#dysautonomia the gift that keeps on giving

[tj-crochets]

Hey does anyone else with one or more forms of dysautonomia* have a thing where if they have a moderate-to-severe physical stressor (like a severe allergic reaction, getting a vaccine, stuff like that), they get a new bonus dysautonomia for a few days to a few weeks? I thought it was a side effect of allergic reactions for me**, but this vaccine I had pretty much zero allergy symptoms but am having new issues, so I think it might be more general. A few times, I've had increased issues with low blood sugar for usually only a few days, but sometimes as much as a month or two after a severe allergic reaction. Once, I had waaaaay over-sensitive adrenaline reactions for a while (bad enough that I watched an episode of gamechanger and had to stop because I got too tense and my heartrate shot up). A few times, including this time, my thermoregulation seems to be very off. Like, it's not great in general, but now I am sweating so easily which is not normal for me (and not good with my salt issues) *my diagnoses that fall under that umbrella, more or less, include but are not limited to: salt wasting syndrome, POTS, possibly MCAS, tachycardia (separate from the POTS), and "something is weird about your endocrine system, maybe Addison's?" **I did bring this up with my allergist! He said "Allergies don't do that". I said "If it's not allergy related, then why does benadryl help?". He stared at me for a while, then said "I don't know. Allergies shouldn't do that"

[strangenewfriends]

Distinctive Assets founder Lash Fary, a swag veteran who has curated the Grammy Awards gift bag for 22 years, said the Recording Academy wanted this year's offerings (gifted to performers and presenters) to reflect the current times. Performers like BTS, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, John Mayer, Post Malone, Roddy Rich, Lil Baby, among others, will receive gift bags filled with products and goodies. What they will get is the Grammy's most inclusive and diverse gift bags to-date, "representing companies owned and operated by individuals across race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, persons with disabilities and beyond." It's a gesture Fary said his team has been naturally shifting toward over the past five or so years as companies and brands have centered social responsibility.

While many of the goods and products inside come from BIPOC-led brands, others come from corporations that have made philanthropic commitments to relevant causes. For example, inside the bag recipients will find new Ruffles Flamin' Hot BBQ potato chips. Ruffles owner Pepsico recently committed $400 million as part of a five-year plan to advance and support Black communities.

Fary declined to specify the value of the gift bags and would only say that the "real value is that we're elevating and shining a light on these diverse brands." He would say that the value is commensurate with previous years and that close to 100 will be doled out to VIPs. (WWD reported that the price tag is more than $5,000.) And speaking of delivery, to honor COVID-19 protocols and keep contact at a minimum, the bags will be delivered or mailed to show participants rather than exchanged in a suite, as is typical.

Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah is also represented in the bags via a Bonfire and Trevor Noah Foundation collaboration that features a t-shirt and tote bag set. Featuring designs by South African artists and currently for sale by the Trevor Noah Foundation on Bonfire.com, 100 percent of proceeds help the Trevor Noah Foundation in its mission of bringing education to children in South Africa.

With dozens of products included, it's a challenge to list them all but highlights include: luxury tea essentials from Cup of Té, a tea company founded by Taylor Lindsay-Noel, a disabled Black entrepreneur who was a world-class gymnast in her teens before a life-altering accident; handmade bath and body products from luxury brand Hotsy Totsy Haus, a company founded by a deaf single mother Christi Leonardi; pumpkin and peanut butter handmade dog cookies from Wags Cookies made by Emily Ainsworth, who battles dysautonomia and chronic pain; HGC Apparel's "Respect Protect Love the Black Woman" scarf which serves as a celebration of Black culture from founder Marcia Smith; PETA partnered with Save the Duck for a high-tech, down-free vegan coat; Once Upon a Blume's Change Maker Village, an anti-racist children's book sales of which support the NAACP; and Unis Brand's 3D-printed sneakers that feature entirely recycled materials like water bottles and refurbished linens.

"Giving gifts is always a lovely thing, even in the worst of times," Fary explains. "With the coronavirus pandemic, systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter movement, there's so much going on in the world, it would be irresponsible of us to put together a gift bag for a global music event like the Grammys and not acknowledge what's happening in the world. … From the outside looking in, it looks like an amazingly fun gift bag, and then when you look closer, it's so heartwarming."

[herbaceousriot]

Important Shop Update

Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m so sorry you missed me, but I won’t be closed for long. Keep up with things here on my blog and sign up for emails. 

If you’d like the short story check out the shop updates post on my shop. Scroll to the bottom to see updates and shop info. This is also where you can sign up for emails.

Shop Starts Shipping Again Jan 6, 2020

In this post I’m going to go a little more in depth about my extended shop turnaround times and the reason I’m closed for the remainder of 2019. Specifically, I’m going to use this post to answer all the questions that keep hitting my messenger services. Everyone is so kind and concerned, it’s truly heartwarming. I didn’t want to ignore anyone, however time is very limited so I’m using this space to answer as much as I can. 

I am an individual that suffers from a form of Dysautonomia. It’s an incurable condition that I have learned to live with. Your support in my shop helps with medical bills and supporting the needs of my family. Thank you. 

My turnaround times were expended simply because I try my best to be completely transparent with what customers should expect. My turnaround time is typically still within 5 business days. Sometimes, when my blood pressure is really low and my body is not exactly wanting to function the way it should, I find myself unconscious Followed by the inability to see, stand, or speak. In these times there might be a case where my turnaround time extends to 1 to 2 weeks which is what it is at now. I never want anybody to be upset or disappointed for not receiving their packages when they expected them. So I figure it’s better to be a happy surprise that it came sooner than have these instances where someone is disappointed because it took too long. 

Unfortunately I have to go through surgery Dec 25th. My Etsy shop will remain closed during my surgeries. My shop will remain open because I do not want to close it. I do not want to give the illusion that I’m not coming back or it won’t be there. However I will be having surgery. I will not even be able to get out of bed for two weeks. Then more physical therapy. So for 4 weeks I will not be shipping any orders or work. You are still free to place orders and as soon as that time is up and I have had time to both heal and recuperate my strength I will begin shipping out orders as fast as humanly possible. If you would like to donate in the form of a purchase. If you would like to donate to my medical fund please use this link.  

So that’s what’s going on. 💜 I should be absolutely ok. Thank you all so much for your well wishes. So much love. ❤️

I want to also thank you so very much for your support and your understanding. This holiday season was absolutely insane and I loved every bit of it. Seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support funds so much more than likes and follows on social media it does so much more than give me reviews and accreditation in Etsy’s Marketplace. It helps me heal, and it helps my family build memories. Your support improves the life of another human, several of them in fact, and I believe that to be extremely magical. Thank you so very much! 

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