My Story
My father equipped me with the skills that I needed to make a living for myself. It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized the value of the knowledge he had provided. It was like falling in love with the girl that’s been in front of you your entire life, and all of a sudden realize that you’ve loved her all along... except it was wood, not a woman. That love was most evident when I’d see someone sit on one of our driftwood chairs and display a near palpable feeling of rest and comfort, or pick up a letter opener and caress its smooth handle as though it belonged in their hand all along. There was immense satisfaction in the knowledge that I had made something that they would love to use as much as I loved to make.
The tragedy occurred when my world went dark... literally. I was diagnosed with ‘Pigment Dispersion Glaucoma’, a debilitating condition that brought along some severe side effects, including intense light sensitivity (photophobia), and a perpetual dull ache in my head that would escalate with even mild exertion. For many years I found myself retreating into dark rooms, dreading the thought of going outside for any reason. I would have to wear welding glasses to venture anywhere beyond my dark sanctuary. I would often find myself crippled for days after thinking I was okay to push a little more and regretting it as the pain would surge.
While the love for my craft was still there, it took years to finally accumulate most of the tools that I needed to make a basic letter opener. The last piece to the puzzle was provided by my new wife, Emily, who bought me the belt sander for Christmas that I needed to my "tool kit". I spent days making one right after the other. I would rush into the house and show Emily each batch as I would grind, sand, and buff them to completion, the pain in my head throbbing all the while. It was hardly a deterrent amidst the thrill of finally being able to do what I love again.
Things took a turn for the worse when my condition escalated. For several months, I was barely able to get started on a woodworking project before having to stop to recuperate. After months of waiting, I was finally able to undergo a surgery that alleviated the bulk of my eye pain. While the pain is still present to a lesser degree, I am finally able to stir up some sawdust again. I have finally returned to making beautiful functional wooden art that people can use and enjoy. I look forward to making something that you will love!
Matthew Cummer
The tragedy occurred when my world went dark... literally. I was diagnosed with ‘Pigment Dispersion Glaucoma’, a debilitating condition that brought along some severe side effects, including intense light sensitivity (photophobia), and a perpetual dull ache in my head that would escalate with even mild exertion. For many years I found myself retreating into dark rooms, dreading the thought of going outside for any reason. I would have to wear welding glasses to venture anywhere beyond my dark sanctuary. I would often find myself crippled for days after thinking I was okay to push a little more and regretting it as the pain would surge.
While the love for my craft was still there, it took years to finally accumulate most of the tools that I needed to make a basic letter opener. The last piece to the puzzle was provided by my new wife, Emily, who bought me the belt sander for Christmas that I needed to my "tool kit". I spent days making one right after the other. I would rush into the house and show Emily each batch as I would grind, sand, and buff them to completion, the pain in my head throbbing all the while. It was hardly a deterrent amidst the thrill of finally being able to do what I love again.
Things took a turn for the worse when my condition escalated. For several months, I was barely able to get started on a woodworking project before having to stop to recuperate. After months of waiting, I was finally able to undergo a surgery that alleviated the bulk of my eye pain. While the pain is still present to a lesser degree, I am finally able to stir up some sawdust again. I have finally returned to making beautiful functional wooden art that people can use and enjoy. I look forward to making something that you will love!
Matthew Cummer