As you know, I’ve got the design bug.
I’ve been teaching myself the ins and outs of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
People tell me I have talent and a good eye for composition. And by people, I mean the pros that have seen my work.
If I say so myself, I’ve made some pretty illustrations.
But I’ve hit a wall.
One could say that an artist is as good as their tools. And sadly, my poor old laptop, as awesome as it is, can’t handle the requirements of Adobe. Add more than five layers to the artwork and wham, it crashes. (Help me get a new one)
This laptop has served me well. But the time has come for it to get an honourary retirement and move to Florida (or wherever retired laptops go to enjoy their last years in peace and happiness).
However, as you can imagine, replacing a laptop is not easy when one is on disability. Computers are expensive in general but computers powerful enough to handle graphic design software are only second to gaming computers in terms of price. And sometimes not even.
For around $600US once can get a pretty decent laptop for surfing the web and watching Netflix. Not so for one capable of handling Ai or Ps.
Also, in case you are wondering why a laptop and not a desktop, I’ve been mostly bed-ridden for the past two- three years. I can’t sit up for more than an hour without being in intense pain. I cannot use a desktop for that reason. But I can prop myself up with pillows, place the laptop on laptop table, and work for a few hours at a time.
Another important consideration for me is the laptop weight. Heavy stuff = more pain for me. Pain in my wrists, pain in my elbows, pain in my shoulders, pain in my finger joints. And believe it or not, sleek, light laptops are more expensive than their heavy counterparts.
It all comes down basically to newer technology. You know, like with phones. Newer models are always thinner, lighter.
So, then again, it is possible to find older models that are cheaper. But older means heavier. And heavier means more pain.
I need to compromise, of course.
I am not aiming for a top of the line, cutting edge graphic design machine. But even at a compromise, a machine that will give me the power I need is around $1,500 CAD (compared to $3,500 CAD of a top of the line one).
I know I cannot get exactly what I need but with some help, I can get something good!
So here we are. I’ve created this Fundraiser to do just that.
Can you chip in?
In case you not familiar with my art, I have also created an online portfolio so you can see a sample of my work: GeekyNerd Designs
If donating is not possible at the moment, would you consider sharing my fundraiser with your networks in case some of your friends or colleagues are able to?
Thank you so much!
Summer Solstice Musings 
Hi Claudia, I’m sorry to hear you’re in so much pain all the time 😞
What’s the situation with CBD where you live? I honestly don’t think I could continue to exist without good ol’ CBD. Is your condition on Canada’s qualifying conditions list?
It’s great that in spite of living in pain, you still have drive to create. Mine disappeared during several years of gabapentin treatment, and although I’m more comfortable now having substituted cannabinoids for pharmaceuticals, my creative muse has not returned–despite my efforts to set out bait, eg, a new sketchbook, pencil sharpener, and eraser, which have always served as good muse lures in the past.
I hope you get lots of support raising funds for your new puter!
Thank you! Alas, I did not. I raised the outstanding amount of $60.
Meanwhile, a dummy wanting to become they youngest billionaire on records gets hundreds of thousands. C’est la vie, I suppose 😕
By the way, check out the latest comment on here. That person is having a hard time wrapping their head around a physician who can’t work
Hope you manage to raise the funds — have shared!
Thank you kindly! I did not but I appreciate you sharing 😊
Are you not employed? You’re a physician with no job at all?
I am not sure what to make of your comment. I even considered discarding it as trolling.
You went as far as finding out somewhere on my profile that I have an medical degree. But apparently not far enough as to find why I can’t work.
What are you trying to imply here? That you find it hard to believe that I need help? That I somehow I’m trying to con people into buying me a laptop? That I don’t have a job because I’m lazy?
Do you honestly need to ask in good will if I am not employed? Do you really think that if I were employed, I’d need help getting a laptop?
Seriously, what is it that you are looking for?
People can, and do, ask strangers and friends on the internet to give them money for things they want or need regardless of circumstance, as far as I can tell. You are well-educated and nright, and evidently artistically inclined. So, yes, I’m surprised that you are unable to generate any income at all. You may find that surprise shocking if you wish.
And you obviously feel entitled to come question my motives.
Because you are the self-appointed guardian of naive and innocent individuals who would otherwise be conned into helping people like me
So you have taken it upon yourself to uncover my act.
Oh, the world is a much safer place thanks to you. They should give you a medal, really. Such dedication!
I love your art work. Are you still illustrating? Did you get your new laptop? I am sorry to hear that you also have poor health. xo
oh, hi there. I’m sorry it took me so long to see your comment. My life has been all sorts of upside down and I hadn’t have time to log in.
That is so very sweet of you! I am not currently illustrating. I did get a new to me laptop, that someone gifted me. The fundraiser unfortunately didn’t work out. I got three donations in total. I can’t afford Adobe Illustrator at the moment, so that’s on stand-by. Truthfully, my health has been so bad, and there is so much adapting to this new life of being disabled, I hardly have time to think of anything else. But I do miss it and I hope I can go back to it in a not too distant future.
Thank you so much for caring!