THE lyrics of Alanis Morissette's song Hand In My Pocket comes to mind when speaking to 55-year-old Taina Sauleca.
A single woman who lives alone, Ms Sauleca lost a leg to diabetes and uses a wheelchair for movement.
But the upbeat Lovu resident said she had "never been happier".
Diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of 2009, she had her leg amputated because of a wound that would not heal.
"Diabetes runs in our family. I have already lost two of my four sisters to it, but I remain positive and I continue to keep myself busy," she said.
Ms Sauleca was among many who attended the workshop organised by the Fiji Disabled People's Federation (FDPF) in Lautoka.
The workshop theme was 'Disability inclusiveness, disaster preparedness, and risk-reduction management'.
"Life in a wheelchair was a little difficult to get used to at first, but once I accepted it I became more independent and now I do everything on my own. I am happy. I cook, wash dishes, wash my own clothes, wheel myself to places, and live off the craft that I make." Ms Sauleca, a project officer at the Western Disabled People's Association, makes sulu (sarongs), candles, bags, fans and tie-dyes different clothing for a living.
"Although this is a volunteer position, all the tools and material are donated by the Gujarati Association, so all the profit we get to keep," she explained.
With the money she makes from these different handicraft, she pays for her rent and her monthly bills.
She sometimes sells her pieces in the clothing store Meenoos outlet in Lautoka and at workshops where she finds people interested in her work.
"I count myself lucky because I know a lot of people who are too dependent. I also own an orchid nursery at the back of my house which has 200 orchids in it," she said.