But you don't look sick....

This post isn't about cloth diapers, but since May is Ehlers-Danlos awareness month, I thought I would write a post on EDS. For those who don't know, I have EDS and 2 of my children inherited it from me. (Possibly 3, but my son hasn't been tested as he has just recently started showing symptoms and could have a milder case). Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a genetic mutation in the body that gives the body the inability to produce collagen properly, the glue that holds the body together.The body is about 80% collagen. There are 6 different types of Ehlers Danlos to date and are classified by the type of mutation and what types of the tissue they affect.

The disease is fairly rare and affect 1 out of 5,000 although these facts can be debated. Most types of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome are not fatal, however there is still a high risk of the individual unintentionally injuring themselves because the joints are lax and easily dislocated. Chronic pain can be a problem with this disease. Chronic dislocations and subluxations cause friction between bones which in turn creates inflammation and pain. Pain can be managed with an array of medications. To have a better understanding of how EDS affects the body, variations of the types are listed below:

Classic EDS.
Characterized by joint hypermobility, skin laxity, tears, bruising and fragility. The skin be stretched beyond that of an unaffected person. Also has a velvety feel to it and can be easily bruised and/or torn. Scoliosis is also common with this type of EDS. Is an autosomal dominant genetic trait.

Hyper-mobility Type
Characterized by severly lax joints, chronic dislocations, subluxations, and lax skin. Is an inherited autosomal dominant genetics trait.

Vascular EDS (Arterial Form)
Characterized by weak collegen bonds in the vascular system and in the organs such as the bowel and stomach. Also at birth, club foot, and hip dislocations can be presented. Veins are visbile through the skin This type of EDS can be life threating due to the fact that if a bowel or an artery ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding, sepsis and if untreated, death. There can also be minor to severe joint laxity and complications. Is an autosonal dominant genetic trait.

Kyphoscoliosis type
Characterized by fragile globes in the eyes, skin and joint laxity, and severe scoliosis, also known as a curvature of the spine. Is an autosomal recessive trait.

Arthrochalsia type
Patients with this type of EDS are often short in stature, and are severely affected by joint and skin laxity. A skin biopsy can help determine diagnosis. Is both autosomal recessive and dominant genetic trait.

Dermatosparaxis type
Characterized by severe skin laxity, sagging, stretching, and folding.

Some other conditions that are associated with EDS are Fibromyalgia, Celiac Disease, Migraines, Circulation and Temperature problems, and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, also known as POTS.

We are not freaks, or any different than the "normal" person. We are just more flexible, fragile, and in pain all the time. At lastly, EDS does not stand for Erectile Dysfunction Syndrome. :p

The pic is of the first of 6 finger stabilizers that I am being fitted with for some joints that have been giving me issues, (hello putting snaps on all of those Ultras! LOL)  I also have been gradually sourcing out my products as I just cannot keep up with the production of everything myself anymore, and it is extremely bad for my hands and fingers to keep trying to do it all myself. (Basically Hubs is forcing me to take it a little easier on myself, which is VERY hard for a type A personality control freak do it yourself-er like me!!) : But rest assured that every Blissful Booty item is still made with my patterns and designs and is inspected by me before it is packaged and sent out. I am still very "hands on" and will continue to uphold the integrity and quality of all Blissful Booty products! I hope you all will continue to support Blissful Booty as we grow!! <3 I appreciate your business and I hope to continue to create great products to share will you all!!
I am trying to put together a fund raiser of some type for EDS Awareness and Research. I will update when I have put something together.

<3
Cathy

Earth Day Sale!

Hey Everyone,
In honor of Earth Day we are having a sale at Blissful Booty Boutique! www.shop.blissfulbooty.com If you buy a Blissful Booty Diaper, you get a Blissful Booty Booster for free! If you buy a 4 oz bottle or a 4 pack/1 oz bottles of Wipe Water, you get a 6 oz spray bottle for free! We are also offering Free Shipping to all US and Canada orders! Ends Wednesday April 27th! Use code freeship, the free items will be added to your order upon packing! Our cool new Cloth Diapering Bumper Stickers are also now available!
Also I am very excited to announce our new line of Natural Body Products for Mama and Baby to be added to the store next week! In addition to our Wipe Water Concentrate, we are adding Blissful  Booty Baby Wash and Baby Lotion, both in a handy pump and packaged in our beautiful cobalt blue bottles. Also for Mamas we have Natural Body Mist, Shower & Bath Gel, Goats Milk Creme Body Moisturizer, and Turbinado Sugar Body Polish. Our entire Body Line will be available in any of our amazing scents!

Welcome! A little bit about us....

Thanks for visiting the Blissful Booty Buzz! After being prompted by some friends I have decided to start a blog to allow everyone to easily keep up with what is happening in the Blissful Booty Camp! I figured I would start with a post about me and my family and how we started Blissful Booty. I am Cathy, the owner and operator, designer and marketer, wholesaler and retailer. Yep, I do pretty much all of it. :p I am 44 years old, married to my husband John who is a software engineer (computer nerd) with 4 kids ages 25, 18, 12, and 5. I also have a beautiful 3 year old grand-daughter. More on the family later. :)  I am a former Director of Operations of a Financial Company. I began sewing and designing my AIO diapers in 2006 after the birth of my youngest daughter Kaia in August of 2005. She was born premature, with a congenital heart defect, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, (which she and my oldest daughter both inherited from me) and VERY sensitive skin.

Kaia, or as I like to call her "the muse" :)

First inner casings!

Early designs

She was unable to wear any of the disposable diapers so I began making diapers for her.  I studied the look and features of the disposable that I liked best and began sewing them out of different types of cloth. I also began making them for friends that were having babies and they, along with my husband John urged me to expand and produce them to sell to other parents because they loved them so much.  So finally after leaving my job in Finance, I decided to just go for it haven't looked back!! Although at times I will say it has been quite a struggle! I am extremely excited that my products are being so well received and it makes all the hard work, sleepless nights and gray hairs worth it! I am hoping to have other guest bloggers that are probably MUCH better writers than I to share with you here on my blog. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will continue to follow along! <3

 Cathy