Featured Member: Ruth Easter

DINET member name:  LotsofLoveByRuth
Ruth's hometown:  St. Louis, Missouri
Diagnosis:  POTS, CFS
Website:  www.etsy.com/shop/indiangirl4him

In Ruth's words...

I  was officially diagnosed with POTS, as well as Chronic Fatigue Disorder in April 2015. Before my diagnosis, I was constantly on the go and having to depend on others for leaving the house has been frustrating.  My psychiatrist suggested I find a craft or hobby to make me feel like I’m contributing something to the world, so I started making natural products and selling them in February of 2017.

Before POTS, I didn’t take any medicine.  Then the doctors started overloading me with prescriptions and it was very rough on my body.  By using and selling Young Living essential oils and toxin-free products, my quality of life has been improving a bit.  I’ve always been interested in homeopathic remedies and this makes me feel like there’s a tiny part of my life that I have control over. I sell soaps and lip balms, plus I make jewelry now too and whatever else comes to mind.  It gives me so much pride and a sense of independence.  And the little bit of cash it brings in is a big help too.  

I love to sing, read and talk to people.  I live with my fiance but he works two jobs to cover our living expenses because I’m not working and still struggling to get disability benefits approved.  I used to have a caregiver during the hours that my fiancee was at work.  But since Medicaid reduced the caregiver hours, I am on my own now when he’s at work. I’m a very social person so being at home by myself so much is difficult for me.  I battle depression so I try to keep myself occupied when I’m alone.  My work with homeopathic remedies helps with this quite a bit.  And I am so grateful to friends, family, and church for being so supportive.  My faith gets me through and I try to focus on the positive.  I am especially grateful to my fiancee who sacrifices so much to help me care for myself.