short illustrated story

[pleyland]

hi everyone I’ve just finished a short story about my experiences of stroke and recovery. I’ve illustrated it using Ai images. I’d really appreciate any feedback as I’m hoping to expand on it with other people’s stories illustrated in the same way.

paulleyland.co.uk/journey-t...

BW

Paul

[BadSkater]

I thought this was brilliant. I think many others will take lessons from your journey.

[pleyland in reply to BadSkater]

Thank you

[James1984]

That is such a great story Paul! I can relate to you on so many aspects of your injury. Hopefully others can have an insight into what stroke is really like for many.

Perhaps you can publish your story in a community newspaper or Headway newsletter?

[pleyland in reply to James1984]

Thank you James

I think that was my plan. On the outside I’m aware that I appear to be normal but battle with the fallout on a daily basis.

I’m hoping to build a website with this and other stories as a resource for survivors. Hopefully their friend and family might as you say gain a little insight too,

[HelenaD]

hi Paul, you are a very talented writer. Have you ever thought of pitching your journey to the nationals? The Times Weekend edition has recently just finished doing a weekly column from a lady who is paralysed from the neck down following an accident. Also I think the Guardian runs stories like yours too. Personally I found the illustrations scary so I didn’t like them but then others might find them helpful to explain to their families what’s going on in their head. Hope this helps.

[pleyland in reply to HelenaD]

Thank you Helena

I did think about it but struggled to find the appropriate contact. I’ll take another look.

Thought you might like this image that came up with Ai when I described a funny turn.

[Spridget]

Superb!

I must confess I'd been skeptical of gen AI in most use cases so far, but you've made it work brilliantly here. The imagery you've come up with is perfect for capturing that unsettling, alien feeling that comes from having to re-learn how to perceive and interact with a world that is superficially similar but fundamentally shifted after a brain injury.

It really resonated with me (I'm 5 months into my recovery from a ruptured AVM)- I feel like I'm on a similar journey. Every slight headache is still somewhat frightening, especially at night and I often end up stuck awake wondering whether I need to get help or not.

Glad you're finding a path to recovery through your hobbies. I was halfway through restoring a classic car when I fell ill, and I'm still determined to finish it and auction it off for charity now that I can no longer drive myself- I'm a long way off being able to do any serious metalwork but I have been able to tackle a few small components in short sessions at my workbench. Small steps...

All the best for your ongoing recovery!

[pleyland in reply to Spridget]

Thank you I really appreciate your feedback.

5 months is very early days it’s partly about recovery, partly finding new ways of doing things and also about accepting the new you. You’ll get there in the end.

I look forward to seeing images of a beautifully restored car on here in the future. As you say one step at a time.

Best of luck and thanks again.

[fivestring]

Hi Paul, you've done really well with getting everything down in your story, so well done. If you decide to publish, please check the copyright rules for illustrations, as I think if the words are your own, you are allowed to copyright, but if you use AI, you can't copyright those illustrations as you haven't drawn/created them, but you can still publish as a book the words and illustrations but only copyright 'words by ....'

Have a check on the net. Take care, fivestring.

[pleyland]

thanks

Yes it definitely looks like a new and very woolly area. I’ll check it out. As I’m not looking to make a profit from it all should be ok.