The Princess

To My Beloved Royalty...

So, I had the following momentarily posted a few weeks back, then removed it. Let me re-post it:

So, a lot of you know I've been Going Through Things in my personal life. Last summer, after losing a job, a lot of things had caught up and I had a bit of what we would once have called a "nervous breakdown". I dealt with some major depression and suicidal ideation, and spent too much time in my home, beyond closed doors, trying to hang in, not give up.

A few months ago my case manager in the mental health department of Kaiser referred me to the California Department of Rehabilitation, which helps people with disabilities enter the work force. I was a bit stunned, not in least by being considered to have a disability.

I talked with my therapist, and she wrote a diagnosis. Included in this was not only major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, but panic disorder with agoraphobia. That..... took me aback. But considering the dread I feel when I need to leave the home.... the anxiety and fear.... I couldn't deny it, and I came to see myself in a new light.

I showed the Department of Rehabilitation people this comic, and they determined that a career in art was quite possible. They've sent me back to school. and I'm now taking classes in digital animation.

I mention this for two reasons. The first, quite simply, is that I expect that there will be delays to strip in the future. It's pretty near inevitable considering the work I'll need to focus elsewhere. I hope you understand.

The second quite simply is that I had the lesson hammered home that while I have my limitations, there are those who offered to help, and that there's no shame in accepting that help I don't have to do everything by myself. While I have some unusual challenges, I've found that it's possible to get assistance, advocacy, and to move on to new pastures

We all have some challenges. I know some find theirs insurmountable. I know some of you have trouble just making it from one day to the next, and have trouble seeing that the fact that you've made a choice to survive is a greater testament to your strength than if you'd climbed Everest. I know that finding help seems impossible, and that it's pointless to try. I've been blessed this past year to have gotten what I needed. I encourage you all to do what you need to survive, even if that only means making the choice to make it to the next day. When help is offered, know that it's an act of strength to take it. I wish you all happiness, and lives you find worth the living. My best wishes for you all.

I truly apologize to those who reached out to me in the past year who got no response. Doing the simplest things, even checking email, became tasks bigger than I was able to take on. I encourage you to try again.

-C

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Comments:



Israfel
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Guest post by "Israfel"
I am glad that you were able to get help! While I do not know you personally, I am quite fond of this comic, and through it I feel as though I know you. I hope you are able to continue it to its conclusion and stay strong throughout life. I also hope that school works out and you find some well paying arty job. Thank you for regularly contributing to my week.

Submitted September 14, 2014 at 10:10PM



Bonnie
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Guest post by "Bonnie"
*leaves super-big hugs all over the comments page for you* Have fun in school! (I suppose this means that we'll eventually see some more style changes as you learn the tools of the trade, but that's to be expected.)

Submitted September 15, 2014 at 4:20AM




W. Lotus
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Guest post by "W. Lotus"
Congratulations, because this is HUGE. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed. Best wishes!

Submitted September 15, 2014 at 7:12AM



alice
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Guest post by "alice"
So glad to read that update Smile well done you! *all the hugggs*

Submitted September 15, 2014 at 11:12AM



Ozaline
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Guest post by "Ozaline"
I'm glad you found help, and are looking at a promising new career. Love the comic, but delays are fine... take care of yourself and best of luck with your schooling.

Submitted September 16, 2014 at 1:35AM




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Guest post by "Anonymous"
Just got refered to this comic earlier today and read through it all since then (and I was planning an early night too . . .). Anway I'm glad to hear things are starting to pick up considering some of the comments on your situation earlier and I hope you enjoy your art classes.

As for your comic I really enjoyed reading it especially the facial expressions you put into your characters and I'm rather entertained Sarah's completely clueless that without her to act as a ground Irma's slipping a bit out of control. Anyway looking forward to your next update and again I really enjoyed reading through this as I got caught up.

Oh and after that strip of Penny hugging her little doll I really want to give the poor girl a hug.

Submitted September 16, 2014 at 4:58AM



Senko
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Guest post by "Senko"
Almost forget I don't know if its deliberate on your part but even when dressed as Seth a few strips back Sarah really did look more feminine than she did when dressing as a boy at the start.

Submitted September 16, 2014 at 4:59AM



wondering
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Guest post by "wondering"
I'm so glad that things are working in your favour! Congratulations and enjoy school! It will be hard, but we will be here. So many virtual hugs!

Submitted September 16, 2014 at 6:22AM



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