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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

When we ask, "What is my purpose?" the most direct way to answer it is by asking, "What do I wish to create?" Jacob Nordby, Blessed are the Weird What would you create if you could? #art #CraftSky #chronicpain #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #ME/CFS #mecfs @jacobnordby.bsky.social

The background is a pastel representation of pine bark In autumn tones. A brown square with beige writing is the following quote:

When we ask,
"What is my purpose?" the most direct way to answer it is by asking,
"What do I wish to create?"
Jacob Nordby
Blessed are the Weird

The background is a pastel representation of pine bark In autumn tones. A brown square with beige writing that says:

What would you create if you could?
Now distill this vision down to its essence.
How could you express that, even in your current situation?

@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The View From The River Bed popped into my mind while resting with my eyes shut for my usual number of 3-5 hours one afternoon. It is drawn with bronze & white gel pens, but the photo makes the bronze look orange. #drawing #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #ME/CFS #mecfs #art ✍🏻 🐟 🐠 🛌

A drawing in metallic bronze gel pen (though the photo makes the bronze look orange) on black paper of a dull looking fish lying on a bed amongst rocks at the bottom of the page, with with the words: the view from the river bed. Swimming up towards the surface of the river, and swimming along with the flow of collaged blue water (torn from a magazine), and even leaping out of the water, are all kinds of patterned fish drawn in white gel pen.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I was so thrilled to read Kate McDonald’s review that I couldn’t resist sharing excerpts from it. 😀 If you’ve enjoyed the book (or even just parts of it!), please do leave a review on the platform of your choice and let me know. Thank you! #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #ME/CFS 🧶 🪡 🎨 ✍🏻 ✂️ 🧁 🎵 📚

The book Crafting a Path Through Illness - Exploring Creativity While
Chronically Ill by Germaine Hypher has origami butterflies made from maps on the cover. The book is on a hand crocheted blanket with a ball of yarn beside it.

Above the book is the following quote from a review: "A terrific resource ... ought to be sitting in every hospital waiting room"

Below the book it says: Extracts from
Kate Macdonald's review of Crafting a Path Through Illness.

Black text on a cream background says:

It's very good
I defy any reader to read this and not come away with a determination to be more creative, no matter what your condition in life. It's a terrific resource, and ought to be sitting in every hospital waiting room.
Imagination drives Hypher's approach. 'The art of feeling larger than your illness, 'Stopping up the energy leaks, Listening to the voice of illness' and Moving with the rhythms of restriction' are only four of the sections that are bursting with inspiration.
I particularly liked Hypher's awareness of her own processes. She writes about her experience only as her own, and never places assumptions on what her readers might be able to do, or not do.

Cream text on a black border at the bottom of the page says:

Extracts from Kate Macdonald's review of Crafting a Path Through Illness

Black text on a cream background says:

Wow, I was surprised
I was expecting a slim volume but it's a big book. The short paragraphs and the gentle conversational style drew me in easily. I'm not chronically ill but I kept seeing myself in the situations described: prompted by Germaine Hypher's suggestions, I realise there's a big market of small, useful disability-oriented aids that I could use myself. This was completely unexpected.
Quotes from the illuminating experiences of others illustrate aspects of living with a chronic condition while also being creative and making art.
The Appendices at the end are strong on resources. I was deeply impressed.

Cream text on a black border at the bottom of the page says:
Read the full review of Crafting a Path Through Illness at katemacdonald.net

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Chronic Artist Spotlight: Sarah Johnson is a self taught painter, disabled by chronic illness. She leads free online paint along sessions via zoom. I’ve included the link to Sarah’s profile on my Facebook post of her art. #painting #watercolour #art #chronicillness #mecfs #chronicfatigue 🖼️ 🎨

A fun watercolour painting by Sarah Jonson. A green cartoon frog with purple spots is smiling broadly while hanging from the stern of a flower. Hans town next to this is the phrase’ sometimes all you can do is just hang on’.

A framed watercolour painting by Sarah Johnson of a branch of delicately painted autumn leaves in fiery colours. Two grey birds are spring on offshoots of this branch.

A delicate watercolour painting by Sarah Johnson features a curled up fox, mushrooms and a curved branch detail with autumn leaves ranging from green to orange.

A colourful watercolour painting by Sarah Johnson of a highland cow with a stylised multicolour shaggy coat ranging from yellow and red to green to blue and purple.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

All the Flowers That Still Bloom made it to #1 in Amazon’s Hot New Disability Releases list this week. Includes letters, short stories, poetry and narrative non-fiction from a selection of disabled and chronically ill writers, including me! #chronicillness #disability #mecfs #invisibleillness 💙📚

The book cover of the anthology All the Flowers That Still Bloom also has the following information: A collection of lives lived with, not in spite of, disability. Foreword by Fazilet Hadi MBE.

The text is written on a cream background with torn edges, while the border of the front cover is of spring blossom against a blue sky.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Stories in your mind, dreams for the future and crafty plans all count as creativity, as does baking, gardening and home decor. What is your creative glue when life feels heavy and fragmented? 🧶 🎨 ✍🏻 💃 🪡 🧁 🌱 🎵 🖼️ 📚 ✂️ #invisibleillness #chronicillness #chronicpain #ChronicFatigue #mecfs #ME/CFS

A photo of a blue sky with very wispy white clouds and a thin rainbow has the following text in white writing over it:

"When things feel heavy and fragmented, I create. Creativity helps us feel alive, connects us to other people, connects us to different parts of who we are and is that glue that keeps us together."
Dr Jeffrey Bone, To The Bone podcast
@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

“I love that Crafting a Path Through Illness looks at creativity in such a broad way… Practical ideas and real-life experiences… Something you can dip in and out of depending on your energy.” #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #mecfs #ME/CFS #bookreview #CraftSky 📚 🧶 🪡 🖼️ 🎨 ✍🏻 🎵 💃 🪴 🧁 📷

A deep pink background behind cream text and the front cover of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill - by Germaine Hypher. This book cover features origami butterflies on it made from old maps.

The text reads as follows:

BOOK REVIEW by C. Helen -
author of The Other Side of the Butterfly

“I love that Crafting a Path Through Illness looks at creativity in such a broad way and doesn't make it feel as though you have to be endlessly productive to be creative.

As someone who creates around chronic illness, I've found the practical ideas and real-life experiences especially relatable and I like that it's something you can dip in and out of depending on your energy.”

@craftingapaththroughillness
@c.helen author

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Meet George. Named by his new owner, who I knitted him for. He’s a teeny tiny twiddle teddy to bring comfort and distraction when AuDHD and chronic illness symptoms are troubling. I hear that he has taken very well to his new role. 😀 #ME/CFS #mecfs #chronicpain #chronicillness #AuDHD #craftSky 🧶🧸

A photo of a small hand knitted teddy with knitted blue jeans and a matching scarf. His arms are looped together in a hug. The photo shows the hand of a white woman holding him, with her thumb inside his hug.

A photo of a small hand knitted teddy His arms are looped together in a hug. The photo shows the hand of a white woman with the teddy’s hug looped around two of her fingers.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Creative thinking, problem solving, dreaming… Crafting a healthy & tasty menu, imagining a virtual outing, planning a plant display, arranging flowers in a vase… These are all aspects of creativity. #CraftSky #chronicillness #invisibleillness #mecfs #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue

A background of swirly pastel yellow, peach, pink, lilac and grey has black text over it that says:

Your creativity is a powerful and diverse resource, whether or not you practice arts or crafts.

@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I have finally strung together these sea glass ‘mermaid tears’ that I collected from a local beach over a decade ago. See the final image for the legend of how mermaid tears are formed. #mecfs #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #CraftSky #garden #seaglass #mermaids

A photo of green and white irregular pieces of sea glass, strung together and hanging in front of an ivy covered garden fence.

A photo of green and white irregular pieces of sea glass, strung together and hanging from the branch of a garden tree.

Black text on a white background reads:

Legend says that they're the solidified tears of mermaids who have fallen in love with a sailor but been forbidden by Poseidon from returning to the surface of the sea.
As my husband was once a keen sailor, I feel sure these ones must be evidence of oceanic hearts he broke when he chose to stay on solid land with me. 🧜🏻‍♀️🌊

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Let’s help each other… Reviews are SO appreciated - even one brief sentence. I can share your review across social media along with your tags and a bit about you. 💙💜🩵💛 Thank you! 😗 #chronicillness #mecfs #CraftSky #ME/CFS #Chronicpain #longcovid #autoimmune #chronicfatigue #bookreviews 📚

A photo of Germaine, a white woman with bright red hair and red glasses smiling and holding her book Crafting A Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill is in the corner with the following text around it:

Let's help each other...

I can feel myself disappearing into a migraine but if you've enjoyed anything about Crafting A Path Through Illness then a review on Amazon (or the platform of your choice) for me to wake up to would absolutely make my day!

Seriously though, reviews are SO appreciated - even one brief sentence.

Do point me in the direction of any reviews you leave so l definitely see them. If you have your own fb page and/or instagram account that you'd like promoted I can then share your review across social media along with your tags and a bit about you.

💙💜🩵💛 Thank you! 😗

Black text on a turquoise background reads as follows:

Five Rules of Book Reviewing
www.aletheakontis.com
1.) You do not have to have purchased a book on Amazon to leave a review there.
2.) You do not have to read the whole book to leave a review.
3.) Reviews can be as simple as, "Loved this one so much! Can't wait for the next! THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE SPELLED CORRECTLY.
4.) Authors need reviews on Amazon to get better placement in the algorithms. (And a crazy amount of other things you wouldn't believe.)
5. Algorithms are not reading and grading your reviews. They just look at numbers.
Please take 5 minutes and leave a review on Amazon today for an author you love.
It really does make a difference.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My contribution to the Forget M.E. Not collective quilt project. I had to keep the embroidery to a minimum as I’m not currently able to sew much so I incorporated appliqué into my design. #embroidery #handsewing #appliqué #CraftSky #invisibleillness #mecfs #ME/CFS #chronicillness #chronicfatigue

On blue fabric, a STOP road sign is depicted using red appliquéd fabric in an octagon shape with white backstitching for the border and lettering. Next to this are two embroidered pale blue forget-me-not flowers.

Black text reads:

The stop sign represents all the times throughout my life, since childhood, M.E has stopped me from doing things - the dreams it has a put a stop to, the daily activities it has stopped me from doing, and the hours of every day that I have to stop and lie flat with eyes shut. It also asks healthy people looking at this design to stop for a moment to appreciate their abilities and to understand a little more about this often
misunderstood condition.

Black text reads:

The forget-me-nots growing around the sign ask the world not to forget that so many of us are here, doing our best to live with a severe illness that needs better research and understanding. They also represent my personality, calling out from underneath the symptoms to not be forgotten when this illness often hides who I feel myself to be.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I’m not able to think or write much this Severe ME Awareness Day so here’s an old poem of mine that can do the talking for me. Sending so much love to all those tethered by severe ME. 💙 #ME/CFS #mecfs #Chronicillness #chronicpain #poetry #creativewriting #expressivewriting @meactnet.bsky.social

The background is a photo of crumpled, slept in, white bedding. Over this is a typed poem by Germaine Hypher @craftingapaththroughillness

The poem is called Oh, Songbird.

Stolen on the wing
Shhh, don't sing little bird
Don't sing,
No morning melody nor
Hushabye lullaby,
Lie still, little bird, Lie still while I tie Your hollow legs And feathered reach
To this bed,
With this string
I thee wed,
Unscrew the hinges of your beak,
Don't cry little bird
Don't fly

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Crafting a Path Through Illness - Exploring Creativity While Chronically Ill - by Germaine Hypher Available worldwide from all the usual places. #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #disability #selfhelpbook #mentalhealth #CraftSky #mecfs #fibromyalgia #autoimmune 📖 📚 ✏️ 🖊️ 🎨 🧶 🪡 🎭 🎵 🧁 🌱 🖼️

The cover of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness - Exploring Creativity While Chronically Ill - by Germaine Hypher is surrounded by doodles and the following pieces of information about the book:
Creativity for all!
Not just handicrafts!
Prompts for developing a creative mind.
Perfect for dipping in and out of.
Practical tips and real life experiences.
How to thrive, not just survive.
Support, understanding, guidance.
Amazon Rating: 5/5

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Forget M.E. Not A COLLECTIVE QUILT Call for Embroiderers with M.E. Share your story through embroidery, appliqué, or other fiber arts as part of the Forget M.E. Not Collective Quilt to strengthen community ties and raise awareness about M.E./C.F.S. #mecfs #ME/CFS #chronicillness #invisibleillness

A photo of blue fabric in an embroidery hoop with white, yellow, green and pale blue entries threads and a pair of embroidery scissors has white writing in black rectangles that says: About to start my contribution to the Forget M.E. Not Collective Quilt...
For more info and to take part: @astitchinti_m.e (Instagram account)

Black and pale blue text on a white background, with a picture of two forget me not flowers says:

Combining contributions from people around the world.
Forget M.E. Not
A COLLECTIVE QUILT
Call for Embroiderers with M.E.
Share your story through embroidery, appliqué, or other fiber arts as part of the Forget M.E. Not Collective Quilt to strengthen community ties and raise awareness about M.E./C.F.S.
www.forgetmenotquilt.ca

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller And yet, some of us have no choice but to creep. We mourn, we dream and we create what we can. Our impulse to soar adapts. #invisibleillness #ME/CFS #mecfs #spoonie #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue

Text on a pale blue background says:

This. This feeling is why living with severely energy limiting illness is so flipping hard! (An arrow points to a quote here:)
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller

And yet, some of us have no choice but to creep. Some of us soar briefly and crash.
Some may glide open terrain again one day.

Whichever, we are all reaching heights of endurance and adjustment to be proud of.
We are finding new views - imagined, philosophical and practical - to rest with.

We mourn, we dream and we create what we can. Our impulse to soar adapts.

@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

String & Ink Printing - a quick and easy tutorial, perfect for creativity while pacing limited energy. (Lay down a protective sheet if doing this in bed, in case of rogue ink splatters.) #CraftSky #printing #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #chronicpain #pacing #art #mecfs #ME/CFS #fibromyalgia

Two, different toned, sepia prints, both of which look botanical. Writing says: String & Ink Printing a quick and easy tutorial...

A sepia toned print that look botanical.

Writing says:

1. Dip a length of string in ink.
2. Lay it vertically on a page of a sketchbook, with enough hanging over the top to hold.
3. Close the sketchbook and swiftly pull the string out of the top.
4. Open the book to reveal the image...

A deeper brown sepia print that looks botanical.

Writing says: Experiment with different saturations of ink, how firmly you hold the book closed...

An open sketchbook showing two mirror image sepia toned prints that look botanical.

Writing carries on from previous image and says: ...and varying speeds of pulling the string to achieve different results.

@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Memories of dressing my granddaughter up. Memories are everywhere - in knitted stitches, a repurposed nightie, a discarded cushion cover made into wings, in photos, in my heart. A memory of a moment years ago helps sustain me today. 🧶 🪡 ♻️ 🧚🏻 🐛 #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #CraftSky #knitting

Photo of a newborn baby wearing a hand knitted very hungry caterpillar outfit.

Photo of a three year old girl in a garden dressed up as a fairy. There is a beehive her.

Photo of a three year old girl in a garden with a beehive behind her. She is dressed up as a fairy.

Photo of a three year old girl in a garden dressed up as a fairy. The full length of the white nightie used as a fairy dress and the way she is moving makes it appear as if she is taking off in flight.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

“Modern Magic” - made from a medicine blister pack & information leaflet, along with representations of uplift & joy because, in this instance, the prescription had relieved some strong symptoms. #art #mixedmedia #collage #chronicillness #chronicpain #mentalhealth #mecfs #CraftSky #ME/CFS #medicine

Art Technique: Created by Assembling, Collaging and Stitching the Detritus of Medication Packaging Along With Representations of Comfort and Joy
ALT Text: Leaflet: What you need to know: Information for the User: Relief; your possible side effects [both said on right and left columns]; [Left Side]:
Feathered heights, seeds of hope, a held-together heart, many petalled joys;
[Right Side]: Reconnection with the music of life, perceived blue skies, green-leaved fate, star-guarded nights;
[Bottom Caption]: Relief: medicines cause side effects, although not everybody gets, although not excessive medicine, if you get any side effects, modern magic

Text: Artist's Statement
"Modern Magic" was inspired by trench art, in which the detritus of war is used to make decorative items. While I no longer identify with the idea of life with illness being a battle to win, there is definitely conflict and much discarded medical waste. I made this piece from a medicine blister pack and information leaflet, along with representations of uplift and joy because, in this instance, the prescription had relieved some strong symptoms.

Text: The stitch used to
attach the blister pack to the background is blanket stitch, which brings to mind comfort. The use of natural items in the pill compartments harks back to healing techniques before the development of modern medicine.
They remind us that synthesized medicine isn't necessarily the antithesis of traditional beliefs.
Germaine Hypher (she/her) has been disabled by ME and fibromyalgia since young childhood. She is author of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

When, last year, I saw a photo of a calligrapha beetle I just had to recreate it. I had fantasies of an intricately stitched version, or a ceramic version (not within my skill set). As it was, I propped myself up in bed & drew this little picture. #drawing #art #nature #chronicillness #mecfs #ME/CFS

An open sketch book with three pens lying across one page shows a black, white and gold drawing of a calligrapha beetle whose markings look almost like ceramic tiles.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

When home is the only place I can be, it helps to have plenty of creativity supplies to hand. Hopefully I’ll be able to play with them again before long. In the meantime I think of them like friends on holiday, knowing we’ll be in contact again soon. #chronicillness #invisibleillness #mecfs #ME/CFS

In a background of turquoise and beige blobs, dark red text says: When home is the only place I can be, it helps to have plenty of creativity supplies to hand. Hopefully I’ll be able to play with them again before long. In the meantime I think of them like friends on holiday, knowing we’ll be in contact again soon. @craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

An almost 30 year old photo, cut out and freshly embellished with hand embroidery to create a thirtieth birthday card. I’m not well enough to be at my daughter’s birthday party (again) but I can remind her how loved she is. #chronicillness #mecfs #ME/CFS #embroidery #CraftSky #sewing #fiberart

Photo of a 9 month old white girl with a big cheeky grin, looking partially sideways at the camera. She’s wearing a red and white top and a red hat with a daisy chain around it. White daisies with yellow centres have been embroidered onto the photo, which has been stuck to textured card with a border of red dots.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

For anyone who needs the sound of water in this heatwave, here’s the garden water feature I created a few years ago from an old wok, some stones and a cheap solar powered fountain. #garden #waterfeature #upcycled #craftsky #recycled #chronicillness #mecfs #ME/CFS #chronicpain

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

My poem, If I Lie Here. Written years ago, still relevant! If you have Instagram, you can hear me reading it on my account over there: @craftingapaththroughillness #chronicillness #invisibleillness #mecfs #ME/CFS #poetry #nature #resting #chronicfatigue #chronicpain

If I Lie Here

If I lie here long enough
Perhaps moss will colonise my life,
A community of spores may fall,
Weed-seeds could settle upon me
Entrusting their hearts to the next calling
Crows will strut their sentry walk
Along the tumulus of my form,
They know what to watch for, what to say, Warm vanilla and wet dell
Will call from where sunrays and shadows lay
Rain may flatten and erode;
It is fine, this lying life of mine, It is fine for this moment alone, If I lie here long enough
Nature may make me one of her own
© Germaine Hypher
@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Chronic crafter spotlight: Cath Jevon who lives with M.E. and migraines, crocheted this rose garden cardigan and Freya goddess doll. 🌹 🧶 🌼 The Rose Cardigan is adapted from a pattern by Tania Skalozub. #chronicillness #invisibleillness #chronicpain #migraine #crochet #fiberart #CraftSky #goddess

Cath, a smiling white woman with long curly grey hair and glasses is sitting down wearing a bright green crocheted cardigan covered in three dimensional crocheted roses. Each rose is a combination of dark and light pink.

A yellow crochet doll in the style of a traditional goddess figurine with a rounded body and arms reaching into an arc over the faceless head. A green spiral is crocheted onto the belly, a brown rune is on the chest and a crocheted leafy daisy chain is wound around the body and arms.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

While my body continues to shout at me loudly with symptoms, Nature continues to deliver gifts. If I were well I would have done more than just scatter some spare wildflower seeds last year, but what natural beauty! #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #ME/CFS #fibromyalgia #garden #wildflowers 📷 🌺

A border of wildflowers, mainly red valerian and oxeye daisies, with a dark wood fence behind.

Close up of red valerian flowers and oxeye daisies, self seeded in a border.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

14 years ago today Mr H & I were able to have a short but wonderful wedding celebration before I had to return to lying down. I made this wallhanging as a reminder of our special day. #fiberart #sewing #craftsky #chronicillness #mecfs #fibromyalgia #wedding #embroidery #ME/CFS #chronicpain

Hand-sewn wallhanging, hung from a branch on a pale green wall with cushions below. The wallhanging is made from hessian and cream materials with different embroidered features, commemorating a beach wedding, in patched together squares.

A close up of the wallhanging featuring scraps of a bridesmaid dress, ribbon embroidered daisies, silk embroidered daisies, tiny spare seed beads from my wedding dress, a silk daisy I wore in my hair, dried daisies, silver and copper spiral earrings that match my engagement ring and a phrase from one of the wedding readings: “oh the inexpressible comfort”. Tiny shells, a pearlescent button and spiralling string couching also feature.

A close up of the wallhanging featuring a hand embroidered depiction of the wish tree we had on the day. Tiny seed beads from my dress are used to represent the shells that hung from the branches and embroidered leaves represent the paper leaves that people wrote their wishes for us on and hung on the branches.

A close up of the wallhanging featuring scraps of a bridesmaid dress, spiralled couching with natural string, stumpwork shells, sewn on real shells, and spiralling couched strings of tiny potato pearls on pieces of the bag made from thick, textured paper and gauze fabric that I used on my wedding day.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Today is the first birthday of Crafting a Path Through Illness! I’m a little late in posting as I had to sleep for most of the day but there’s a whole weekend ahead of us to celebrate. 📖 🎂 🥳 #chronicillness #invisibleillness #chronicpain #mecfs #fibromyalgia #craftsky #creativity #selfhelpbook 💙📚

A copy of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness by Germaine Hypher stands next to a glass cake-stand piled with frosting topped cupcakes. Origami butterflies made from maps sit among the cakes to match the ones on the book cover. There is a bookcase filled with books in the background.

Above and below this is grey-blue text that reads:
First Birthday!
5 Ways to Celebrate…

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Crafting a Path Through Illness - suitable for all ages!😆 Is this 3 year old autistic boy the cutest reader of my book? He’s my grandson so I’d say yes but do challenge me with any photos/stories of unexpected, cute readers.😀 #selfhelpbooks #creativity #cute #chronicillness #autisticchildren 📚 👶🏼 📖

Photo of a three year old boy with very short hair, wearing just a nappy, squatting on the floor while looking at and opening the book Crafting A Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill.

Photo of a three year old boy with very short hair, wearing just a nappy, sitting on the floor while looking at and turning the pages of the book Crafting A Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Sometimes, when too unwell to create, nature provides a creation for you. This rose appeared in my garden from nowhere. A seed dropped by a bird? It feels like a ‘feel better’ gift to stop me moaning about not visiting other gardens! #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #ME/CFS #fibromyalgia

A photo of a white, open petalled, rambling rose with a yellow centre.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Here in the New Forest, there is an annual Green Man parade at the start of May celebrating the fresh foliage. I’ve not been able to attend but, instead, here’s my first attempt at portraying the Green Man. #painting #art #nature #paganism #watercolour #pastels #mecfs #chronicillness

A watercolour and pastel painting repenting the Green Man in shades of fresh and dark green with some abstract lilac in the background.

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Reposted by Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness

Carrie Marshall - MySeveralWorlds.com @myseveralworlds.com · 12/05/2026

📢 New MSW #ArtTherapy Interview It's #FibromylgiaAwarenessDay & #MEAwarenessDay. I'm sharing convos with chronically ill creators. Meet @germainehypher.bsky.social, author & artist behind Crafting A Path Through Illness. 🔗 www.myseveralworlds.com/2026/05/11/i... #MySeveralWorlds #GlobalArtists

📢 New MSW #ArtTherapy interview for #May12!

It's #FibromylgiaAwarenessDay and #MEAwarenessDay. I'm sharing conversations with chronically ill artists, writers, and creators.

Over the years through My Several Worlds, I’ve interviewed dozens of chronically ill artists and authors whose work reflects not only pain and limitation, but adaptation, resilience, vulnerability, and truth.

Meet Germaine Hypher, the author and artist behind
Crafting A Path Through Illness. Learn about her creative process and her wonderful book.
🔗
https://www.myseveralworlds.com/2026/05/11/interview-with-crafting-a-path-through-illness-germaine-hypher/

#MySeveralWorlds #TeamFibro #SupportFibro #MSWInterview #GlobalArtists #SpoonieArtists #PutPurpleOn #FibroNerds

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

The poetry anthology I Once Was is published today, on International M.E. Awareness Day. All the poems have been written by M.E. patients, including one by me. Available from Amazon. All profits donated to @openmedf.bsky.social #mecfs #ME/CFS #chronicillness #invisibleillness #poetry #books

The book cover of I Once Was: A Poetry Anthology About Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis has delicate withered daisy-like flowers with petals flying away on a dark background.

Black text on a white background reads:
Book overview
I Once Was is a poetry anthology that encapsulates the feelings of distortion of time and self that occur for people severely affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Becoming chronically ill is an identity crisis; you lose the ability to do many or all of the things that defined you.
M.E. is a complex multi-systemic neuroimmune disease that, in 25% of the cases, leaves the patient bedbound due to insufficient energy production within the cells. With no known cure and very limited treatments available, millions are suffering in silence in their homes without adequate help. This anthology aims to spread awareness for this underfunded disease, and all profits from it will go towards Open Medicine Foundation.
"These poems - these prayers - written by just a few of the victims of myalgic encephalomyelitis come to us from along the edges of life and death. Entrusted to our care are not just the powerful words on the page but also the silences between the words, between the lines, and in the margins. In my many years of studying poetry, rarely have I ever been so overwhelmed by the outcry of the effable longing for life, for understanding, and for someone simply to listen.
Because these poets had the courage to somehow pen these lines, we must find the courage to read them, to ponder them, with our heads bowed in reverence for what surpasses utterance."
- David Patterson, Distinguished Professor of Literature and History, The University of Texas at Dallas.

Black text on a blue background reads:

"I once was" is a heartfelt book of poems that puts words to our experience in a way that makes me feel understood as a patient, and shines light on ME/CFS... I am grateful to everyone involved."
- Whitney Dafoe
Very severe M.E. patient

Black writing on a blue background reads:
“The poetry in this collection is a passport to a place where love, loss and longing become infinite... If you cannot relate to the way these writers have suffered just to be able to communicate their authentic experience, take it in... Allow the heartache. You will find yourself expanding to accept a greater spectrum of human experience and you will never be the same."
- Galen Warden, artist, poet, author, and full-time caregiver

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

I’ve been able to lie in the garden for a short while today. In case you’re in need of some sunshine garden vibes, here’s a border of wet-felted poppies being visited by a fellow felted bumble bee. #fiberart #nature #craftsky #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #ME/CFS #invisibleillness #crafting

A photo of a border of green foliage in a garden features seven yellow Welsh poppies made from felted wool. On one of them sits a felted bumble bee with machine embroidered wings.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

I’m not often well enough lately to use my sewing machine but that doesn’t mean it goes unloved. While it rests, its cover displays all kinds of curios that make me happy. Welcome to my mini wall of interest. #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #mecfs #ME/CFS #fibromyalgia #nature #origami

A white plastic sewing machine cover sits in front of a pale green wall. On top of it sits a wasp nest and a pincushion shaped like a vole. Stuck on the front of it are art postcards (of a pantomime elephant, a Rennie Mackintosh picture, a drawing of kissing seahorses), a photo of a patchwork quilt and a closeup of an autumn leaf. There are also origami cranes, feathers, a stone with my name written on it, some dried leaves and lichen, a muppets sticker and sign saying May Your Bobbin Always Be Full.

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

YOU are still here beneath the layers of pain and illness. How do you find ways to connect with your core self? 🧶 🧵 🪡 🎨 ✍🏻 📷 🌱 🧁 💃 🎭 ✂️ 🎵 📖 #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #mecfs #ME/CFS #fibromyalgia #covid #autoimmune #art #creativity #craftsky #crafts #poetry

A bright yellow and orange background fades to pale yellow at the top and bottom. Large text reads:
“YOU are still here beneath the layers of pain and illness.”
Beneath this is the question:
“How do you find ways to connect with your core self?”
At the top of the page is a list of creative suggestions:
“Writing : Music : Home Decor: Humour Drawing : Tattoos: Making : Imagining
Growing plants: Reading : Learning: Watching Colours: Textures: Photos: Connections...”
At the bottom of the page is the tag
@craftingapaththroughillness

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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

My artwork is in the latest issue of Flare Magazine, which was released on Saturday! Check it out to see my contribution… There’s some fabulous #poetry #flashfiction, #art #music #mixedmedia - all on the theme of #medicine for this issue. #chronicillness #mecfs #disability flare-magazine.com

Reposted by Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness

FLARE Magazine (SUBS CLOSED) @flarelitmag.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Special Issue 3: Medication is out now! Go read the issue here: flare-magazine.com/special-mini... Our contributors (1/3): Barbara Krasner Bella Melardi CA Scarborough Chloe Marika Glass @2heartcore4u.bsky.social Jhoanna Parvati Jo Marjoribanks Maia Elizabeth

orange, pink, and red background rays with white background middle: Special Issue 3: Medication is out! Check out flare-magazine.com to read the issue; picture of pink and blue/teal-ish pill

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