Jim Dukes is a native of Cary, North Carolina. He was the Artist in Residence at Tapp’s Arts Center in Columbia from July 2013 to July 2014. His background is in design/build engineering and always had an internal spark for photography. He sustained two closed head injuries as a private Explosive Ordinance Disposal contractor from 1992-1996. Jim was also a radiological emergency response team lead
er based out of Los Alamos, NM where he was repeatedly exposed to high levels of depleted uranium and nerve agents. In 2012, Jim started rehabilitation for his fifth major Traumatic Brain Injury while continuing seven years of therapy for Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). He realized that as the technical part of his brain is seriously impaired, as well as his vision and hearing, the creative side is blossoming! Jim reached a crossroads during rehab where he had to answer the question, “am I disabled man, or a man with a disability?” To him, those are to different life paths. So he chose the path of redefining his life through art. Jim received his total and permanent disability rating in 2013, which allows him to stay just above the poverty level and dedicate his time to his son, partner and artistic endeavors. His hope is to inspire others with life altering circumstances, to find their voice...their expressive outlet thru music, painting, photography, etc., to enhance recovery and better their lives. His message is that life changing health crisis don't have to be an ending, but can be a beginning. In addition to creating art for his own exhibits, Jim facilitates free healing art programs for Veterans and their families in North and South Carolina. He is the current Director of Healing Arts Programming at the Big Red Barn Retreat and is a board member of Able-SC.
![Repost from Renee Henderson]•I’m loving the photos took for our family photo shoot!! ❤️🌟🖤Renee Henderson] y’all are so ...](https://img3.photlo.com/768/929/2058133607689295.jpg)
