Hi All!
I'm Toni and I opened my Etsy shop, Weathered Porch Creations, almost 8 months ago. I suffer from a neurological condition called Chiari Malformation, for which I had brain and spinal surgery 3.5 years ago. Chronic illness has drastically altered my life's path and, in early 2011 I became unable to work any longer. Earlier this year, I was declared permanently and totally disabled and I am now confined to a wheelchair. After such a lengthy period of being focused on the things I can no longer do, the goals that are no longer attainable, the dreams that are no longer within reach, I'd had enough. I am a realist by nature, but I am not a pessimist. I refused to let the "can'ts" and "unables" rule my life anymore and I began to search for things I CAN still do. It was then that I found art as a creative outlet and, shortly thereafter, Weathered Porch Creations was born. I opened my (virtual) doors on February 9, 2012 and haven't looked back since. My creations are a way to channel the stresses and energies that come with living with chronic illness and disability as well as a way to share my passion with others and help contribute to my household's income.
If you would like to hear more about my story, you may read my personal profile here:
http://www.etsy.com/people/Cocahina Or my shop's "about" page, here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeatheredPorch/about/ Thank you for the invitation to this team. I look forward to networking with all of you! :)
