Weaving Together Inclusivity, Awareness, and Action at Wool + Wander

The COVID pandemic changed everyone’s life in some way or another, and for many people, COVID led to a diagnosis of the misunderstood disability, Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Tina Yesenofski was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2020 after an assumed infection of COVID-19. ME/CFS occurs in individuals after a viral infection and causes neurological functioning changes and debilitating pain, as well as other symptoms. In fact, 75% of those with ME/CFS are unable to work, and only 5% are ever cured. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments or cures, and it is estimated that approximately 5 to 9 million Americans are living with this disability, just like Tina.

Tina and I connected on Instagram, through a web of common acquaintances. I fell in love with her business and Etsy shop, Wool + Wander, due to her intricate crochet designs and promise to sustainability. My Grandmom was a master crocheter throughout her life, so the art of crochet touches my soul and fills my heart with joy. When I told Tina that, she explained that her grandmother was an important part of her learning the art of crochet. Kindred spirits!

Tina began Wool + Wander after she realized that her pre-diagnosis job was not sustainable for the struggles she endures each day. In addition to employment, Tina had to abandon many forms of art due to her chronic pain and fatigue, like playing her ukulele and painting. 

“Because of the diseases that I have, crochet became one type of art I could create while being reclined,” she said. “I had to be creative with how I could make things for hours a day without putting me in a worse physical state. Crochet kind of just fell into my lap.” 

Coming to terms with a complete life change has not been easy for Tina. (Unfortunately, the suicide rate for those living with ME/CFS is extremely high.)  “The world is not so pretty—I can’t do everything, and this is one thing that I can do.” 

The support Tina receives from her family, partner, and friends has helped her overcome the struggles she endures regularly. Through local craft fairs, vendor expositions, and her successful Etsy shop, Tina has been able to create a new business for herself, and forge a new path for her future. Not only is Tina supporting herself through Wool + Wander, but she is also contributing to a cause that is fighting for answers to many multi-system chronic, and complex diseases. 

“Because there is so little research for the diseases that I have, I decided that I had to give back somehow. I give 10% back of everything I sell to Open Medicine Foundation.” 

Open Medicine Foundation focuses on funding research to improve the overall health of those suffering from diseases such as ME/CFS, Long Covid, and Post-Treatment Lyme Disease. In addition to donating 10% of her proceeds to Open Medicine Foundation, Tina supports sustainability in her business. For example, she uses local, hand-dyed yarn, as well as organic and recycled cotton to help decrease the carbon footprint of the textile industry. 

What I found to be the most eye-opening, is that Tina now suffers from sensory processing issues. Many of her experiences with sensory processing mirror those of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, or other sensory sensitivities. Tina described how loud noise is painful, touch can be overstimulating, and being in a large crowd for long periods of time contributes to sensory and cognitive exhaustion. Many of her coping skills with sensory processing are similar to those of my son. I saw the relief in Tina when I told her that while I cannot truly “get it,” I understand in the way I understand the struggles of my son. 

That’s the importance of building connections—finding those in the world who can understand us. Tina is weaving connections through her love of crochet, and her passion in helping others who are struggling with rare diseases like ME/CFS. Her one piece of information she wants the world to know: “If there was one thing for people to understand, there are 17 to 24  million people suffering from this in the world.” 

You can support Tina, and countless others, by purchasing from Wool + Wander.

To find out more information on ME/CFS, use the following resources provided by Tina:

Solve ME/CFS Initiative – a research and advocacy organization dedicated to ME/CFS– Tina contributed as a Lived Experience Taskforce member for them.

#MEAction – an international network of patients fighting for health equality for ME

Unrest – a Sundance documentary winner by Jennifer Brea, an ME/CFS patient

Open Medicine Foundation – a charity focused on funding collaborate research for treatment of multi-system chronic complex diseases (msCCD)