"Creativity is intelligence having fun." – Albert Einstein. What is better than letting your mind run free? I find that the best way I can relax is through one of my favorite hobbies as a seamstress. From creating patterns to sewing finished garments, I fell in love with this craft years ago and have never fallen out. Being self-taught and only learning "proper" techniques later in life, my craft is something I take great pride in, and I find it is a beautiful way to relax, unwind, and enjoy my creativity. There is a lot to love in sewing. The process is long and complex, and there is a significant learning curve, but the finished product is the best feeling, rivaled only by the pride you feel when people compliment your work or ask from where an item was purchased. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing something was made with your own hands, from beginning to end, and I enjoy the creative liberties I allot for myself. As someone who enjoys bringing joy to others, I have had the opportunity to expand my hobby over the last few years. When masks were challenging to find at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I sewed and donated around a thousand masks to local medical professionals, hospitals, and other essential workers. After giving masks to friends and family who could not find masks for purchase as well, I was also approached about creating and sending fifty or so masks to a school in the Philippines. Utilizing a skill I have so lovingly fostered over the years to give back and help others brings me great satisfaction. Since then, I have continued making masks in fun patterns and designs. I often gift these masks to friends and family and hope that wearing them will brighten someone's day. With each piece I create, I can see my skills progress, and I am always eager to continue to challenge myself.

Chronic illnesses are simply a bump in the road, not a blockade; this is something I remind myself often as I navigate life with two autoimmune conditions and one related auto-inflammatory condition. Having been diagnosed at age 3 with Uveitis and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, now known as JIA, and more recently, being diagnosed a year ago with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, I have spent the last 21 years of my life navigating life with autoimmune conditions and their challenges. My diagnoses have caused me many obstacles to overcome throughout the years and have shaped me into a more resilient person than I ever would have been without them. I aged knowing my sight was at risk and was pulled hourly from classes to receive vision-saving eye drops. I received painful steroid joint injections to regain mobility in rigid, otherwise aching joints. Still, I participated in sports, though I knew my limits and enjoyed extracurriculars. I took and continue to take necessary medications regardless of the risks. I realized tomorrow is never promised, and it is more important to live for today. Despite the difficulties of my diagnosis and its medications, I continue growing and learning; I am grateful for my self-discovery and how I have evolved. Maturing with multiple doctor appointments a week has taught me time management and given me so much personal strength early in life. Fundraising for research for a cure from a young age taught me to be approachable and interact with others professionally. Enjoying my youth to its fullest taught me to power through challenges but to still know and respect my limits. Attending undergraduate college while taking weekly injections has taught me independence and the importance of knowing my body and its needs. Now I work full time, attend graduate school online, and independently sew masks and take commissions while receiving immuno-suppressant infusions every six weeks. I've learned to combine the lessons of time management, self-care, and internal drive which my body's challenges have taught me, and use them to push myself to be my best self. I take great pride in giving back to my community, particularly others with similar diagnoses. I'm always glad to share my experiences with individuals struggling and share that there is hope in even the most difficult moments. I stay active on various social media support groups and do what I can to mentor parents of children with recent diagnoses and young adults who are seeking out support in hopes of sharing some of the lessons my journey has taught me. While I wish such support groups had been active in my childhood, I'm glad to know that youth now being diagnosed with these life-changing diseases may have more support and won't feel alone in their experiences. If sharing my story can help just one person have more hope for their future, I consider it worthwhile! Though there have been many so-called "bumps" in the road of my life, I'm proud to have made the most of it, that I have continued to traverse the rocky road less traveled, and that I have emerged a better person than I began.