Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Gammon.
Hi Ciara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I ended up where I am today because I chose to believe that being broken was never an option. For 31 years, I’ve lived with a severe spinal injury, and I’ve been a caretaker since I was four years old. After becoming a mother at 18, I spent years fighting severe CPTSD, self-hatred, and addiction, culminating in a blackout suicide attempt at age 40.
But that was my turning point. I chose my spine, my mental health, and my family over addiction. Now, I am over five years sober, and I’ve funneled that survival instinct directly into creation.
To honor my best friend who lost his battle with mental health, I founded Chaotic Closure, Austin’s first rage room, where people break things for emotional release and turn the destruction into art. I’ve launched and operated multiple non profits dedicated to mental health, art, and horse rescue. Constantly creating is how I battle my chronic pain and maintain my strength. Today, that drive has made me a tie dye artist, an all-natural dog food and dog cake chef, a spice and coffee flavor mix creator, and a business owner. I ended up here because I value every single day I wake up, can walk, and have the ability to build.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles and challenges I faced is a tough box for me to fill because there’s so much information to put there.
To start, I’m autistic, ADHD and I have complex PTSD starting in early childhood and then throughout my entire life.
I was a caretaker for a narcissistic and addicted mother from the age of 4 until 40 when she finally lost her 12 year battle to cancer in 2021.
While being her caretaker nonstop I broke my neck at 14, became a single mother at 18, and I was medically paralyzed for two years.in 2010. At that time, I worked myself back by detoxing myself from opiate & narcotic addictions with chiropractic care with Dr. Al Richard- a man who saved my life.
And again, just over a year ago when I got stem cell injections in my spine and he saved my life once more.
I’ve had multiple suicide attempts throughout my life due to depression, anxiety, bad relationships that thankfully all failed.
Also, in 2017 my best friend lost his battle to mental health and Pain by taking his life. I opened a business called Chaotic Closure in his honor- a designated space to brake things for emotional release and then create art from the destruction.
I was the first rage room in Austin, but the timing wasn’t right for me to maintain the business..
Then 5 1/2 years ago, in a complex PTSD blackout, I drove my truck into a house trying to take my life. I do not remember any of it, but I do know that was the last time that was ever gonna happen.
Since that day, I am a different soul I’m sober. I’m happy to be alive walking and in the sunshine every day. I wake up and now I can create and share my art while taking care of the family and the critters.
Now I live everyday full of spiritual colorful chaos happily creating smiles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a tie dye artist. I make trinkets, accessories, bedding, clothing & more.
I make fresh to frozen all natural & raw dog food.
I make bone health all natural gluten free dairy free dog cakes .
I make an all natural dog shampoo for sensitive skin, also great for eczema!
I recently launched my own coffee bean flavor & a few family spice blends!
How do you define success?
Everything I create is part of my physical therapy and my mental health therapy, keeping my entire soul strong.
Success for me is seeing a final project in the hands of any excited soul whose energy lights up when they hold it or wear it immediately!!
When given the opportunity to show off my art & creations I’m also able to connect by sharing own story. I usually make someone smile, cry or sigh with relief. Hopefully helping them feel more comfortable about their own life and own stories of strength .
That is true success for my spirit.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitivechaoscreationsbycc?exln=MTkydjJncXdoYjhyaQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CFeCmQZj7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
