I had an ‘aha’ moment the other day that brought me to tears..

My name is Helena, and I have been the lady behind Cemeha for the last 5 years. I suffered a brain injury in June, and in the depths of my being, I believe my small business is helping heal my brain. Sounds out there, right?

My TBI has been a journey of fear, isolation, and grief. My eyes lost their ability to move enough to read, I consistently see in circles and have spells of vertigo, and my language processing speed has a lag to it (which is rather inconvenient given I am in graduate school for school counseling!) All alongside crippling headaches, a neck injury, and the whole shabang of concussion symptoms. I am finally starting to see hope in my healing, and I can confidently thank my small business supporters for that. Here’s why:

This business has given me and outlet to fight depression that often arises with injury. It’s given me the opportunity to provide for myself after getting fired due to implications of the injury, and most importantly, it’s keeping me connected when regular conversation has been limited due to my injury. I can rest fully retreat at hope and escape in creativity, and have little nuggets of sweet connection with each of you.

Moreover, it is funding my occupational therapy to learn how to read and process conversations again. Are you ready for the tears? I know it’s taboo to talk about money, but this is too sweet not to share. My ‘aha’ moment the other day connected the fact that the price of one pair of earrings is exactly the same as my co-pay for my therapies. I go twice a week, and see other specialists bi-weekly. It has been a financial storm to say the least. BUT! Then I realized, that your support is tangibly helping me regain the skills that my injury took from me. Your support is helping me read and converse again without pain. I’m crying again.. sue me.

Please do not read this as a pity post, but as a deep and heart felt thank you. It has been a scary and lonely 5 months, but this little corner has been a thread of hope and light amidst it all. Every like, comment, re-share, story reply, and sale has given me the hope I need to keep moving forward. Your support feels like a warm hug, every time. I am so, so thankful.

P.s. I do know that creativity and community combat depression- just something to chew on.

okay, love you, byeee!