Dazzling Decor with Destinee

01/10/2026

Yesterday was a milestone I did not know I would be so proud of: taking “Sabrina” (my new Xpresso line rollator walker made by Evolution 😂) out for a grocery and necessities run. 🛒✨

I’m being real with you guys: life looks a lot different lately. Between navigating a new Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) prognosis and essentially hitting the “restart” button on my finances and personal life, “overwhelmed” is an understatement. Huge shoutout to the local community services that provided gift cards to help me get the necessities. Starting over financially while managing a complex health condition is the “elephant in the room” I’m choosing to address head-on. It’s hard, but I’m not out of the race. My current “office” is a rotation of specialists that feels like a full-time job.

The “Care Team” Rotation: 🩺
• Family Doctor 📋
• Neurologist 🧠
• Rheumatologist 🦴
• Respirologist 🫁
• Hematologist 🩸
• Cardiologist ❤️
• Psychiatrist & Psychologist 🫂
• Physiotherapist 👟
• Chiropractor 👐
• Massage Therapist (RMT) ✨

Living with a FND prognosis for me means dealing with cataplexy, dystaria, absent seizures, and chronic pain daily. The reality of this prognosis is that outpatient care is exhausting. I probably legit forgot someone on that list, and that’s the wild part! 😅 But learning more about it helps me get control over it and find the right treatment protocol for me.

I’m not scared of the road ahead. I’ve navigated the loss of friendships, family shifts, and a legal separation just to get to this point of healing. I’m finding my community in FND support groups and rediscovering my passion for business. I believe that I am strong enough to handle all of this.

I’m taking my rehabilitation journey one day at a time, but I think I might overcome this, y’all. 💪🏽✨ Please keep checking in on me occasionally and letting me know what is happening in the community. Every time you do, it reminds me I am not alone or forgotten and that this community has my back as I venture back towards it! 💖l

01/04/2026

“Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I’m free at last.” — MLK Jr. (Well… free sorta I’m outpatient! 😅)

After three hospital admissions, I finally have some answers. It has been a journey, but I am finally feeling understood. Here is the “Destinee Update” on what’s actually going on:

The Diagnosis: 🧠
I am officially a candidate for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Think of it like a “software glitch” my brain’s hardware is fine, but the operating system is crashing and sending scrambled signals to my body. It explains the limb weakness, tremors, and brain fog perfectly.

The Full Picture: 🧪
We aren’t done yet! I am still finishing tests outpatient to rule out neurological autoimmune disorders, as I have heard my bloodwork suggests I might be dealing with both.

The Game Plan: 💃🏾
• I have a temporary rollator walker and will be getting my own soon for flares and limb weakness.
• Physical therapy will be starting for my spinal discs and sciatica. Will also likely see a pain specialist for this as well. Also, my chiropractor and RMT will be seeing a lot of me.
• I am officially cleared for gentle yoga to get back into my fitness groove! I cannot do every pose of course but something is better than nothing.

A Note on Advocacy: 📢
To my healthcare friends: Please believe your patients. Symptoms like mine do not always show up on basic tests, but they are 100% real. Listen first, judge never.

On the Home Front (I have permission to share btw): 🏠
Jason and I are still legally separated but sharing our home. He is starting extensive therapy, and we are headed to marriage counseling soon to figure out our path forward. For now, we have put the drama on hold so I can focus on healing.

I am resting, recovering, and rebuilding. Thank you to everyone who stuck by me and never judged me or accused me of anything. I have never felt more free to be me. ✨

01/03/2026

Core memory unlocked! 🔓✨ Look who popped in the other day and saved the entire day? and his amazing mum!
I’m still nomming on the delish vegan Bundt cake dimi’s mum made she said it was a fail my tummy disagrees! 🧁 Having them stop by to chat through life and health was exactly what I needed during a long stressful day of more tests and medical panic. And don’t even get me started on the Dimi cuddles and cozy socks... my heart had officially melted. 🫠 So much love for these two and thankful for their visit! 💖

01/02/2026

Had to temporarily trade Lemongrab in for a wheelchair to go on an extended stroll the other day! ♿️🍋✨

Found a $1 book rack at the gift shop had a small book haul and decided that 2026 is officially my “Physical Book Era.” 📖 While I’m cozying up reading these (and some I’ve bought that I neglected to read) I will be waiting for important tests and answers.

On a serious note: let’s talk about a medical stigma that drives me absolutely bonkers. ☁️ Weight gain can be a symptom, not just a cause. Don’t judge a book by its cover. For those that know, I’ve been on a weight loss journey since January 2025 and lost 100 pounds which is a lot to lose. Unfortunately for me, the slight shift in my nutrition, stress, and weight loss actually triggered my body to go into auto-attack mode. Medical exploration life is a wild ride.

I’ve said goodbye to an iconic doctor yesterday (rotation switches are the worst!) but I’m hopeful for the next chapter. I’m feeling less like I’m wandering aimlessly. We have some idea of what it might be and it’s totally unexpected.

A message to my medical professional besties: we’re scared! Patients like myself get spooked in silence. Clarity is kindness! As an autistic patient, knowing the why keeps the panic at bay. Keep us in the loop so our brains don’t spiral. 🧠✨

I’m sharing this here because I need the outlet and my community alongside me lifting me up. If you have questions, ask away! No shame, just healing. ✨🙏 Becuase truthfully I would much rather you hear it from me than a secondhand narrator.
Sending so much love to the ones who choose patience over judgment. This is my outlet, and I’m so glad you’re here for the ride. 💖

12/31/2025

Rolling into 2026 like... literally. Huge thank you to .ca and for the slippers and hospital clothing delivery during my first hospital stay. I have been strolling with Lemongrab (my walker) in style, and honestly, it’s the vibe shift I needed as the nurses love them. 🍋👟Also to for the blanket delivery during stay two. The real reason I stay nice and toasty in this medical icebox. 🥶
I’m manifesting right now: this is the floor. Mentally and physically, this is the lowest I go. From here, we only climb. 📈
2026 is going to look radically different for me, my business, and my future. To everyone who has stuck by me, and to the new faces who joined the ride you may have found me at my lowest point. But I promise you will never see me here like this again.
Current Status:
• Waiting on: That MRI. Let’s get these answers asap! 🙏🏾
• NYE Plans: Hanging out with granny pants aka my roommate. Question though are we doing the “grapes under the table” thing? 🍇 Since I can’t quite crawl under one right now, the bedside table is going to have to manifest that luck for me.
Happy New Year’s Eve, folks. We’re leaving the weight of this year behind. 🥂✨

12/30/2025

They say silence is golden, but for too long, I’ve let my health struggles live in the dark. I’m choosing to change that. 🕯️
I’m currently on my third hospital admission. This time, I lost the ability to walk or feel my lower body outside of pain. It’s been a lot to process, but here is where I stand:
• Two herniated disks near my tailbone.
• A confirmed sprained ankle.
• Arthritis in my hips.
• Tomorrow is day 4 of waiting for an MRI to explain the sudden loss of mobility.
• The start of a very long autoimmune discovery journey.
My world looks a bit different right now. My “best friend” is a hospital-loaned walker named Lemongrab, and my “hikes” are short strolls to the end of the hallway with two spotters. 🍋
The Plan: I won’t be posting maker/business content for a while. Instead, I’m going to share the raw updates. The facts about my physical and mental health and the life changes happening in real-time. I’m done letting stigma win. I hope you’ll stick around for this part of my journey until I’m ready to venture back into the maker world.
Thank You: To Jason and his family for the support even with our current chaotic life situation you have been so supportive, and to every single person who has reached out or visited including my mom. Thank you to Jaclyn for driving her and for being such a caregiver during all of this. You have no idea how much you’ve helped my mental health.
If the weather is nice soon and you’re near the Met Campus, please come say hi. I need the reminder that there is a world outside these walls. 🏥✨

10/23/2025

10/17/2025

Where I’ll be this weekend check out the details

We’re wishing a warm welcome to the artists and vendors who will be at Art at the Otentiks this weekend!

Come check it out this Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm!

Learn more: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/activ/calendrier-calendar/71eb093f-5840-463d-bee2-560bbba16839

09/10/2025

FALL FAIR SCHEDULE 🍂 save this image now so you can refer back to it on Sunday & make sure you don’t miss a thing!

8:00-10:00- Pancake Breakfast (Pavillion/Food Court) includes pancakes, sausage & your choice of coffee/tea/juice. Ages 10 & up $10, ages 5-9 $5, 4 & under FREE!

9:00- Story time with The Haunted Zoo - Jeff Denomme who will read his new book “The Honeycomb Heroes- Bee Considerate” (Stage/Food Court)

9:30- Jon Brett Kids takes the stage with his Crazy Kids Show! (Stage/Food Court)

10:00-4:00- Vendor Booth Open

10:00-4:00- Bouncy Castles, crafts, games, train rides (takes a break for the parade!), The Art Lab, petting zoo & so much more!

10:30- Sarah Parks Horsemanship demonstration (baseball diamond closest to the pavillion)

11:00- Horseshoe Tournament Starts (meet behind the tennis courts to play)

11:30- windsorfoodspotters & Cottam Candy mini donut eating contest (meet at food court stage)

12:00- Parade step off @ The Cabinet Mill. Parade runs down County Rd 34 to County Rd 27, then to fox street & ends at the Pavillion

12:00-4:00- Pop Up Bar by Brookston Oaks Taproom & Mercantile is open. 19+, have ID & all drinks must remain in the park

12:30- Music from Acoustics Unlimited

1:00- Ribbon Cutting with the Town of Kingsville celebrating the opening of the new Pavillion

1:00-4:00- pony rides with Sarah Parks Horsemanship & mechanical bull rides sponsored by Trimble Farms Cattle Company Inc.

2:00- Border City Wrestling in the ring

3:00- Cottam Rotary 50/50 Draw

4:00- The End!

#519

09/05/2025

07/21/2025

So ready for Dresden Summer Night Market I’m bringing a new mushroom colour 👀

The Dresden Summer Night Market is almost here!

Check out our line-up of vendors, food trucks, and performers by visiting our Instagram Story highlights: https://www.instagram.com/nmdresden/

📍Dresden Summer Night Market
🗓Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 4-11pm (shopping ends at 9:30)
🇨🇦Outside in Downtown Dresden, ON
♻️Bring reusable bags & your Pop-Up Bar Cup
🩷Organized by a small volunteer group of friends
✨Learn more: www.night-market.ca

06/27/2025

First time coming to the Dresden Night Market? Plan ahead and learn more about us by visiting our website!

https://night-market.ca/plan-your-visit/

📍Dresden Summer Night Market
🗓Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 4-11pm (shopping ends at 9:30)
🇨🇦Outside in Downtown Dresden, ON
♻️Bring reusable bags & your Pop-Up Bar Cup
🩷Organized by a small volunteer group of friends
✨Learn more: www.night-market.ca