In life it's often said that, "one thing leads to another". Every decision and life moment—whether they are big or small—evokes a ripple effect. The inspiration for this website is much the same—a pile of life moments—linking together and forging a community of chronic warriors and an inspiration-filled business.
First, an Illness
It all began for me in 2010, when I woke up one morning feeling very sick. Virtually overnight, I went from a healthy and energetic young teenager to suddenly being bedridden, and too fatigued to even walk.
This was the dawn of my illness—the very beginning of my journey with a long-named, rarely talked about and commonly misunderstood invisible illness known as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
At the time, I wasn't sure what was wrong with me—nobody was. As the days turned to months and the months turned to years, I traveled down every rung of the ladder of chronic illness. The fear, the denial, the grief, the anger, the isolation, and more. Until one day, in desperation, when I leaned on my faith and found hope.
This was the dawn of my illness—the very beginning of my journey with a long-named, rarely talked about and commonly misunderstood invisible illness known as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
At the time, I wasn't sure what was wrong with me—nobody was. As the days turned to months and the months turned to years, I traveled down every rung of the ladder of chronic illness. The fear, the denial, the grief, the anger, the isolation, and more. Until one day, in desperation, when I leaned on my faith and found hope.
Then, a Prayer
I was quite sick—and giving up—one day in 2016 when I prayed to God in desperation. "God" I asked, "What is the reason for my illness?". He answered my prayer with three simple words, "To help others".
In that moment, I turned my struggles into my strength, and used His words to guide me. I began writing my book, "Stuck on the Sidelines", on that very day.
I wrote my book in hopes that my story and experiences could provide a comforting validation to others in the same shoes—and provide a much-needed glimpse into the life of a teenager with chronic illness, to help caretakers, school professionals, and others understand invisible illness from the inside.
In that moment, I turned my struggles into my strength, and used His words to guide me. I began writing my book, "Stuck on the Sidelines", on that very day.
I wrote my book in hopes that my story and experiences could provide a comforting validation to others in the same shoes—and provide a much-needed glimpse into the life of a teenager with chronic illness, to help caretakers, school professionals, and others understand invisible illness from the inside.
Shayla Rose with her book, "Stuck on the Sidelines: The Reality of Facing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome", which she wrote after encountering her own struggles with this disorder.
Building a Community with a Flowerpot
Ever since facing the isolation and invalidation that goes hand-in-hand with invisible, chronic illness, I knew the importance of support. I felt it in my own life, when I attended my first support group.
I knew how life-changing, and life-saving support groups could be. I knew the power of sitting in a room with other chronic illness warriors—hearing the echoes of "me too", and witnessing the forming of friendships as people found others who understood their illness from the inside.
I knew I wanted to harness this incredible feeling of validation and mutual support—and help others experience it too. Chronic illness is a hard road to walk, and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that nobody had to walk it alone.
My dream began to come true in 2019, when a hand-painted flowerpot was given to me by my cousin as a part of a school project she and her two eighth grade classmates were doing. The pot was beautiful—it nearly made me cry— but what was even more beautiful was the meaning behind it.
The flowerpot was painted with POTS in mind. My cousin and her classmates were a part of a school project where they had to evoke positive change for a specific illness, or cause. They chose POTS, and each painted a couple flowerpots and hand-delivered them to local warriors in their community.
After several conversations with my cousin and her mom, I knew that this idea had to be continued. This was exactly what those with POTS needed—a simple, loving reminder that they are not alone. Thus, Pots for Potsies was born, and it still continues today. We have since mailed over 100 custom flowerpots to young warriors all throughout the country.
I knew how life-changing, and life-saving support groups could be. I knew the power of sitting in a room with other chronic illness warriors—hearing the echoes of "me too", and witnessing the forming of friendships as people found others who understood their illness from the inside.
I knew I wanted to harness this incredible feeling of validation and mutual support—and help others experience it too. Chronic illness is a hard road to walk, and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that nobody had to walk it alone.
My dream began to come true in 2019, when a hand-painted flowerpot was given to me by my cousin as a part of a school project she and her two eighth grade classmates were doing. The pot was beautiful—it nearly made me cry— but what was even more beautiful was the meaning behind it.
The flowerpot was painted with POTS in mind. My cousin and her classmates were a part of a school project where they had to evoke positive change for a specific illness, or cause. They chose POTS, and each painted a couple flowerpots and hand-delivered them to local warriors in their community.
After several conversations with my cousin and her mom, I knew that this idea had to be continued. This was exactly what those with POTS needed—a simple, loving reminder that they are not alone. Thus, Pots for Potsies was born, and it still continues today. We have since mailed over 100 custom flowerpots to young warriors all throughout the country.
The first flowerpot, painted by Shayla's cousin, which would go on to spark the idea of Pots for Potsies.
Inspiration in the Midst of a Strange Time
Sometimes the brightest lights are found in the darkest of times.
As the pandemic of 2020 spread, and lockdowns became the new normal, my mom and I grew bored. We had cleaned and organized, watched the entire season of Tiger King, and eventually ran out of ways to entertain ourselves. Until one day when we each grabbed a paint brush and old, heavy flowerpots, and spent the afternoon painting.
After admiring our inspiring designs, we decided to place our painted flowerpots at the street to help brighten the days of others.
Then, people began to stop, comment on, and buy our flowerpots. It quickly became clear to us that our flowerpots were helping cheer people up. They were the perfect gift—a small reminder to a loved one that during this isolation, they are loved, important, and not alone. Some bought our flowerpots as gifts for teachers, friends, nurses, family members, and more. We used our proceeds to benefit the local food pantry.
After realizing the impact that a small, hand-painted flowerpot could have, we continued painting, and allowed this inspiring idea to lead us to where we are now.
As the pandemic of 2020 spread, and lockdowns became the new normal, my mom and I grew bored. We had cleaned and organized, watched the entire season of Tiger King, and eventually ran out of ways to entertain ourselves. Until one day when we each grabbed a paint brush and old, heavy flowerpots, and spent the afternoon painting.
After admiring our inspiring designs, we decided to place our painted flowerpots at the street to help brighten the days of others.
Then, people began to stop, comment on, and buy our flowerpots. It quickly became clear to us that our flowerpots were helping cheer people up. They were the perfect gift—a small reminder to a loved one that during this isolation, they are loved, important, and not alone. Some bought our flowerpots as gifts for teachers, friends, nurses, family members, and more. We used our proceeds to benefit the local food pantry.
After realizing the impact that a small, hand-painted flowerpot could have, we continued painting, and allowed this inspiring idea to lead us to where we are now.
The flowerpots that were painted by Shayla and her mom during quarantine to help encourage their community and spread inspiration. The very beginning of what is now known as "Inspire Pots".
We continue to paint inspirational flowerpots, and we offer them for sale online in our shop. All of our inspirational flowerpots are hand-painted with weather-resistant paint. We enjoy painting, coming up with new designs and witnessing the joy that a simple flowerpot can bring.
A portion of the proceeds from our inspirational flowerpot sales get donated directly to Pots for Potsies, to help continue my mission of sending free flowerpots to dysautonomia warriors, and helping them feel less alone.
The power of a loving gesture can be so profound, and we all have the ability to help brighten the day of others.
Keep on keeping on,
Shayla
A portion of the proceeds from our inspirational flowerpot sales get donated directly to Pots for Potsies, to help continue my mission of sending free flowerpots to dysautonomia warriors, and helping them feel less alone.
The power of a loving gesture can be so profound, and we all have the ability to help brighten the day of others.
Keep on keeping on,
Shayla