WhackyShack

In the United States, there are more than 200,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year. In 2009 I was one of them. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that can affect movement and motor skills, cause muscle stiffness and pain, slurred speech, balance instability and more. Currently there is no cure - only treatments to help relieve the symptoms and maintain quality of life.

One “therapy” discovered and practiced by many Parkinson’s patients is art. For some, like me, art has been a lifelong hobby. Others have discovered their talent only after their diagnosis was made. It is thought that the medications prescribed to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease inspire and enhance creativity. Whatever the reason, Parkinson’s patients find an escape in the world of art.

I was born with a love of art and I learned at an early age about “upcycling” although it wasn’t called that back then. My mother and grandmother were upcycling artists in their own way. I watched as they took scraps of fabrics leftover from sewing projects or even harvested from outgrown clothing, cast off curtains, rugs, flour sacks, etc. and pieced them together into beautiful quilts. Those stunning pieces of art weren’t admired or saved as heirlooms. Instead, they were, out of necessity, used by family members to keep beds warm at night.

Everything in my shop is made by hand, by me unless otherwise noted, in my tiny studio. My shop is by no means overflowing. That is because Parkinson's makes me a very slow worker! Projects take longer to complete these days. But regardless of the time they take, I still continue to try new things. This, as you may have discovered, makes my Etsy shop a bit of a hodge podge! But that’s just the way it’s going to be. It is indeed a Whacky Shack!

Covid has changed the lives of everyone. For me and my sister, it has brought about a new project. The Barbie Christmas Donation Project will see refurbished Barbies paired with new handsewn wardrobes and decorative storage boxes. These are being donated to needy kids this holiday season. You can read this story and follow our progress or check out many other stories on my blog at Whackyshack.com. It includes art, recipes, home decor, gardening art ideas, and more. It will also allow you to follow my journey with Parkinson’s Disease.

“Reality is for those with no imagination.”

Thank you for stopping by!

Pamela