Broken by fate, Still inspired to Create

Richard Ellingson Start Date: Jan 1, 2025 - End Date: Jun 30, 2025
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Utah, United States of America
  • California, United States of America
  • Nevada, United States of America
  • Arizona, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Richard Ellingson Start Date: Jan 1, 2025 - End Date: Jun 30, 2025
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
I had been planning a fine art photo trip to Southern Utah and desert areas of Nevada, California and Arizona for years. Before I was ready to go in Jan 2023 - I slipped on ice and broke my left patella (kneecap) which had to be reattached to my patella tendon. It was a five month recovery, and it never will be the same. Then in Oct 2023 the hospital ER misdiagnosed an infection on my neck after a minor medical procedure. (I was sent home saying I just had a flu when in fact I had a serious strep infection and had to return a day later close to death) I had to have two horrible surgeries to remove necrotic tissue and was on a wound vacuum for several months. I am left with constant pain and pressure due to scar tissue impingement of the super-scapular nerve. This will require further surgery to alleviate pain. Then on Aug 13th of 2024, just prior to my neck treatment while crossing a crosswalk a 20 year old girl, who was most likely texting, ran a red light and struck me while I was on a bike. I sustained 4 broken bones. I was two months in the hospital and nursing center. I live alone. My right leg, lower tibia plateau was shattered, a very serious break. Goodbye to 50 years of hiking and tennis. Thrown from my bike I struck the curb which broke my upper humerus arm on my left side, my left wrist and left thumb. Being a professional level guitarist as well as photographer this has been very debilitating and I still cannot play effectively close to five months after the accident. I am just now (Jan 2025) learning to walk again and leave the wheelchair behind.

I still have a dream to do fine art photography in the desert areas of the Southwest. I am faced with changing the places I go. My new goal is the photograph areas that can be easily accessed by either a wheelchair or very little hiking due to my current physical limitations. After being cooped-up for two plus years I am eager to go in the fall of 2025. I plan a combination of van camping and occasional motels. I hope to create dozens of fine art photographs and a possible coffee table book. I am seeking help to make my dream come true.
  • Utah, United States of America
  • California, United States of America
  • Nevada, United States of America
  • Arizona, United States of America