12 Comments

What a lovely, joyful, creative way to connect.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Dawn!

Expand full comment

What amazing resources and ideas! Hiw impressive the CFS/ME project. I love the artwork and am inspired to do “something,” even if for now it’s just to re-read your post and make some planning notes. It’s awakened my hankering for some sort of new pens, too. And, that has reminded me of the “Thinking With Ink” classes I did while living in Malaysia. They were led by a psychiatric nurse (I think that was her specialty) from Australia. I loved it. Why did I stop? Perhaps I will revisit for the #100DayProject…or at least get the pens and find my box of work and notes. Thanks!

Expand full comment

That sounds great! I love that you're inspired and can't wait to see what you do.

Expand full comment

What an inspiring post - thanks for sharing the creative CFS/ME project and other resources

Expand full comment

Rita, I feel vicariously energised by your zest for these fun activities and making connections.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Emma! I do a lot of vicarious travel myself. :-)

Expand full comment

I love this post as someone who enjoys collage and letter writing! I haven’t done either in a while but this reminds me of when I used to volunteer for First Friends NJ/NY to be a pen pal for an immigrant detainee. Chronic Cards sounds very much needed but the link took me to the Market. I’m also not sure if it’s open to non-US volunteers but I will definitely book mark this and share it to others and will contribute if I move back to US. I will also bookmark the Marker if they ship internationally. Thanks for your shares and your collage is pretty!

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, Reema! I love that you are a penpal to immigrant detain. I can imagine how much that meant to them and I'll bet you met some interesting people. Thanks for letting me know about that link. I keep thinking of them as two separate entities, chronic cards and the market, but I think they are on the same site. I'll ask if the cards and market are open to people from other countries and let you know. What a lovely thought.

Expand full comment

Most definitely! I got to meet the detainee after they got released and we stayed connected and I also got to meet some of the program staff who are wonderful people and clearly put their heart isn’t their work and advocacy. Will look forward to hearing more about Chronic Cards if you find out more

Expand full comment

That sounds like a wonderful, important experience you had that made a difference in the lives of all involved. I messaged April and she said people don't have to be in the US to sign up to send chronic cards and many of the vendors in chronic market aren't in the US. Other than ship outside the US as well, so just check the shipping policies for whatever vendor's good interest you! Thanks for asking that question.

Expand full comment

That link is fixed now. Thanks so much for letting me know about that!

Expand full comment