Humans of Cleveland
Photo by Peri McIntosh
Last week while we were on the hunt for more "humans", we stopped by HyderHangout, a fabric and craft store on 1st Street. There we had the privilege of meeting Audrey Goodwin, a part-time employee who's positive outlook and passion for life truly touched us. Normally for Humans of Cleveland we like to showcase a few different individuals per post, but Audrey's story was so inspiring we felt it deserved its own stand-alone entry.
Audrey Goodwin, HyderHangout
"I used to be a bookkeeper for a painting contractor, and I was unknowingly breathing in the chemicals the guys left open in in the warehouse. They wore respirators to spray the buildings, but the same chemicals that they protected themselves from they left open, and it came in through the ventilation system. I was the office manager, so I was sitting in the office breathing it in, six days a week, 10 hours a day, for eight years. I was chemically poisoned by my own workplace. One day there was a trigger, I think it was a diesel exhaust, and I collapsed. That was the beginning. My doctor diagnosed me with MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and it got worse from there - I would get sick when I would wash my clothes or just from walking by a swimming pool. In 2008 I became totally disabled and had to wear the respirator all the time. I can't work full time because I don't have the energy. After this week I'll probably go into a cocoon for a few days until I can get some energy back, because its very exhausting."
"How did you end up quilting here?"
"I met Susan, the owner, and she was just so gracious. She didn't single me out because of my respirator, she just acted like I was anybody else and we chatted and talked for hours. I had always loved embroidery; its a hobby of mine. She needed some embroidery done and I needed to get out of the house, and so we just meshed. I had always wanted to learn how to quilt, and now I had the opportunity. I have to wear gloves so I don't touch the chemicals in the fabric, but I don't mind."
"You seem like a go-getter."
"Oh, I am. I could choose to stay home and do nothing or I could accept it and go on, which is what I do. I choose not to vegetate - that's not my thing. I've always been a mover-shaker, always. See that jeep out there? That's mine, and if the clouds weren't coming in it would have all of its doors off. I just go. I don't let it slow me down. This too shall pass, you know? I have my bad days, but I just don't whine about it. There are too many people who do that."
When we asked if she would be comfortable having her photo taken, she lit up, happy to oblige.
"I know you can't see it, but I'm smiling. Cheese!"
