GREETINGS!!
Thank you for wanting to get to know a little about me. I am Lisa Hazell, a 28-year-old disabled, military wife, who has been creating since I was a child. Over the past few years I've had to overcome many obstacles just to start crafting again.

MEDICAL HURDLES
Since the age of 8 I've suffered from severe migraine-like headaches and other strange, unexplainable symptoms. My husband and I were stationed New Orleans when Katrina hit.

During the following year, my symptoms progressed to a disabling level. Unfortunately the New Orleans doctors could not explain the worst of the symptoms, but were able to diagnose part of my problem; I had Dysautonomia, an autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Thankfully soon thereafter the US Navy transferred us to Maryland where I'd be able to be seen by specialists at Johns Hopkins University Medical Centers. This is where I was finally diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (E.D.S.).

Prior to treatment I was confined to a wheelchair, mostly bedridden, and used very few words to communicate. I endured over 100 emergency room visits within 19 months time due to extreme bouts of pain in my head and joints.
In April 2008 a pain medication delivery pump was implanted in my side and it delivers my medication directly into spine.

Soon after I began taking small steps back to a better quality of life. As of November 2008 I began to walk on my own and to even happily do some chores around the house. Everyone was thrilled to see me walking including several of my doctors who had never seen me out of my wheelchair!

MY CRAFTS
Craftiness is in my blood; my grandmother loved crafts of all kinds and so do I. I learned from watching her at a very early age. That love of all things hand made continued to be fostered by my stepmother, also an amazing artisan.

Since being disabled making my jewelry and accessories has helped pass many painful hours by refocusing my energy onto something enjoyable. Learning the latest techniques and creating new designs not only further enhances my enthusiasm, but adds to my shear delight in crafting.

*hugs*
~Lisa H.