RadicalRNAdvocate

• Blending my experiences as a RN and a patient to not only advocate for my community but educate my fellow medical professionals.

My Background with Disability and Neurodiversity.

When I became a nurse over 12 years ago I never imagined I would also become quite the patient as well. At the time the worst of my conditions were Anxiety and Depression. Well that I knew of anyway.

Then, when I was 27 years old, I stopped having a period, I became lethargic, and my brain was just not working well. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, Hypothyroidism, and Early Menopause during that year.

My body was so upset, there is no real medical way to describe it. My body was pissed. I broke out in Hives multiple times, Dyshidrotic Eczema, and belly bloating, and I was perpetually exhausted.

Since then, my health has had a domino effect, and not in the way I would have imagined or liked. I have developed other conditions, and my independence has profoundly decreased. Despite this, a new level of clarity came to me about my mental health and why it has always been hard for me to function, even prior to my health crisis. I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autistic in 2022.

I was also re-evaluated by specialists in 2023 to confirm the diagnoses and that I was getting the right treatments and accommodations. To my surprise, I did have the right diagnosis. Sadly, even with a proper diagnosis, accommodations and support (outside my family) are slim to none at the time I wrote this.

All through this process, I have been challenged to see the beauty, the misogyny, the advancements, the racism, the caring, and the ableism within the Western medicine system.

Which brings us to this current moment.

This moment has been a long time coming; I have wanted to use my experience to help other disabled and/or Neurodivergent folks self-advocate for themselves. While also allowing clinicians to come to me to ask questions and to be educated on how to better serve the community I am so proud to be a part of.

Update 4/28/26

I have continued my advocay efforts both for myself and for others. I have written a dozen or more blogs for Bened Life, with the goal of supporting Neurodivergent adults and their holistic wellness.

I also have continued to struggle with my health, causing me to not be able to work enough to function within our capitalistic society. I have faced internalized ableism so many times and my understanding of disability justice and pride continue to grow.

I have also watched a genocide play out on my computer screen as Israel soldiers massacre Palestinians. I have read about the Genocide in the Congo, about the child labor that brings us our phones and other devices. I have read about America’s history and how white supremacy created and still sustains so much of our government.

Donald Trump is yet again the President. RFK Jr. is in charge of HHS. Vaccine research is being withheld, cuts to Medicaid and Medicare have happened with more planned, subsidies for insurance on the Affordable Care Act disappeared, and so much of our health care system is falling into even worse chaos.

If you are coming to my page for the first time and are reading this Cliff Notes version of my life and the current crises occurring in the USA, thank you for caring about Neurodivergent, Disabled, Chronically Ill, and just unique humans. In a time where we are being devalued more and more, you showing up means so much.

If you are a community member, please know you have value. That you are so amazing and welcome here. If you are looking for specific information and cannot find it here, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to talk and see if I know of anything that could help you.