


Now she's been given another command, a rather unusual command that doesn't particularly conform to the order's code, which doesn't suit Casmei. Years ago, when Casmei was still a child, barely an apprentice, her order had taken a favor from a warlock called Neste. (Remember her? Or him.) Now the young Casmei has been chosen to repay this debt, without any idea that she is actually dealing with the Demon Lord and his evil plans.


As always, you can discover more details on my challenge page, located on ArtStation. The link is available in the description below, and in the future, you'll find it somewhere on the screen if you assist me with it, so don't forget to subscribe. ;)

So don't forget to subscribe.


PART FOUR:


On the screen…


With this specific character, my aim was to create the impression of a female character that couldn't be easily classified as a woman at first glance. I'll leave it up to you to judge how successful I was in achieving that.


Again, I could have paid more attention to my character's armor, but I felt time pressure all the time, back then so I didn't play with the details too much. She most likely would have look more impressive in some more epic armor and in some fighting stance.


By the way, have you noticed the spike inside this "hammer" that she is holding? Normally, no warrior would parade around with a weapon made partly of glass and filled with deadly poison... How good that in a world of magic and all sorts of myths one can afford a bit of madness! Hihi.


Nevertheless, that's it for today, thanks for your time, I hope this video is of some use to you. Take care of your health, please. Avoid finding yourself in a situation where a false sense of immortality disrupts or even shatters your plans and dreams. See you in the next episode, bye-bye! Go for a walk!


Or something.


PART FIVE:


Just in case...


And again - I am not a doctor or any medical professional. The information I share is based on my personal observations, insights from healthcare providers, physical therapists, and various written sources. It's important to note that what works for me may not necessarily be suitable or effective for others. Before adopting any practices or techniques mentioned be me, I strongly advise you to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk or causing harm.



Thank you for joining me on this exciting adventure. Let's make a difference together!



At the moment I don't have much to offer beyond my videos - I'm still learning how to do all of this and looking for ideas of what I could offer to people who would decide to help me. If you have any ideas, please feel free to write!



Thanks for watching!



Challenge:




Comments

bottom of page