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Gonna hop on the nope-train to Fuck That Station
Before I jump into what's been going on with me over the last month, I have something I'd like to share with you all regarding those "migraine glasses" I wrote about a few entries ago (i.e. precision-tinted FL-41 lenses). I was hoping to be able to get the money together on my own to try them, but it hasn't worked out that way. I really, really want to try them, because light is one of my biggest migraine triggers (particularly fluorescents), and it often hurts even if I don't actively have a migraine. And because the studies that have been done with them look pretty promising. Basically, I'm tired of being in pain when there's the possibility of (albeit limited) relief. I realize I have other triggers too, but light is a huge one, and one of the most unavoidable as fluorescent lighting is found pretty much everywhere. So I've started a fundraiser to gather together the necessary funds for me to get a pair, and I'm trying to turn the results over as they're out of my control. I already shared the link at Facebook, and so far I've gotten one super-appreciated donation, but no one else has given even five bucks, nor have they shared the link, which I also asked people to do. I'm hoping maybe some people just haven't checked their feed in the last day or so, and that more will help as the week progresses. But if you're reading this right now & you have time, please take a look at the link below & read my description of the issue, then donate anything at all that you can afford, whether it be $10 or $100. And regardless of whether you can donate, sharing the link to others would be just as helpful. I really want to get the word out so I can receive as much help as possible. (So far I have $50, which leaves $180.)
Anyway, here's the link: Help Rachael Fight Chronic Migraine
In other news, I have a few other things to quickly cover:
-The review of my SSDI has been completed, and they decided my disability is continuing. So for now at least I am safe, and incredibly relieved.
-My volunteer position at the homeless shelter has been taken away due to issues with space, but I have been trying to increase my service to the community in other ways as well. For one, I traded in my position as greeter at my home NA group in exchange for becoming secretary -- the person responsible for setting up the meeting & running it. I'm also going to begin facilitating the dbsa group I attend on the 4th Monday of every month. Both of these things would've felt way too overwhelming & intimidating to me a year ago, so I'm proud of myself for seeking out & accepting that responsibility. It makes me feel like I'm growing as a person, even if it's happening so subtly that I generally can't see it on my own. Eventually I also plan on inquiring about volunteer opportunities at the Q Center (the lgbtq+ center where I go for my NA meeting & DBSA group), but some of that depends on how many hours they would expect, how flexible the shifts would be (in case I get a migraine), and whether I'm able to get those glasses.
-In other exciting recovery news, I'm going to do a speaker's meeting on 3/25/18, which means I will go up in front of what should be a decent-sized audience & tell my story. I've already written what I'm going to say, and it'll probably be about 20 minutes long. Because it's me we're talking about, that was of course my struggle -- just trying to get it under 20 minutes. I'm pretty pleased with what I've written though, and I'm looking forward to having the chance to share it with others. I might post it here too, if anyone is interested in reading it.
-The six-year anniversary of my mom's death will be this month (on the 27th), and that's been weighing heavily on my mind & heart this week. It doesn't help that I've also been on my period, but yeah, my emotions have been very intense. I would say I hope it won't be like this for the entire month, but I sort of know better than that by now.
-They're going to be offering a new 6-week-long course on emotional regulation & stress management where I go for counseling, and I'm planning on attending it if they still have space. I figure I could always use more skills in that department.
Anyhoozle, that's pretty much it this time. Again, please take just a moment to follow the link above, donate what you can, and/or share it with others!
Anyway, here's the link: Help Rachael Fight Chronic Migraine
In other news, I have a few other things to quickly cover:
-The review of my SSDI has been completed, and they decided my disability is continuing. So for now at least I am safe, and incredibly relieved.
-My volunteer position at the homeless shelter has been taken away due to issues with space, but I have been trying to increase my service to the community in other ways as well. For one, I traded in my position as greeter at my home NA group in exchange for becoming secretary -- the person responsible for setting up the meeting & running it. I'm also going to begin facilitating the dbsa group I attend on the 4th Monday of every month. Both of these things would've felt way too overwhelming & intimidating to me a year ago, so I'm proud of myself for seeking out & accepting that responsibility. It makes me feel like I'm growing as a person, even if it's happening so subtly that I generally can't see it on my own. Eventually I also plan on inquiring about volunteer opportunities at the Q Center (the lgbtq+ center where I go for my NA meeting & DBSA group), but some of that depends on how many hours they would expect, how flexible the shifts would be (in case I get a migraine), and whether I'm able to get those glasses.
-In other exciting recovery news, I'm going to do a speaker's meeting on 3/25/18, which means I will go up in front of what should be a decent-sized audience & tell my story. I've already written what I'm going to say, and it'll probably be about 20 minutes long. Because it's me we're talking about, that was of course my struggle -- just trying to get it under 20 minutes. I'm pretty pleased with what I've written though, and I'm looking forward to having the chance to share it with others. I might post it here too, if anyone is interested in reading it.
-The six-year anniversary of my mom's death will be this month (on the 27th), and that's been weighing heavily on my mind & heart this week. It doesn't help that I've also been on my period, but yeah, my emotions have been very intense. I would say I hope it won't be like this for the entire month, but I sort of know better than that by now.
-They're going to be offering a new 6-week-long course on emotional regulation & stress management where I go for counseling, and I'm planning on attending it if they still have space. I figure I could always use more skills in that department.
Anyhoozle, that's pretty much it this time. Again, please take just a moment to follow the link above, donate what you can, and/or share it with others!