Disabled Woman Wishes to gain confidence and financially contribute through Art Glass Business
Date Published:
I humbly request to be considered for funding to help me purchase items needed to finalize the setup for my small art glass business.
My financial need stems from lifelong chronic health issues. I was declared disabled as a teenager, which entitled me to SSDI “survivor benefits.” I was privileged enough that my family could afford a surgical device called an occipital neurostimulator for chronic intractable migraine, which was not covered by insurance and was paid for out-of-pocket. The device improved my quality of life after its implantation in 2013, and allowed me to graduate from university.
During my late collegiate years, a seizure disorder was discovered but was well controlled at the time. After graduation, I was able to work part-time, and eventually tried working full-time. Being able to earn money and financially contribute to my household with my fiance (now husband) has been extremely important to me, and significantly reduced the common feelings of “burden” and “guilt” that many people with chronic illness often face. A job gave me a sense of purpose and greatly increased my self-esteem.
Unfortunately over the years, multiple complications arose from my implanted device. That which had previously improved my intractable chronic migraine eventually began to lose effectiveness, in addition to causing other significant pain to numerous complications. I had 3 surgeries between November 2021 and November 2022, 2 of which were botched/unsuccessful, and after which I finally opted for an explanation of the device after over a year of agonizing pain. I am still paying off one of these surgeries. While the removal of the neurostimulator resolved the pain, discomfort, and chronic inflammation caused by its complications and unsuccessful surgeries, it unfortunately led to the decline in control of my chronic intractable migraine pain. The neurostimulator had previously been my main defense over my chronic migraine disorder. Additionally, 2022 marriage disqualified me from the type of SSDI I had been receiving, as well as the Medicare that ensured I could see the doctors and specialists required to treat my multiple conditions..
After the stress of 3 surgeries within a year (to the exact date, I might add), in addition to the stress of attempting to work full-time at a corporate job where ethical concerns brought me to the point of a mental breakdown, my previously well-controlled seizures progressed into Intractable Epilepsy. There were days I was asked - and complied against better judgment - to return to work the same day that I suffered a significant tonic-clonic seizure witnessed by teammates. Several hospitalizations later, it was recommended that I reduce my work schedule for my mental and physical health. As a result, I lost the FMLA that I was previously entitled to, which had been protecting me from being fired. I am lucky to be insured on my husband’s insurance plan, but at a significantly increased cost.
Not long after my reduction to part-time, despite excellent attendance and monthly “Excellent” ratings for work quality, I was given warning for termination, despite documentation detailing hospital stays. I was told by my workplace that all absences were considered “unexcused,” even if proof of overnight hospitalization had been submitted. The worry of the “proverbial axe” constantly hanging over my head, plus high turnover within my team and sub-team, continued to elevate stress levels, especially when customers began to track down my personal information and contact me outside of work for resolutions on their issues.
In July 2024 I opted to submit my resignation from my Customer Service Operations Support (aka Customer Service Escalations) at the strong suggestion from my medical team. For the moment, we are surviving on my husband’s public teacher salary, with him working a second job picking up courses at a local college.
I’m now looking to restart my own glass and jewelry business, which I had put on hold while working other jobs. I am now in the process of rebuilding my own art glass business, which will allow me to set my own hours and create in my home studio, allowing me to navigate the challenges of my disabilities. Additionally, it will allow me to regain the ability to financially contribute to my household, as well as regain my self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
I have been a hobbyist lampworker and glass artist for a number of years, and had worked out of my basement until a flood in the spring of 2020 required remodeling of the basement. The repairs have now been completed, and my LLC renewal for my business is currently in progress.
In June 2024 I took an Enamels course at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts on scholarship. While I love and am passionate about lampworking and flameworking glass beads and pendants, if my epilepsy were to become active or uncontrolled again, I would be unable to safely sit in front of the torch (oxygen/propane fueled flame) required for this art form. Additionally, severe flares in migraine pain decrease the amount of time I can spend in front of a torch. I chose to learn enamels so that if my health does decline again, I would still have a form of art glass to be able to safely and comfortably create, as well as sell and sustain a business. Enameling on metals does not require a torch, and is an art form I can safely create even when my migraines and/or epilepsy are not well-controlled.
Unfortunately, for safety reasons, enameling requires an enameling kiln, also known as a kiln with a front-facing door (as opposed to a top-opening kiln or swing-top kiln). I humbly request funding to contribute to the purchase of an Enameling Kiln so that I may keep my business running no matter the status of my health.
While an enamel kiln is my main request, other expenses that I am not yet able to cover from my savings include Accounting software (ex. Quickbooks subscription), and fees for a dedicated website for my business.Plan for running an electrical line to a separate fuse for the kiln (so as to not trip the breaker if other appliances are running) are also in the works but not fully funded.
I humbly thank you for your time and consideration.
My financial need stems from lifelong chronic health issues. I was declared disabled as a teenager, which entitled me to SSDI “survivor benefits.” I was privileged enough that my family could afford a surgical device called an occipital neurostimulator for chronic intractable migraine, which was not covered by insurance and was paid for out-of-pocket. The device improved my quality of life after its implantation in 2013, and allowed me to graduate from university.
During my late collegiate years, a seizure disorder was discovered but was well controlled at the time. After graduation, I was able to work part-time, and eventually tried working full-time. Being able to earn money and financially contribute to my household with my fiance (now husband) has been extremely important to me, and significantly reduced the common feelings of “burden” and “guilt” that many people with chronic illness often face. A job gave me a sense of purpose and greatly increased my self-esteem.
Unfortunately over the years, multiple complications arose from my implanted device. That which had previously improved my intractable chronic migraine eventually began to lose effectiveness, in addition to causing other significant pain to numerous complications. I had 3 surgeries between November 2021 and November 2022, 2 of which were botched/unsuccessful, and after which I finally opted for an explanation of the device after over a year of agonizing pain. I am still paying off one of these surgeries. While the removal of the neurostimulator resolved the pain, discomfort, and chronic inflammation caused by its complications and unsuccessful surgeries, it unfortunately led to the decline in control of my chronic intractable migraine pain. The neurostimulator had previously been my main defense over my chronic migraine disorder. Additionally, 2022 marriage disqualified me from the type of SSDI I had been receiving, as well as the Medicare that ensured I could see the doctors and specialists required to treat my multiple conditions..
After the stress of 3 surgeries within a year (to the exact date, I might add), in addition to the stress of attempting to work full-time at a corporate job where ethical concerns brought me to the point of a mental breakdown, my previously well-controlled seizures progressed into Intractable Epilepsy. There were days I was asked - and complied against better judgment - to return to work the same day that I suffered a significant tonic-clonic seizure witnessed by teammates. Several hospitalizations later, it was recommended that I reduce my work schedule for my mental and physical health. As a result, I lost the FMLA that I was previously entitled to, which had been protecting me from being fired. I am lucky to be insured on my husband’s insurance plan, but at a significantly increased cost.
Not long after my reduction to part-time, despite excellent attendance and monthly “Excellent” ratings for work quality, I was given warning for termination, despite documentation detailing hospital stays. I was told by my workplace that all absences were considered “unexcused,” even if proof of overnight hospitalization had been submitted. The worry of the “proverbial axe” constantly hanging over my head, plus high turnover within my team and sub-team, continued to elevate stress levels, especially when customers began to track down my personal information and contact me outside of work for resolutions on their issues.
In July 2024 I opted to submit my resignation from my Customer Service Operations Support (aka Customer Service Escalations) at the strong suggestion from my medical team. For the moment, we are surviving on my husband’s public teacher salary, with him working a second job picking up courses at a local college.
I’m now looking to restart my own glass and jewelry business, which I had put on hold while working other jobs. I am now in the process of rebuilding my own art glass business, which will allow me to set my own hours and create in my home studio, allowing me to navigate the challenges of my disabilities. Additionally, it will allow me to regain the ability to financially contribute to my household, as well as regain my self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
I have been a hobbyist lampworker and glass artist for a number of years, and had worked out of my basement until a flood in the spring of 2020 required remodeling of the basement. The repairs have now been completed, and my LLC renewal for my business is currently in progress.
In June 2024 I took an Enamels course at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts on scholarship. While I love and am passionate about lampworking and flameworking glass beads and pendants, if my epilepsy were to become active or uncontrolled again, I would be unable to safely sit in front of the torch (oxygen/propane fueled flame) required for this art form. Additionally, severe flares in migraine pain decrease the amount of time I can spend in front of a torch. I chose to learn enamels so that if my health does decline again, I would still have a form of art glass to be able to safely and comfortably create, as well as sell and sustain a business. Enameling on metals does not require a torch, and is an art form I can safely create even when my migraines and/or epilepsy are not well-controlled.
Unfortunately, for safety reasons, enameling requires an enameling kiln, also known as a kiln with a front-facing door (as opposed to a top-opening kiln or swing-top kiln). I humbly request funding to contribute to the purchase of an Enameling Kiln so that I may keep my business running no matter the status of my health.
While an enamel kiln is my main request, other expenses that I am not yet able to cover from my savings include Accounting software (ex. Quickbooks subscription), and fees for a dedicated website for my business.Plan for running an electrical line to a separate fuse for the kiln (so as to not trip the breaker if other appliances are running) are also in the works but not fully funded.
I humbly thank you for your time and consideration.
