Original work from our Writers, Guest Bloggers and Freelancers
As time started to go by as I circled the garage I began to feel helpless. I thought back to my grandmother who died as my family drove from the airport to the hospital she was staying at, missing her death by approximately fifteen minutes. It was in the cocoon of my rental car that I began to confront the deep grief inside myself as tears of self pity, tears of anger, sadness, and frustration began to pour out.
I believe that functioning in this world includes the ability to get up every morning. In the life of an untreated, mentally ill person (or a person who has just begun treatment and hasn’t found the proper medication yet), this can be impossible. Some days can be easier than others, but I believe that every day should find a person able to get out of bed, whether they want to or not.
My hope is placed in Jesus, not in the doctors. Therefore I am not disappointed when a doctor has no answer for me, because if my hope is in Jesus then I can’t be disappointed. Instead I trust that He knows exactly what’s happening so I have no need to worry.
This production features both deaf and hearing actors, super titles for some more intricate exchanges, and interpreters as needed for audience members. The concept that Sawyer and Bauer have concocted involves more than just comprehension; they want to immerse every person in the history, culture and stigmas of deafness.
The thoughts and fears that are easily ignored in the brightness of sunshine are waiting for you under the cover of darkness, lurking in shadowy corners, poised to strike. There’s nowhere for you to hide, and so you must suffer in silence, on your back, in your bed, staring at the ceiling with wide, itchy eyes.
Born with a chronic gastrointestinal (stomach) disease I was constantly fighting a daily battle to keep my spirits up and not succumb to the thoughts and emotions that always threatened to overwhelm me. Texting was like a lifeline for me. It made me realize I wasn’t alone and there were people out there who loved and cared for me.
As I've progressed through this disease I've come to learn many different things, things that no one told me to expect. Things that have shocked me and shaken me to my core, but through all these things I've grown stronger as a person and that is the reason I am who I am now. So I thought I'd take a minute and share some of things with you, in case you too are struggling with a chronic disease, so that you can use the information to better your life.
Although the switch of terms was a positive move toward the future, gender dysphoria still negatively affects many people worldwide. People that experience gender dysphoria have higher rates of mental illness that include: mood/anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse and suicide attempts.
Before I realized I had social anxiety, I just called it “being embarrassed”. Suddenly, for a reason I couldn’t figure out, things that I had no problem doing before were now shameful or humiliating to me. I was too “embarrassed” to order fast food. I was too “embarrassed” to go into a store and buy clothes. I was too “embarrassed” to make phone calls to people outside of my family.
After I received the G-J tube I spent about a month in the hospital. I was released, but returned a week later for dehydration. The next stay also lasted a month. I was out of the hospital for about four months and was then readmitted that January. When I was released the first week of February I thought my hospital stays were over, but sadly I was once again admitted about a week later. As I mentioned above I was heart broken and didn't want to see another hospital room, but I reluctantly agreed to the admission.
