Announcement: special series of crochet patterns coming up

Hi all,

Last week I shared a personal update on my blog and Instagram with a picture of myself. I want to thank you all from the deepest of my heart. After posting that picture, I received a thousand messages filled with love – and none of them was negative.

Not only did your words have a big impact on me, also my extended family (people with the same condition) read your comments. Many of them have younger kids who look like me and are worried about the acceptance of their kids when they get older. Reading your words encouraged them too and restored a little faith in humanity.

New series of patterns coming up

Looking back, getting diagnosed and finding people with the same condition is what I needed to become who I am. My new ‘extended family’ is located all over the world and I can’t wait to meet them all. So far I was able to meet five of them during my trip through the USA.

I want to use this positive change in my life as a source of inspiration for my crochet designs. Many of my upcoming patterns will be special designs inspired by my extended family who all have made a huge impact on me.

Some patterns of this series are ready to be published (expect them soon!), some are still in progress and some are only concepts/ideas which I still have to work on coming months. I’m excited to share our unique stories with you through crochet and can’t wait to show the designs we (mom and I) have worked on!

Love,

Wilma

Edit: the first two patterns in this series are available!

• Just me hookin’ at the Red Rock State Park ⛰•

Yep, that’s right, that’s me! I actually never really share pictures of myself here on Instagram. Mainly to avoid rude comments or questions. I have learnt that the internet can be a mean place when you have a different appearance. And the more followers I got on Instagram, the scarier it became. • I was born with an unknown malignant tumor in my face. Doctors never knew what I had exactly and said I was the only one so far they knew of. One year ago (2017) I did a second opinion and got diagnosed with an ultra rare condition. I started searching on Google and found a few other people with the same condition who look just like me. I see them as my new ‘extended family’. I wrote a blog post with more info, you can find the link in my bio.

• It took me three years to find the courage to post a picture and talk about my tumor here on Insta. I want to thank you all for helping me getting here. Thank you for following me and always leaving such nice comments. Thank you dear (crochet) friends who I’ve met the last 12 months for encouraging me. Thank you amazing crochet community for always being so kind and supportive. Words cannot describe how much you mean to me! <3

Een bericht gedeeld door 🔹Wilma Westenberg (@wilmawestenberg) op 8 Apr 2018 om 12:06 (PDT)