What I've learned from building a studio as a disabled man:
It's been almost 4 years now since we started construction on the studio. This is a project that I have been trying to get built for the last 35 years almost. I've tried several times in the past to make it a reality, but just never quite got there. I've currently come the closest I've ever come to having, completing, and preparing to set up the studio I've always wanted.
A place for me to be able to express myself artistically. A place where I can go to be creative, inventive, and crafty. My own personal sanctuary. Every time I've tried before I've had very little opportunity or space to be able to try to realize this dream. A place where all my stuff was set up and ready to go, at a moment's notice. A place where all my things - musical, artistic and the like - would have a home. Not sitting in boxes in a basement, or in bags thrown in the corner. Everything would have its place. Everything would be there just waiting for me to pick it up and create.
This wouldn't normally be an impossible or probable dream, accept for the fact that I've been disabled since I was in my late 20s to early 30s. At least officially. I've always been hindered physically since birth. Construction is a very physical activity. For someone like myself, who is limited in most areas of building and construction at the scale that I've been having try and do over the last less than 4 years, is not an easy task to say the least. It's not even really a realistic task for me. But taking my time over the last 4 years and with the help of family and friends, I'm happy to say that the studio is just about finished. All that's left is some painting and set up, and then we're ready to go.
Unfortunately, in the last few weeks we found that there are water leaks in the walls of one side of the building. They're fairly significant leaks. And though we have a plan, there's not much I can do about it until the snow melts. So I am again having to wait to complete this process that started in March of 2021.
When it comes to the building of the studio, disappointment and frustration with its painfully slow pace of completion has become all too familiar. However, my wife has helped me realize that whether or not the studio takes 4 days, 4 weeks, or 4 years, it will be completed. And that even though I'm almost 55 years old now, I should never let go of my dreams. Age is just a number, and you should always strive for something that inspires you ... that helps you get to a place you need, a situation of importance to you, and/or a sense of personal accomplishment, no matter what.
So that being said, we wait until the snow leaves, we fix the problem, and we finish the job.
Finish the job…that's a strange concept for me when it comes to this. I've tried several times through the years to try to accomplish what I'm doing now with the studio. But every time I've tried in the past, things seem to fall apart and it never gets completed or even started. Which makes this time special. Because, again with the help of the people of my life and forced patience, I'm just about to have what I've always wanted. My place for my happiness.
Needless to say when it is completed, I will be posting all over the Internet and screaming it into the hills to let ALL know that it's finally here. Finally, after a long last.
