๐ Steemit Has Changed My World + Check Out My New Toy - Squee ๐
Our life over the few past years has been an amazing journey, one that was filled with rewards and milestones for our children - but it has also faced us with some of the biggest struggles we have ever encountered.
@ausbitbank AKA Adam and I have two severely Autistic non-verbal children under 8, we have had to change the way live and interact with the world around us to ensure the safety and comfort of our children.
To ensure their success Adam and I spared no expense, we burnt through our life savings sending them to an Autism only Kindy to receive full time therapy from when they were only 2.5 years old - meeting best practices guidelines.
However on top of this we found the expenses just kept growing and before long, our savings were gone and then we started to sell anything we owned of value to cover our mounting debts.
In just three years we paid over $250,000 just in therapy for our kids, now I am not complaining in fact I would happily do it again because I know just how massive an impact early intervention has had on our children.
Like most parents there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my kids, that definitely includes going without life's little luxuries - and even in times of great need reaching out to charities, to simply make ends meet or get food and fuel.
However for the first time in 8 years Adam and I are starting to be able to relax and actually enjoy life for a change, instead of being in a constant state of panic about how we would get through the week.
@ausbitbank and I have been on steemit now for 11 months, we have both worked hard within our chosen focus areas and now after all of that time and effort were beginning to see some truly amazing results.
For the first time in 8 years @ausbitbank bought a luxury item that wasn't for the kids, it was for me - squee!
For years we had talked about 3D printers and how awesome it would be to have one, but it was never a practical expense so our talk never went past the wouldn't that be awesome? hypothetical.
Well a few days ago after picking the kids up from school I found a large parcel in the office, all @ausbitbank said was that I might want to take a few pictures...
So here's what I found, not only had he bought me a 3D printing pen.
He had also bought an insane supply of PLA filament, so I now have heaps to play with to figure this all out.
I have been addicted to it ever since spending literally hours learning how to use it through trial and error.
Here's my first and very dodgy attempt at anything..
It ended up turning into a basket of flowers - note to self, have a plan of what you want to make before you start.
Then I tried a simple love heart, that I can't seem to get even lol.
I have since learned that apparently it is easier to start on paper and build your layers up, rather than almost starting in mid air with nothing to build up on makes it incredibly difficult to work.
I never knew that when I joined steemit 11 months ago, that my world would change so drastically in such a small amount of time - not just the money side of things either, the people, the information they share and the community in general have changed my world.
Now I do want to stress to anyone reading this that @ausbitbank's success has been based on countless hours of hard focussed work, this didn't just fall into our laps - but with time and effort of your own, there is no telling how massive an impact steemit can have on your life too.
In a way investing in the 3D pen was a smart move, I now have a new tool which I can use to create content for steemit - this in turn will help purchase filament and tools in the future.
But for right now I'm just giddy with childlike excitement over my new toy, something I really didn't expect to ever manage to get and now it's mine all thanks to steemit and @ausbitbank.
So I am anxious to get back to my next little 3D creation, but I just have to say a massive thank you to @ausbitbank - I absolutely love it :D
How has steemit changed your world?
Check out my story
or follow me on twitter @krystlehaines
It has changed my perception of social media. Before Steemit I was a common "waste time facebook" user, now I realize that interesting stories and wonderful content can be shared with the community and actually be heard of. My only fears are that earnings don't start to determine the overall quality of authors and that Steemit users start to suffer from earnings deficit depression "facebook likes style" because of high promises and expectations they get while introduced to this network. Nice article. Upvoted.
I couldn't agree with you anymore. I am just getting started on Steemit and it is very interesting with all the articles. A nice breath of fresh air compared to facebook. Do you have suggestions on using the platfrom? How to get the best out of it?
I started writing a massive comment to you in reply, I have had a few others ask me for similar advice so I decided to write a post on the topic of advice for new users.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@krystle/new-users-guide-to-steemit-etiquette-and-some-handy-tools
I hope this helps give you some ideas on where you can start :)
I absolutely agree new users need to beware and not think that steemit is a get rich quick scheme, it takes time and a lot of hard work and even then it is still an aspect of chance - especially as the platform grows.
I used to waist time on facebook now I work on steemit, I am earning to do what I love and write about what interests me - it's a new form of self employment, even if it is only a supplemental income at first.
I always stress in these posts not to think this just happened from signing up, it took a lot to get here but together here on steemit we can all succeed together.
@Krystle I was going to do a Blog about that kinda stuff , but I did not want to upset anyone so I am not sure if I will , But I def agree . I got on here because I wanted to enjoy Blogging About what I love doing :)
Hey there, I don't know why anyone would be upset by what you choose to post about - steemit is anticencorship so the worst that would happen is no one vote if they aren't interested, but I find that highly unlikely.
People tend to be attracted to those that have a passion for what they write about, I reckon do what you love - there is a massive art community here on steemit that is really well supported, jump in and give it a go you never know it could be a success.
Anyways good luck and keep at it :)
Hi @Krystle Thank you for the encouragement ::))
@krystle & @ausbitbank ... hard to know what to say... been following @ausbitbank & voted him as a Witness because @aggroed gave this recommendation to me.
UpVoted & Following You now @krystle... Thank You 4 this Post.
Congrats on Your 3D pen... Have a Good Weekend !!
Thanks so much, I know @ausbitbank appreciates the support - he's been working hard with his duties as a witness.
Have a good one :)
No worries Krystle... am happy to help either of You as best as I can...
Thanks Again 4 posting !!
No worries, always happy to share - cheers :D
Its things like this that keep me glued on this couch day after day. People like @ausbitbank really make this platform stand out.
Good luck with your kids. I would advice though to stay away from expensive treatments of autism since, right now, is more about speculation rather than science.
Steemit is so addictive, especially when you first join - I have learned a bit more self control than I had in the early days.
@ausbitbank has put so much time and effort into steemit, besides the apps he's developed - just the sheer amount of time he's invested, it's awesome to hear how he has influenced people on the platform.
Thanks our kids are little troopers, we haven't really done any treatments as such - just early intervention therapies with speech, ot and physio.
There is so much unknown in regards to Autism and so many different views on how to treat it, I am of the mindset that Autism isn't something to be cured - rather Autism is just a different way of processing and understanding the world and the things in it.
It may take time but my kids are really starting to make progress, something we had been told to prepare to never have happened - we kept our faith in their abilities and the time and effort is really beginning to pay off.
Anyways thanks so much for the comment :)
my pleasure. thank you for sharing this
No worries :)
This is so cool, congratulations Krystle.
Thanks I'm pretty stoked with it :)
Nice article. I work with Autistic children and children with other disabilities. We have a few 3D printers that kids like to use. They create 3D content through Sketchup or some other app and print out their creations. The creation component is not as interactive as a 3D pen would be, however, they get to use other technological devices and turn their creations from screen into something tangible in their hands. I hope you have as much fun with the pen as we have with the printers.
I have already lost many hours to playing with the pen, my kids got to see some of the things I have created so far and they are interested - my hopes is to be able to create things for them.
This could be a massive change for us as my kids destroy a lot of their toys by chewing them, so I am hoping to be able to repair them and even try to make some unique things just for them - I just hope it can stand up to their though love.
I'm not sure my kids are at the stage where they will be able to use it themselves, but hopefully one day we will be able to teach them how to handle things - thanks so much for the comment :)
That's great. Anything that stimulates the mind and helps them grow. I'm a real newbie to steemit and my passion (among others) is how technology can assist in education of all kids. I haven't posted much yet but would appreciate you having a look when you get a chance as a busy mum. Ops you are having a great day.
No worries I just dropped by with @ausbitbank my partner and check out your posts, you've made some promising progress over the three posts - good work keep at it.
Your layout is much better in your latest post but so you know you can center text and images by wrapping them in
We gave you a few votes and a follow, I'll try to drop by and check out your stuff again soon.
Thanks so much. Appreciate your support...
No worries, happy to help :)
Congrats,
Happy to read your post
I agree fully with you, steemit is not a get rich quick scheme, it takes time and a lot of hard work ..
Steemit "...Something more Powerful..!!" than any other social media
Yes I am sure steemit will change my world
https://steemit.com/bitcoin/@lordoftruth/steemit-something-more-powerful-usd100-cash-in-10-days-just-from-blogging
Followed
have a nice day
Thanks for the read and glad you enjoyed it, I always try to stress it's not a get rich quick scheme especially in posts like this that can attract a lot of new users - I want them to truly know what to expect from the platform and use that to their advantage.
There's no point in getting disheartened and leaving just because you didn't get rich in your first post, if this is how you approach things you're doomed to fail - steemit isn't too big on the poor me so much as the underdog that gives it their all.
Thanks so much for joining in :)
What an awesome story. @ausbitbank was one of the first people I followed when I joined steemit. One of his posts might even have been what brought me to steemit in the beginning. At any rate, he was one of the first people I connected with here and it's really great that things are starting to turn around for you guys.
Thanks so much @ausbitbank has reached out to and influenced a lot of people with his work, I know how much he has worked for this it' snot only a relief for us as a family - but I am just happy he is being recognised for just how much he has given to the platform.
It is nice to know that at least for now things are going to be a little easier for us, here's hoping it continues for a while and we can get back on our feet and finally stabilize our situation - cheers for the response.
Since joining steemit using other platforms just feels like a waste of time, there is just so much on offer here you just need to find it!
Oh what fun! XD I sense a house full of sculptures in your near future!
For sure, I have been glued to it since I got it - I can't wait to figure out what I can make with it :)
Love to you both from the US. Blessings to your family.
Thanks so much and to you and yours, we appreciate it :)
aus is a brother from another mother. So glad to work with him all the time. You've looked at @alanfreestone 's work on here? He's the first person I'd trust to treat my kids if they had autism.
I haven't personally but @ausbitbank knows about him, I will definitely check him out - cheers :)