Hi, y’all! I’m Rea, a Southern chronic illness girly, and this is my story.

I’m a 34-year-old who was born and raised in East Tennessee (Dolly Parton country!). I had a normal upbringing with loving parents and four older brothers. We never had a lot of money growing up, but we sure had a lot of love.

I was an active kid—always outside playing with my cousins and friends. I loved riding my bike, skating, swimming, and jumping on our trampoline. But when I was inside, I loved to craft. I got into scrapbooking when I was around 13 years old. It was a wonderful way for me to express myself, and I loved using whatever I could find to tell a visual story.

Scrapbooking became not only a creative outlet, but also a way for me to escape into a world where I didn’t have to worry about my health. My troubles began when I was about 17. I started having pain in my elbows, hands, and back. I went to doctor after doctor, but no one could tell me what was wrong. In 2014, I was misdiagnosed with osteoarthritis and was told there was nothing they could do for me.

But the pain kept getting worse, and I was constantly sick. Over the years, I became more and more of a recluse. I hardly ever saw my family or friends because it hurt too much to go outside or do much of anything. Simple tasks like taking a shower, cooking food, or even getting dressed became monumental challenges.

In 2022, my health worsened significantly, and I was taken to UT Hospital, where they treated me for severe anemia. I received a blood transfusion, and for the next month I was sent to the UT Cancer Center every week for bloodwork. It wasn’t until 2023 that I finally received the correct diagnosis: Rheumatoid Arthritis with Felty’s Syndrome. Felty’s is a rare condition that only about 1% of people with RA develop, and it mimics the symptoms of leukemia—which is what doctors initially thought I had. Praise God, they were wrong.

I battle my chronic illness daily, and because of my RA, I’ve been forced to stop working. I’m currently living on a fixed income, and during that time I decided to combine my love of scrapbooking and digital art into a business. That’s how A Rea of Treasures was born.

I owe my life and all of my success to God. He is the reason I have the strength and ability to do what I do. He is my everything, and anything good you see here comes from Him.

Today, I live with my mom and my cat in a small apartment. My health can still be a struggle, but with God’s help I take things one day at a time. I cherish my life, my family, my church family, and my friends, and I feel incredibly blessed.

I hope you’ll join me on this creative journey as we explore creativity, inspiration, and all the beautiful gifts God has given us.