Lyme Inspired Creations

Being a craftivist feels really good...I've known in my heart for a very long time that helping others was a calling for me.  I remember watching those "adopt-a-child" TV programs in elementary school....wanting to sponsor a child of my own.  

I enjoy sewing and making things with my hands, taking pictures with my trusty point and shoot, seeing the beauty in ordinary things and incorporating them into my work.  Adding a spin of Lyme awareness has been a new challenge of mine.

Here are some of my latest creations with Lyme in mind...

This is a Lyme Inspired clutch that was donated to benefit the recent Elizabeth Chalker fundraising event in Florida.  She is well short of her goal & is still in need of help to get her life-saving treatment.

Here are some clutches that I recently made, sporting the same wild zig zag free motion stitching.

 

I sent this one off to New York to help fellow Lymenaide team member & creator of LymeBites.com, Eric Rutulante, raise money for his costly Lyme treatment.  

If you are lucky enough to know Eric, they you are probably familiar with his uplifting sense of humor & steadfast dedication to spreading Lyme awareness.  He was featured recently in the news for an interview with his local station & was instrumental in the success of the "Paint May Lyme Green" campaign..  Click here to watch his news interview.

(below is a detail shot of the free motion stitching on the back of the clutch pictured above)

I recently received an order from someone who had a friend who has been battling Lyme Disease.  They wanted to get her something that was special & personal which carried our message of awareness on it.  With some help from my Lyme friends (thanks Abbie!), we simply came up with "Chronic Lyme is Real."                                                                                                                                             Contrary to how the current IDSA guidelines are written, Chronic Lyme disease IS real, does exist & can be a persistant infection that has been known to illude the savviest of medical professionals, especially those who are not Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMD's).  Sadly, most Lyme patients are faced with the unique challenge of having to PROVE THEIR ILLNESS to the medical community...usually with strong resistance.  

It is my hope that through my craftivism efforts, more people will come to know the truths about Lyme disease to help prevent new infections from happening & create positive change that will help those already suffering from Lyme.  They need access to knowledgeable LLMD's, the treatment of their choice, and for their insurance to cover it.  They need support from their family, friends, community & government.  

I know I am just one person & that I alone won't be able to accomplish all these things...but I do believe in the power of a dream, a vision, a goal, a calling...whatever you want to call it.  I'm putting it out there & looking for others who share my dream, who have the same vision & want to come along on this journey with me and the rest of the Lymenaide team.

 This Lyme Inspired Clutch is now listed in my Etsy shop at:  http://www.VictoriousVixen.Etsy.com

You can check out more pictures of my Lyme Inspired creations here.

Winner , Wrist Cuffs & Collaboration!

Drum roll please...we have a winner!  =)

Congrats to Diane Ballou, the 6th entry of the giveaway!!  Please email your address to:  Nani@VictoriousVixen.com to claim your custom quilted "Optical Delusion" wallet!  =)

She shared these comments with us:

I have had Lyme disease since 2001. I was on a camping weekend in Durham, NC when I was infected. I got the bullseye rash. Then my hands began to swell and become extremely painful. I was very lucky, after 5 months of not finding anyone to treat me, I found a wonderful Lyme Doctor. I was in treatment for only 1 year before I went into remission. I was in remission for almost 7 years when I had a major spinal surgery and with my body being under so much stress, the remission was gone and I am now in full blown active chronic Lyme. My first symptoms were the bullseye rash, followed by swollen, painful hands.

Thanks to everyone who participated & shared their story with us.  I think it is really important for everyone to know what the early symptoms are so they can get treated right away...after the first 30 days, you're looking at a long term chronic infection, the kind that the IDSA says doesn't exist, but is rather "the aches and pains of daily living."  Those in the Lyme community, the actual patients (like those who commented on my blog) & the Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMD) don't agree with the IDSA...and neither do I.

Why would the IDSA say that???  Good question...it's the question I had when I started to dig around the Internet & find out about this strange disease that had taken hold of my dad, years after infection & well into treatment.  Why would the IDSA say that there is no such thing as "Chronic Lyme Disease?"  

I believe it is because of money, plain & simple.  The Lyme documentary, "Under Our Skin" exposes the epidemic of Lyme and the politics that surround it.  It is a shameful thing.  Because of the way the IDSA wrote up the "guidelines" for treatment, it allows the insurance companies to DENY treatment.  After all, you can treat a disease that doesn't exist!  But to the Lyme patients out there, the pain & suffering is undeniable, with or without your insurance company's approval...you'll do anything, spend any amount of money in the hopes of regaining your health.

As a craftivist, I want to use my talents & abilities to reach out & help others.  I joined forces with the Lymenaide team, who share the same passion for awareness & activism that I do.  I am designing & sewing up a series of Lyme inspired wrist cuffs & other sewn items for Lymenaide, The Vampire Diaries & more.

I am seeking out others to help me with a project that has really touched my heart.  Elizabeth Chalker is a single woman who lives in Florida.  Due to years of misdiagnosis, her condition has deteriorated to the point where she needs extensive specialized treatment, amounting to over $100,000 for just the first year!  She lives alone with only her dog, Symon, for companionship and weekly visits from her friend & mom, Corey Cameron.

There are no special programs that she qualifies for & has been abandoned by her friends & family.  Despite fundraising efforts, she is $45,000 away from starting her life-saving treatment.  It is my hope, that after you visit her website, you too will be touched by her story & moved to help in whatever way you can. 

Victorious For Elizabeth...a project where I'm hoping to bring crafters & "Lymies" together to use their resources to help Elizabeth Chalker get the help she needs.  Here is a sneak peek at the wrist cuffs I have been designing & sewing for her fundraiser...

I welcome donations for this project.  I am specifically looking for lots of purple prints & butterflies for Elizabeth.  Here is a little list of the types of things that I can use:

• purple fabric
• beads of all kinds
• fiber...I don't have much right now & could really use it
• thread...purple, variegated, metallic
• trim...again, think deep purple
• butterflies...especially looking for a transparent blue or purple variety
• Big buttons or glass closures/beads for the wrist cuffs...re-purpose your buttons from old clothing!

If you'd like to donate money for me to buy supplies, that is always appreciated as well.  Fabric & material donations can be mailed to:

Victorious Vixen

P.O. Box 2404

Cypress, CA 90630

If you are crafty, creative & would like to participate in this project somehow, or if you have ideas on other ways to help, please leave a comment below or email me at:  Nani@VictoriousVixen.com.

I am really looking forward to collaborating with other artists!  =)

Sending my love & positive thoughts out to my Lyme friends & supporters...your stories continue to inspire me to push forward with the intention of creating positive change!

--Nani

one of my creations, inspired by

Traci Bautista's Collage Unleashed book & online workshops...