Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Late Onset Tay-Sachs disease. Tay-Sachs is a rare disease, but it normally affects only infants and children. In infantile and juvenile, it's 100% fatal. Infants usually by age three, and juveniles by maybe nine or ten. Thankfully, late onset isn't generally fatal, but it is degenerative and progressive. I am one of only about 100 confirmed cases in the entire United States. (Gee don't I fee special? )

It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I'm probably headed for a wheelchair at some point in the future. Nobody knows when, but it's probably coming.

After the initial shock wore off, I went into a deep depression. But a couple years ago, I decided to start woodworking again. I've created a number of pieces that came out really nice. I just wish I could find a market for them because I'm running out of room to store them.

I've repurposed old dangerous baby cribs into benches, as well as an old headboard into a bench. I've designed and built storage chests and benches too.

The thing I like about woodworking is that although it may sound strange, when I'm working on a project, I don't feel like I have Tay-Sahs.

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Here's a few more of my creations.

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Very nice work.

My daughter and I have bought some old pieces that we're going to upcycle. Some of them were free as long as we were able to pick them up. Our plans are on hold for the moment but it'll be great when we can get into it all again.

John,

Beautiful work and such a fighting spirit!

Bud

John,

These pieces are wonderful! You do beautiful work, and I love that you are able to repurpose things, give them a new life… sort of like some of us have to do for ourselves, after being stricken with these "lovely" (not!) maladies, which tend to take us down a different path in life than maybe we had planned.

I hope you do find an outlet for them, if for no other reason than so that you can keep on making them. I can totally see how the process would be very therapeutic for you. Gets you out of your head, right? (A dangerous neighborhood, for some! ) Thanks so much for sharing the finished product with us.

Happy New Year!

Alison

Oh John .......Gorgeous....simply gorgeous.

Are there any consignment shops or flea markets nearby?

I pray your able to find someplace to showcase and sell them.

Keep fighting the fight.