As I prepare for the Positive Living conference in Florida later this month, I can't help but reflect on the whirlwind of emotions and challenges that have shaped my life over the past four years. This will be my first in-person conference since the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, and I am looking forward to the chance to recharge and reconnect with myself.
It's an opportunity to not only take a much-needed break but also to find a community of like-minded people who understand the struggles of the past few years.
Since the world came to a halt, I have felt isolated and alone in ways that are hard to describe. In 2020, on the same day I had to attend my mother's funeral via Zoom during a one-hour lunch break from work, I also testified before the Nevada Legislature about the urgent need to modernize our outdated HIV-specific laws on a 30 minute break at work on a day that we completed and broke a company record for 75 work orders in one day. It was a surreal and heartbreaking day that I've struggled to fully process. The trauma of experiencing such a profound personal loss while advocating for something so close to my heart on the busiest day my boss has ever had, left me emotionally drained.
I won't go into great detail about the fact that there was no thank you or congratulations from anyone outside of our coalition for the work our coalition did.
The only people who received any type of award did not even participate and were not in our coalition, they did not speak in support of the modernization efforts the day I testified before the legislature and they refused to even participate in our coalition calls because they didn't agree with how we did our work. That is how advocates like myself are treated for the work we do. Others are hateful and jealous and refuse to acknowledge our work because they think we care. We don't! I won because the law was changed to fit exactly what I wanted. They can have their awards that do nothing but collect dust.
At the time, I was also working as the volunteer coordinator at the largest open-site animal shelter in North America, a role I took on with passion and dedication. The animals and volunteers brought moments of light during an otherwise dark period, but the emotional toll of managing life, grief, and advocacy work was overwhelming. I even changed my name during this time trying to find the piece of me that I felt was missing.
I'm hoping to return home feeling rested, recharged, and ready to reconnect with the person I've been missing—myself.
Fast forward to 2023, I made the decision to move to Huntington, West Virginia, seeking a fresh start in a place where my roots run deep. While the move has been a positive step, I've found myself navigating new challenges like menopause, ADHD shutdown, and an unexpected bout of writer's block. These obstacles have made it difficult to reconnect with my creativity and passion.
That's why I'm so excited for the Positive Living conference. It's an opportunity to not only take a much-needed break but also to find a community of like-minded people who understand the struggles of the past few years. I'm hoping to return home feeling rested, recharged, and ready to reconnect with the person I've been missing—myself.
As I head into this next chapter, I'm holding onto the hope that this conference will be the turning point I need. It's time to heal, to rediscover my voice, and to move forward with renewed energy and purpose. Here's to new beginnings and the power of community in lifting each other up.
I hope you enjoy this picture of former Governor Sisolak signing our bill into law!
Thank you!
Thank you for your comment and I hope so too. It's time for a breakthrough. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your year, dear!! 💘