Myasthenia Gravis + Jewelry Giveaway

I want to introduce you to Kerri from Kerri’s Kreations. I was trying to remember how I “met” her online & I’m pretty sure it was via her SITS Feature Day. I was instantly drawn to Kerri’s blog because she has something very much in common with my mother-in-law, they have the same illness, called Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Kerri is super woman, she has MG, she home schools her 6 year old son, she’s a great wife, she blogs & runs a jewelry business!

I’ve done 2 blog designs for Kerri (she was one of the first people who trusted me to design her blog way back in the day!) & I have bought several pieces of jewelry from her. One of my favorites is my heart necklace. I’ve worn it almost every.single.day since I bought  it from her a few weeks ago. I’m in love.

Ask Todd how many pictures I made him take before I was {moderately} happy…

1. What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease in the Muscular Dystrophy family. It can vary so much from one case to another that it’s also called the “snowflake” disease. A lot of my MG Awareness Jewelry has snowflakes on them. MG is a chronic illness that never goes away. It can be very isolating, which is probably the worst part about it. Physically, I can feel pretty good one day, make plans to meet a friend for lunch the next day, and when the time comes, not be able to see straight, or walk without my walker. Friends get tired of me cancelling plans.

For a list of MG symptoms, please check out This List Here.

2. You said you donate your proceeds, where do those proceeds go?

I donate 10% of all of my proceeds to Purely MG Awareness, a foundation started from the horrific loss of a 6 year old little girl named Safa, who had MG. Safa’s mom Jessica started Purely MG Awareness, a non-profit organization that is for the purpose of raising awareness and educating people about MG, so that what happened to her precious child will not keep happening to other parents, and helping to find a cure.

3. What inspired you to start designing jewelry?

I have always loved jewelry. I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced and I thought my parents were the cruelest people on the planet. I am on full, permanent disability. I have tried to go back to work outside the home, but I just can’t hack it. I also am very passionate about educating people about my disease. It took me 8 years to get a diagnosis, and if doctors had been more educated about MG, I may not ever have gotten as sick as I did. Finally I thought, “Hey, how about making MG Awareness bracelets?” That way I could try to get the word out, make a little additional income for my family, AND donate to help “the cause.”

4. Tell us a little about yourself.

Well, my greatest accomplishment in life is my 6 1/2 year old son, Jacob. I never in a million years thought I would be able to carry a child after everything I have been through, and continue to go through. It was tough, but worth it. I am 42, wife to an amazing man named Doug, who is equal parts Daniel Boone and MacGyver. We live on a farm (I still half laugh when I write that) in the boonies of Michigan and have 2 cows, 2 chickens (the rest got picked off by the resident chicken hawk), we had 3 ducks (see fate of chickens), 3 dogs, 3 bunnies, and 5 fish.

5. Is there anything I didn’t ask that you like to tell everyone.

I really want people to watch my Youtube Video: People with chronic illness are just that: people. People like everyone else with the same goals, dreams and desires. I’m still the same person in my mind and heart that I was before MG.

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Deets on the Giveaway: It starts today, 2/4/2013 & ends at midnight straight up on February 10, 2013. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. It is open to US & Canadian residents (shipments to Canada will not have a tracking number.) Thank you so much & I hope you enjoy!

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Kate P.

I'm a wife, mother, friend, & every now & again I'm allowed to just be me. I'm always trying to be the best version of myself & always trying to live life more beautifully.

Latest posts by Kate P. (see all)

• I’m all over the place - 03/22/2013
• A New Meme: Old School Blogging - 03/11/2013
• My Grandfather, My Hero - 02/21/2013
• No Baby Books Here - 02/19/2013
• Stop Gendercide: It’s a Girl - 02/15/2013

Past Posts You Are Guaranteed to Love:

• Stella & Dot Giveaway *Winner*
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