Maria thinks that her paintbrush is the best drug she's ever had

Maria Pia is Italian and has epilepsy. She explains how painting helps her epilepsy.

I'm Maria and I was diagnosed with epilepsy 10 years ago, when I was 25. I have absence seizures. My absence seizures come without warning - I lose muscle control, I can't talk and I can't understand what is happening. I slowly lost my memory and have not a lot of memories left.

Unfortunately, my seizures are drug resistant. That's why I'm looking forward to surgery to make that all stop, fingers crossed!

I don't describe myself as a painter, but art helps me to communicate what I can't say in words. I think my paintbrush is the best drug I've ever had.

I've been painting for a year now and my art expresses all that I can't say during my 'dark moments'. These 'black instants' only last a few seconds, but art if forever and ever - it is the only 'drug' that is working for me!

More information

You can view the rest of Maria's artwork on our Flickr gallery.