Meet Chelsea Buchanan of Olathe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Buchanan.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was diagnosed with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy when I was born. At the time, in 1992, there was little to no information on the disease, and how I was born led doctors to believe I’d have a short life span. I was very weak. For the first 3 years of my life, I was not hitting milestones typical for development. By age 4, I had undergone hip and reconstructive scoliosis surgery, which had a grim survival rate. Having rods put in my spine at such an early age stunted my growth. Throughout my adolescence, I experienced 5 more spinal surgeries. Although my mobility was limited when I was born, my creativity wasn’t. I always had an art to rely on.

I grew up in Olathe, Kansas, the epitome of suburbia life, where all kids participated in some sports activity. I was not a part of that club, but I was able to draw and paint. I was enrolled in art class every year through my K-12 schooling. When it came to college, I had a full-ride scholarship and decided to pursue an art degree. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I floated through life, unsure of my next move. I did always have a feeling I’d end up as a teacher. After a year of working in a salon, feeling lost, I enrolled back in school to pursue my Master’s in Education and became a certified K-12 art teacher. Working in Education has been my biggest accomplishment and something I truly enjoy doing. I work part-time at The Nerman Museum of Art, teaching youth classes. Art has always been something in my life to rely on. I don’t call myself an artist, and it’s just something that is a part of me, an extension of who I am.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Picture the absolute opposite of a smooth road. The road I’ve been driving on is one of those bumpy ones with large potholes that may or may not have messed up your car’s alignment. Think of a road with cones in the middle that construction workers left, so you almost hit a few because they got blown over in the wind. That’s the type of road I’m working with. I’ve experienced severe medical trauma from birth, resulting in several mental illnesses. I have PTSD and an anxiety disorder (or what others view as a comedian’s origin story). There have been many moments in my life when I’ve experienced depressive episodes (which is a curse but also a blessing because it means I’m very funny at parties). I have a very normal functioning brain but am limited physically (buzzkill). As a teacher, I’ve faced many roadblocks. The pandemic was terrifying because I had already experienced coronavirus in 2016 when I lost half my lung function. I’m incredibly high risk, and teaching 90+ kids increases my chances of getting sick. My career came to an abrupt halt in 2021. I requested accommodations to teach from home when in-person classes were starting again. I was met with firm resistance from my district and asked to resign if I wouldn’t return in person. This was devastating news, and I struggled with my mental health for almost a year. I was determined to get a job working with kids again, making a difference, and finding my place.

At the end of 2021, I was hired as a milieu specialist for an adolescent psychiatric facility. Unfortunately, again, I could not meet some of the physical demands and was asked to resign. The reality of my situation often is frustrating. I wish I had some uplifting, inspirational word vomit to write out. Relieving the reader after this bummer-of-a-story, I have no words of wisdom. There is a lot out of my control, but the only thing that remains in control is my ability to create, use my hands, and create whatever world I want. I work part-time at the art museum and freelance when I can. I enjoy being my boss, but the starving artist trope is real.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Picture the absolute opposite of a smooth road. The road I’ve been driving on is one of those bumpy ones with large potholes that may or may not have messed up your car’s alignment. Think of a road with cones in the middle that construction workers left, so you almost hit a few because they got blown over in the wind. That’s the type of road I’m working with. I’ve experienced severe medical trauma from birth, resulting in several mental illnesses. I have PTSD and an anxiety disorder (or what others view as a comedian’s origin story). There have been many moments in my life when I’ve experienced depressive episodes (which is a curse but also a blessing because it means I’m very funny at parties). I have a very normal functioning brain but am limited physically (buzzkill). There is a lot out of my control, but the only thing that remains in control is my ability to create, use my hands, and create whatever world I want. I work part-time at the art museum and freelance when I can. I enjoy being my boss, but the starving artist trope is real.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that you can run into someone and have an 80% chance of sharing a mutual acquaintance. The six degrees of separation are real. That is also what I like least about this city. I have traveled a lot, and although I always say I’m going to move and experience new sites, I never do. This city is home to me. In many ways, it feels like home. I may be biased because I’ve lived here almost my whole life. I am also biased because I recently visited my grandparents who lived in Las Vegas and realized that midwest manners are real. I bumped into about 4 people during my trip, and there was not one exchange of an “ope sorry!” or “let me squeeze past ya, sorry!” I was UNCOMFY. I didn’t realize how much I truly find comfort in that neutral exchange between strangers. I’m not one for small talk, I will typically choose silence rather than chit-chat, but when I am traveling, I WILL discuss the weather with you. That type of mindless exchange symbolizes familiarity when I am in a new territory or anxious. When I’m somewhere new and overstimulated, sometimes midwest manners bring me back to feeling ok.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chels_made_it
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CheesebeesMade

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