“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”

With Aunt Brenda passing and having the ability to spend time with my fellow health activists, this was already on my mind.

It’s a part of why I’ve picked up my meditation practice again and why, although I’m busy, I have more free time.

I want to change the world for the better for everyone BUT I also know that it isn’t fair to potentially neglect my loved ones in order to do so, actually thanks to Hamilton.

I’m certainly not talking less, but I am smiling more.

I’m still getting the job done, but I’m taking into account some of the things that Hamilton should have listened to.

I’m doing things in a more focused way, too, which leads to more dancing.

Anyhow, back to the telling the story bit.

I am not naive. I know that I haven’t necessarily made friends of a million people. I’m pretty inflexible where my values are concerned (especially regarding ableism, racism, sexism, classism, etc).

I’m proud of that.

I’m proud of standing up for others.

I’m proud of helping patients navigate and letting them know what physicians end up dealing with.

I’m proud of being cloyingly sweet until I’m not.

I want these things to be my legacy. I want people to recognize how important it is to stand next to your values, to advance your cause without stepping on the causes of others, to help without doing harm.

I know that I’m a hippie, but hear me out:

We as patient activists and advocates have a unique shot at being able to help both sides understand the current state of healthcare and provide motivation for change. We have the ability to erase the barriers and silos, not only in healthcare as a whole but also in our online communities.

I have a shot to make the world better, not only for patients with my illnesses but for others.