I have worn many hats during my lifetime. And the sum of those hats has led me here today, creating beauty from chaos using replicas of God's handiwork.
I worked for more than 30 years as a Dr. of Physical Therapy. I spent many hours encouraging people of all ages to be their best. To push a little harder. To try one more rep. I worked with the tiniest baby in the neonatal intensive care unit to people in hospice during their final days of life. Always trying to help them improve the quality of the life they were living.
On an ordinary day in September 2020, while performing an ordinary task in my home (taking dishes to the dishwasher) my life took a drastic and unexpected turn. I tripped with a coffee cup in my left hand, landing on it where it shattered and severed all of the tendons and the median nerve. Because the cup was round, most of the tendons as well as the median nerve, were cut twice. The only finger not affected was my pinkie.
After extensive surgical repair, and 10 months of occupational therapy, my progress plateaued. I was no longer making functional gains, so I self discharged from OT and began to design my own rehab program at home using my own background knowledge in rehabilitation. I had lost 2/3 of the strength, sensation and function of my left hand. I also had quite a bit of pain. That was the beginning of Craft Therapy at Puddleby Farm. I was determined to use my time on "the other side of the treatment table" to help people like me learn to continue to live life in spite of the circumstances. Every time I found a hack or work-around, I would post it on FB and IG. My rehabilitation plan was working. While quite difficult at times, every craft project helped relieve my hand pain and improve my hand function. It is still very numb and my fingers do not work independently of each other, but I can move them and I can create, and I can use that to bring joy to myself and others.
Fast forward to 2024. My hand pain and function are gradually worsening. But I decided I wanted to try to revamp my Spring/Easter decorations anyway. I found an old wreath I made 30 some odd years ago and it inspired me to make myself a new wreath using my favorite flower, which is also my state flower, the bluebonnet. My sister-in-love is also a bluebonnet lover, so I was going to make us each a wreath. I posted that wreath on FB and IG as my current hand therapy....And instantly people wanted to buy them. No one was more astounded than I was.
But the reality is, I had been praying for a way to make this injury meaningful. For a way to make my PT skills continue to help myself and others. Sometimes God answers prayers in a big and very unexpected way.
On March 5, 2024, 3.5 years after my accident, Puddleby Farm Designs was born. I have so much fun creating and sharing and it really does make my hand feel better. It is great hand therapy.
But don't ever believe God answers prayers on YOUR timing. I've been praying for 2 years about what sort of crafting business venture to pursue. At the same time I've been researching hand trauma specialists to see if there is anything I can do to lessen the hand pain which is very intense at times. The "I have to go to bed" kind of intense. And He found me one a couple of hours from my home. So, I will be undergoing major surgery in May to try to help the pain. But I might get more feeling and function in the process. So trusting God and His timing, 2.5 months after PFD opened, I'm having major hand surgery. Oh man. Sometimes you just have to laugh at the timing and go with the flow. Prayers appreciated and I will keep you posted!
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you find something that brings you joy in my shop. And if you have any questions about hand pain or some of my work-around tips, feel free to message me. I would love to brainstorm with you how to make you life a little easier.
