"Highly Reanimated & Custom Creations"

If you’ve read through the rest of the “About Me” you’ve more than likely been told the “Who and the how” but the question begs the answer…”Why?”. The simple question of “Why” with answers that could range anywhere from simple and mundane to an answer larger than the cosmos,  but a valid and earnest question worthy of merit.

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I too, was once asked “What is your ‘why’?” by an Old Colleague of mine from my tenure at Columbia College Chicago, I had no idea that I’d earn not only a bachelor's degree  but a life-long friend in the process, but low and behold here we are! We had stayed in contact over the years and later on She would later become a life coach and mentor when I decided to become an independent designer and craftsman and to get more serious about building a brand and commissioning work.

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If there was one word that would best describe the woman that is none other than “Karissa Barbados” it would have to be Passionate…-Her work alone stands testament to this if not her environmental awareness. While I was working with her one of the first things she asked me was “what is your why” what are you truly passionate about and what inspires you or motivates you. A simple and entirely opened-ended question with an endless and numerous amount of answers; and she was making an entire project out of it.

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It seemed to me that deep down I knew what it was that I was passionate about…Creating a high quality product that creates a positive experience to the user, but I just didn’t realize it yet.  Even with the support of my loved ones, their guidance and input, I still wanted to invest a little more into my future and wanted that extra coaching because I also knew that she has a knack for business development and business savvy. 

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In my life and experiences l've witnessed the struggles of many people who are deemed disabled; because they are Autistic, faced with mobility issues, carry the tragic effects of a traumatic experience, or suffer from poor mental health beyond their control. So when this happens the person may require a piece of furniture tailored to their needs and therein lies a problem…Special Needs Furniture often looks to be intimidating or sterile, like something in a hospital, and in a home setting can be jarring. Hence why I produce products that not only serve purpose, but are aesthetically pleasing and more inviting. Not to mention creating or recreating a positive and safe environment for the end user. 
 

Outside of the inspiration and support spurred by my loved ones in my life, some of which are affected by DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder - Formerly known as Multiple Personality). I was also surprised to find that adults who are looking to satisfy their personal needs often shop at medical retailers and even more surprisingly some special needs parents or caregivers might resort to shopping at places that cater towards “adults”. With this in mind I saw an opportunity to serve two underserved communities and to make a really positive impact in their lives through my work by facilitating my design and custom fabrication services and “all-inclusive” mentality. 

 

In simplest terms some people need a piece of furniture to accommodate their loved one’s special needs, sometimes a piece of furniture can recreate a lost memory or a positive experience, or sometimes something old can be made into new again. 

 

And that…Is my “Why”…  

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To Learn more about DID visit: 

https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/dissociative-identity-disorder

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To learn more about Autism visit:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders

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For more information on Mental Health in general or to learn more about other mental health conditions visit:

https://www.drugwatch.com/mental-health/