Reaching for the Stars While Growing Up Disabled

by Susan Baker.
(Mount Ayr, Iowa USA)

My name is Susan Baker. I am the owner of Susi’s Workshop. I have had a long journey in this life. I was born disabled and creative.

They found out that I have a Hypothalamic Hamartoma. Also later on I would learn that I have diabetes, PCOS,and FXS. So, being disabled means you have a lot of doctors appointments, school, and stress. At the age of 8, I began to get creative, because my grandmother saw that I needed an outlet for all the stress.

Also my grandmother never raised me up that I was “disabled”, because that isn’t how my grandmother saw me. The first thing I ever made was a purple pony bead and gold elastic choker. It was pretty interesting and relaxing. I enjoyed making that necklace so I decided I would continue to make jewelry, while doing other things.

Well, growing up I had always had problems sleeping and had other kinds of issues, so I knew what would calm me down and help me sleep. I have also always been a spiritualist and christian, and other family has as well. So, growing up I always knew that grandma would wake up in the middle of the night if she hasn’t been painting.

Well, just like grandmother, is her granddaughter. There is always someone who comes in the middle of the night and wakes both of us up if we aren’t doing the thing we were born and put on this earth to do. So, even though I am disabled, I have learned that I need to continue to make jewelry. Also since I am spiritual and christian, many of my projects come through me and out of me from my spirit guides.

Many times, I don’t even know what I am going to make when I start to sit down. This keeps me going back to what I know from the years I have grown up. So, I want to share a lesson I have learned from all of this. If you let your “disability” keep you down, you wont have very far to fall. Instead jump and try to reach the stars.

They will only inspire you to grow and reach more of your potential. Know that you dont have a limit, and the stars and moon are the way to go further in your life. Keep Smiling! Life is Good!

Susan Baker
Susi’s Workshop