I'm way way too familiar with that learning curve fatigue. My disability affects my memory, and I'm trying to learn a couple programs myself. It's hard when you can't remember too well. If you get Photoshop, try to also get a book I highly recommend called Real world Photoshop
http://www.amazon.com/Real-World-Adobe-Photoshop-CS2/dp/0321334116
You can likely find versions to cover everything up to CS2. It covers all the basic stuff you'll need to learn in Photoshop in a real world working situation, and is about the best book on Photoshop there is.

Talent is God's gift to you. Using it is your gift to God.