So inspired by this fantastically talented woman!
"My husband and I were both born in the beautiful, and well known, Hamptons on the Eastern end of Long Island, NY. A place filled with beautiful places and beautiful people. We ourselves have 3 beautiful children. My husband spent his time there building beautiful houses for all of the throngs of beautiful people inhabiting our hometown.
Well one day almost 7 years ago we received a phone call that every parent fears. My son, age 20 and away at college, dove into the ocean on a beautiful spring day and broke his neck. Everything my family was at this point in our lives changed in an instant....
My strong and athletic son was now a quadriplegic – and in that moment nothing would ever be the same…
After months of living in a hospital we brought our son to the beautiful resort town of the Hamptons, otherwise known as our home. The community there embraced us with more support then I can even describe here.
As time went on while learning how to adjust to this new life for my son and family, we realized that the beautiful Hamptons was not a place for anyone with my sons injury. Remember the Hamptons is a playground for the perfect beautiful people and he was now a young man learning to deal with life in a wheelchair. He was very limited on what he could become there with his abilities. So he fell into a slump that lasted several years until we took a huge risk and decided to move....
We packed everything up and came to Charleston SC on a risk and an adventure. We found a house that was totally accessible for our son. We took a gamble that this move would help my son to brush himself off and continue on with his life. We were ready do what ever it took to make my son realize that there was still a life for him.
Well... we have been here for a year and my son is a totally new person. Independent, outgoing, moving on... and no snow, just beautiful sunshine!!!! So far our plan is working. We are all very happy here. Except for one thing, our two daughters went to college in Boston and have remained there to live and work. We miss each other terribly but realize that this is the path we needed to take. Hopefully one day they will move here too and our family will be whole again.
So… about me
At the time of my son's accident I was a designer for a big company doing hand painted children’s accessories. I unfortunately had to give this job up to be the caregiver for my son. It is now also time for me to continue on with my life. I have since started my own company called LotAspots and it is starting to take off. My etsy site is called candice n katies art after my two daughters who deserve so much for what they had to give up after their brothers accident. If anything it has made us all stronger and more appreciative of life, now that we all know anything could change in a minute.
My dream is to continue to make happy colorful items for children since they are all precious gifts given to us to cherish everyday, as I cherish my own."
Check out her amazing designs at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/candicenkatiesart
