July Birthdays

2nd - Athena K.

6th - Jon M. / Jennifer S.

7th - Oscar T.

9th- Shannon R.

12th- Sharon S. 

16th - Brenda W.

17th - Thomas (TJ) N. / Jayla P.

19th- Karen H.

21st - Kristen D.

22nd - Alisha H. / Nitia G. 

23rd - Dawn G.

29th - Sharon F.

30th - Erika S. 

When People Think I'm Fine... [submission by A.B.M.]

 November 29th, 2021

I hold a pen above the paper, confounded by the lack of creativity stemming from my mind. Every thought and feeling has become so censored, it is as though I've become numb. Like a limb has lost circulation, and you feel cut off from everything out of nowhere... I watch the sun reflect off the metal clip on my pen, staring absurdly at the light rainbow which appears on the wall and paper. I look around, a stranger amongst odd surroundings. Will I ever get my footing in this world? Is there really a point?

-Alanda. 

An Experience of the Mental Health System... {Please share yours in the comments!}

 I come off to people never the way I intend. However, having been called "combative" for using direct quotes seems beyond ridiculous. Yes, I am a defiant and oppositional person - mostly because I think for myself rather than rolling over for everyone else's beliefs. 

Needless to say, this is the kind of thing which triggered one hell of a deep-seated rage. I promise when I get combative in truth rather than your misconceptions and judgements - I'm not hiding behind notes and writing. I get in your face and am quite vocal. 

What is the point of this post, you may wonder. Simple. I shouldn't have to defend my O.D.D., Anxiety, A.D.H.D., and Autism to people who are supposed to be experts in the field of mental health! 

Now that I've ranted a little and gotten that out of my system - the comment section is open for more experiences to be shared. The truth needs to be shared for it to be corrected. 

Wishing you all a better day,

~*A.L.M.*~

May & June Birthdays!

 May 1st - Adam W.

May 3rd - Alanda M.

May 4th - Carole B.

May 6th - Kendra H.

May 7th - Rowan C.

June 5th - Amanda W.

June 17th - Thomas N.

June 19th - Mary H.

June 25th - Richard P.

Welcoming an end to Spring with a beautiful start to Summer!

April Birthdays - [Better Late Than Never]

 April Birthdays... 

1st - Jackie F.

4th - Amanda S.

11th - Rhys M...

13th - Savanna W.

16th - Melody D. Sarah T. Mike P.

20th - Maria S.

22nd - James T. Cameron B. Liz R. 

Apologies for February & March Birthdays :):

 Apologies for February & March birthdays not getting posted this year. There weren't any submitted to post. We suppose it's been a chaotic time for our readers as much as for our writers.

We wish you all health and happiness during this holiday season.

"Obesity due to Anxiety..." By: A.L.M.*

[Welcome to February of 2022, everybody. I promise this won't be about Valentine's Day, though. I originally posted this on my Personal Blog but decided to have this posted on here as well since the physical problem stems from some of my mental health issues.] 

I've had many signs that my already fragile health has been in decline since the pandemic started. I have not gone to see my doctor, however, due to the obvious risk of getting CoVid19 in route. As a pedestrian, I walk and take the bus everywhere I go. This usually doesn't bother me, but the more I tried to get things done this way during this issue, the more uncaring imbeciles I would encounter. Knowing how little our society cares about this very real problem is more than enough to have me embracing my inner hermit. 

The worse I got, the more clear everything became. I read an article where a man having heart problems was denied from over 40 hospitals, eventually ending in his death, due to every hospital being filled with Covid19 patients. It doesn't surprise me that our local hospitals are having the same issue. 

So it isn't really surprising that I went into denial every time my chest started hurting or I couldn't breathe. There are a number of people who'll read this and say, "Maybe it's a panic attack?!" I assure you, as I've had anxiety attacks from the age of 8 years old, I know the difference. 

I take my medicine as prescribed, and my vitamins if things get too bad, but today a new revelation occurred. Now, I've been a bit overweight ever since puberty hit me when I was 10. I became obese somewhere in high school. I've been battling this weight issue for over 20 years. Nothing works because part of it was originally due to my mental health. However, these past few years have definitely made things worse. 

On December 4th I discovered my weight is up to 332 pounds. This is the heaviest I have ever been, including my 2 pregnancies. Was I upset? Absolutely. I have no idea if I've lost or gained since then. I do know my clothes still fit, though...

This said, today was a new revelation. I knew I had gained a lot of weight, specifically in my torso, but I had no idea how bad it really was. I took one of my antacids, as I do when my heartburn and indigestion occurs, only to nearly choke on it. It lodged in my throat because I got distracted and tried to take it like I would my vitamins. My mother was kind enough to perform the Heimlich maneuver about 7 times before she gave up and handed me orange juice instead. I'm too big to properly Heimlich. This is a new low and a new nightmare bringing about a bunch of added anxieties I definitely don't need in my life. 

I realize this isn't helpful in any way, but I have been trying to get back into shape. However, when you have 56DD breasts and asthma on top of being over 30 with all the pain and disfunction that number adds to an already messed up body - is it any wonder I'm having difficulty?

Lazy Girl workouts have been added to my daily life, but having a 5 year old jump on my spine does not encourage me to do much. I had a workout buddy before the pandemic, but this solitude has not been helpful in this tiny hotel room. Have a wonderful day!

*Requested Initials rather than full-name disclosure.*