I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010 with all the therapy I went through I was at the lowest of my life. Like most of us during that time, I loved watching YouTube videos of crafts and craft ideas. I made stuffed animals, blankets and costumes for my children but I mostly loved making dolls for my daughter. Then, I found reborn baby dolls. I bought all my supplies and doll kits and away I went. I couldn’t afford those fancy ovens so I used a toaster oven and had to somehow Tetris the doll limbs to fit. In short, making these dolls were not only my therapy but they brought out a confidence in me that I could do something on my own since my diagnosis.

Fast forward to 2019.

I spent 2 years planning an international doll event, the first one in Canada. My intentions were to have a show space for new artists and Canadians who couldn’t get to the larger shows.

My family and investors contributed thousands of dollars, man hours because we believed this would be a good start to Canada. That’s what we thought.

I didn’t know anyone in the doll world. I was warned how nasty the community could be but I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe in a world full of therapy and happiness they would have the teeth as sharp and evil as the Devil.

The show had good and bad. Vendors who flaked and those who stayed until the end. I’ve heard praise during and at the end from people who appreciated our efforts with encouragement that no matter what happens, to hold another show. I was horribly surprised that mothers and fellow artists could be so cruel. The authorities are involved now because a choice few have taken it to a whole new and dangerous level. I can’t understand how women could preach anti bullying with their children yet perpetuate it online towards other people. Targeted harassment, slander and defamation is the name of the game and it’s a sad day that I am witnessing it all in 2019.

The witch-hunt for proof of “scamming” and fraud has not and will not result in any wrong doing. Perhaps people don’t believe that something and some people are simply just good with good intentions.

I can preach through as many blogs, vlogs, podcasts as I can but the damage that has been done to innocent people is unforgivable and illegal. With their pitchforks and gnashing teeth ready to pounce on the kind and innocence of good people has left me disgusted and my eyes are now wide opened to reasons why social media has policies in place and why I’ve been warned so many times. This is no different from any other proverbial witch-hunt the only difference is the year. I never expected to be accepted in the doll world because I don’t follow their rules. I don’t blindly follow the crowd..

My family and friends have been hurt from all of this. The only thing they wanted was for me to see my dream come true before I had to take a life threatening treatment for my MS. If it was the last thing I’d see, they wanted it to succeed and they did everything to make it happen. I am so happy I got to share my dream with these beautiful people in my life, they sacrificed time, effort, money they all laughed with me, cried with me they refused to let me quit… because of their love for me, they didn’t want to tell me about how horribly they were being treated. They wanted me to heal and for 2 weeks they shouldered all the negativity, lies and bullying for me. Those are the people who matter to me right now.

Dolls have no feelings, people do.