AJ Blair
Veteran
My name is AJ Blair and I solve Rubik's cubes, even when they cause me pain.
I was born with a genetic skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex or EBS.
EBS causes my skin to blister much easier than most peoples. Whether it be from wearing shoes and walking too long or holding a pencil and writing too much, my skin will break out into blisters, primarily on my hands and feet.
As a result of EBS, I spent much of my childhood into early adulthood at home, missing many days of school because it just hurt too much to stand, let alone walk to the bus to make it to school that day. By missing so much school, I did not always have the ability to be socially active or to make and maintain friendships. I was very quiet and shy around those my age until I attended my first Rubik's Cube competition in 2009. It was at this competition that I met people who were academically minded like me and understood the way I spoke and the jokes I made. They made me feel at home and still do to this day.
Speedcubing is more than just a hobby for me, it's even more than a passion; it's become a lifestyle. If it were possible for me to make a living off of cubing, it's all I would do night and day. Even though I may blister from practicing too much, speedcubing is most certainly the thing that I am best at and what I enjoy doing the most, so I endure the pain.
As a result of just graduating from college and not yet having found a job in my field, I cannot afford to attend this years National Championship in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I am reaching out to anyone and everyone that I can to make it this year.
Speedsolving has given me social skills I was lacking, it has given me friends that I doubt I will ever lose contact with, and it's given me self-confidence in my abilities to do whatever I set my mind to.
With all of that said, I have launched a gofundme, in the hopes of maybe making more friends and continuing to grow: http://www.gofundme.com/AJRubiks (Warning: Pictures of my wounds are included, so those who may have a problem with that should either avoid clicking or scroll really fast when the page loads.)
Anything would help, honestly, and I would be eternally grateful for any and all assistance.
I was born with a genetic skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex or EBS.
EBS causes my skin to blister much easier than most peoples. Whether it be from wearing shoes and walking too long or holding a pencil and writing too much, my skin will break out into blisters, primarily on my hands and feet.
As a result of EBS, I spent much of my childhood into early adulthood at home, missing many days of school because it just hurt too much to stand, let alone walk to the bus to make it to school that day. By missing so much school, I did not always have the ability to be socially active or to make and maintain friendships. I was very quiet and shy around those my age until I attended my first Rubik's Cube competition in 2009. It was at this competition that I met people who were academically minded like me and understood the way I spoke and the jokes I made. They made me feel at home and still do to this day.
Speedcubing is more than just a hobby for me, it's even more than a passion; it's become a lifestyle. If it were possible for me to make a living off of cubing, it's all I would do night and day. Even though I may blister from practicing too much, speedcubing is most certainly the thing that I am best at and what I enjoy doing the most, so I endure the pain.
As a result of just graduating from college and not yet having found a job in my field, I cannot afford to attend this years National Championship in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I am reaching out to anyone and everyone that I can to make it this year.
Speedsolving has given me social skills I was lacking, it has given me friends that I doubt I will ever lose contact with, and it's given me self-confidence in my abilities to do whatever I set my mind to.
With all of that said, I have launched a gofundme, in the hopes of maybe making more friends and continuing to grow: http://www.gofundme.com/AJRubiks (Warning: Pictures of my wounds are included, so those who may have a problem with that should either avoid clicking or scroll really fast when the page loads.)
Anything would help, honestly, and I would be eternally grateful for any and all assistance.
