The Handicapped Crafter? I Think Not~!~

In 2010 I was about to fry chicken but got distractd and forgot there was a pot heating up.  By the time I remembered, I was upstairs and heard a noise in the kitchen...When I got to the kitchen the pot was in flames...I forgot everything I learned about fires and totally paniced.  The fire extinguisher was in arms distance,  the lid to the pot was in plan sight.  There was baking soda  up top on a shelf. In spite of all that help, I grabbed the handle and was headed to the sink...the handle was hot..I tried to keep the pot from falling and all of the contents spilled out onto my dominant hand....I ran to the porch and stood there. A neighbor observed me and finally came over, accessed the situation, and realized I was in shock. He yelled for his wife, and he secured my house, made sure the fire was out, called the fireman to come and make sure. Meanwhile, his wife drove me to the Hospital.  Eureka's hospital could only give me serious "YAY" drugs and send me to Wichita to the burn center.  All I could think is, I did not have insurance and would be right back home.  I did not know about St Jude and all of the wonderful shriners and such (do now and love them dearly) Burns are devestating and everybody is treated.  
Those 8 days in the burn unit was painful yet hilarious. So much so, as I lay there conteplating my future, I started writing skits for standup because I honestly did not think I would ever use my hand again.

thankfully the underside was not touched by the fire.  That's the most important part.

Not very long ago..they would have chopped it off.

Before long I was back home and immediately recorded the skits while they were fresh in my mind.  I did Willie Nelson, The Burn Unit, and introduced my audience to "Aunt Mary" a charater I created based on many Krazzy ladies in the Lower Nine.  I produced CDs and Eureka bought them.  They were accustommed to my entrepreneural spirit. From the day I moved here, I felt I'd died and gone to entrepreneur's heaven  I offered every service I knew.  10 years ago for 10 bucks..I would get their grandma off of that VHS tape and tho she was long gone, they were able to show their kids what she looked like when she laughed.  I did the same for cassettes, even making specialty playlists for them.  I would record their elderly, especially war veterans. Wonderful stories.  I may upload some of them to Youtube.  My pal Ron Ebberts is already there ( a local Mark Twain..he died 2 years ago but lives on Ron on Youtube

Of course Eureka rallied around me and sponsored many events on my behalf.

My best bud Rebecca Schmidt was at my beck and call, taking me to occupational therapy twice a week.  I was surprised to learn that most people deny occupational therapy. Pity.  Every little bit helps.  I had many welfare services available but denied them...The doctor was not hopeful about how much use I would gain.  I could not hold a glass.  I told that man he must be out of his mind because I am left-handed and I was going to use this hand come hell or high water.  I could not comb my hair or hardly any personal stuff.  I was to proud to have people do these things for me. Therapy was painful but I refused ot give up.

I am proud to say that by September (the fire was in July) I was partially back in the saddle again.

I usualy sold my  wares at the Eureka Farmer's Market and felt ready for my first outing.

 Eureka used to  have a HedgeBall Tossing contest.  I miss Mardi Gras so would  always dress up in something silly  I could not miss that year. I wore a catabult on my head..lol

I went thru a mild depression.  Every woman  wants to look attractive and for the first time in my life, I felt ugly.  I decided I could not stay there..so I grieved and moved on..After Katrina, my brother drew this picture he dreamed.  My elderly parents and one brother were trapped By some miracle (dad was a bedridden well fed by mama, stroke victim) my brother got them to the roof so helicopters could see them..the picture depicts Angels protecting them...I feel Angels protected me as well...

Today I use this hand like I always did...It hurts when its cold and must not get dry.  I thank my therapist for suggesting I learn to tool leather.  It works every bone in my hand. I knew traditional tooling would bore me to tears, so I tool weird stuff, like the weirdo I am...lol

thanks for dropping by

cjEureka