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