A Stroke, a Coma, and a Renaissance: How One Woman Reclaimed Her Life Through Art
Kim Jameson, a 45-year-old from the Gold Coast in Queensland, found her world irrevocably altered by a sudden, devastating stroke. The words from her doctor were a shock she struggled to comprehend: she had suffered a stroke months prior and had been in a coma for ten days. The memory of this harrowing period was a blank, despite being told multiple times. Her ordeal began on September 8, 2021, when she was discovered unconscious in bed and rushed to hospital. Surgeons were forced to remove the right side of her skull to alleviate dangerous swelling on her brain. In the weeks leading up to this critical event, she had experienced migraines, which she had unfortunately dismissed as minor. Her life, as she knew it, had vanished.
The aftermath of the stroke was a gruelling five-month journey of intensive physiotherapy. Kim had to relearn fundamental life skills, including walking, showering, and dressing. The left side of her body was unresponsive, and her memory remained fragmented. Yet, a fierce determination to recover burned within her, not only for herself but also for her 12-year-old son, Jacob. When she finally regained enough strength to walk short distances with the aid of a stick, she was permitted to return home.
Her sister, Jillian, aged 43, had been a constant pillar of support, stepping in to care for Jacob and providing unwavering emotional strength. Jillian’s presence was a lifeline during this incredibly challenging time.
In 2023, a significant turning point arrived with Kim’s approval for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This access to proper support ignited a renewed sense of hope within her. The following year, she decided to invest in herself and her recovery. She purchased a blank canvas, a symbolic gesture of her desire to reclaim her identity. “It’s time to get myself back,” she thought.
Before the stroke, Kim had a passion for fluid art, a creative process involving pouring and swiping paint to create mesmerising, abstract patterns. However, the illness had completely halted this cherished activity. Determined to reconnect with her artistic spirit, Kim enrolled in the Sheleeart Bloom E-Course. This course provided her with the essential skills and techniques to work with fluid paints once more. As she tentatively guided the paint across the canvas, a spark of her former excitement began to flicker back to life.
Upon completing her first piece, Kim couldn’t help but laugh, albeit with a touch of self-deprecation. “This is terrible!” she exclaimed to her support workers, who joined her in laughter. They offered encouragement, and Kim, with a knowing smile, declared, “But just wait. You’ll see.”
Kim dedicated herself to painting every single day, her skills gradually improving as she rediscovered her artistic rhythm. When she felt confident, she began sharing videos of her creative process online. The response was nothing short of astonishing. Individuals living with disabilities flocked to the comments section, sharing their own experiences and offering words of admiration. “You’re such an inspiration,” one commenter wrote. For the first time since her stroke, Kim felt a profound sense of purpose.
Her online videos rapidly gained momentum, accumulating millions of views across platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. One video, in particular, achieved an extraordinary seven million views. Recognising the broader impact her art could have, Kim generously donated 200 of her practice paintings to a charity shop, ensuring each piece found a loving home. During the Christmas season, she made it a tradition to gift her paintings to those in need of a thoughtful present.
One day, a heartfelt message arrived from a woman who shared how her daughter, who has cerebral palsy, absolutely adored Kim’s videos. Moved by this connection, Kim painted a piece specifically for the young girl and posted it to her the following day. The daughter’s thrilled reaction brought immense joy to Kim. More recently, Kim has begun selling her artwork through her Etsy shop, Kimjamesonart. The income generated from these sales plays a crucial role in supporting Jacob, as Kim is no longer able to work in a traditional capacity. Her future aspirations include the dream of hosting her own art exhibition.
Nowadays, Kim experiences chronic pain, which often necessitates periods of rest. However, she remains committed to her craft, dedicating an hour each morning to creating art. Her advice to anyone living with a disability is simple yet powerful: “Find one thing that makes you happy and do it every day.” For Kim, painting is more than just a hobby; it’s an escape. When she paints, it’s not merely the colours that flow, but Kim herself. She flows into a world where she is defined by her capabilities as an artist, and where nothing else matters. In the depths of her heart, she knows this is her true identity.
