Hello Mr Elevard...

They’re made by an autistic artist, and he uses allergy friendly materials and eco friendly packaging.

I love the bison and trash panda but I’m eying the raven and otter and skunk and I may need a whole collection.

I don’t know if I can read this without getting sick to my stomach. But I’m going to try. This is the updated version.

Why do I walk the Overnight? I walk for myself and my own mental health struggles. I walk for those I’ve lost. I walk for those who struggle.

In 2005 three friends/coworkers were at a stoplight on a seemingly normal Thursday lunch break. A young woman with mental health struggles drove her car an estimated 80mph into the back of Michael’s stopped car. Michael, John, and Doug didn’t make it. She did. And she spent four years in prison. I don’t hate her. I feel sorry for her, because she has to live with her own actions.

I often think what if she had access to resources? What if she had access to therapy or medication? What if resources were free or at least affordable?

This is why I lobbied for the 988 number. This is why I raise funds for the AFSP to help them provide mental health resources. This is why I’m walking the Overnight. You can think you’re doing great, but you don’t know what others are going through. You can’t control their actions, which can impact you. So I believe we all need to support mental health resources for everyone.

Some of us were raised to believe “it takes a village”, and I still believe in that. So I’m raising funds and walking the Overnight for YOU, whether you think you need it or not.

I went back to the pharmacy at their request only to be told the second med did not come in as expected. I asked why and they read the official statement they’re allowed to say. They claim it’s due to a sudden spike in demand because the FDA lifted warnings on HRT. I called bullshit immediately because the FDA did that in 2021 so it didn’t take 5 years to suddenly spike right now*.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the primary audience being affected are menopausal women and trans women. You know, the women who can’t make babies. We’re not as valuable right? We don’t deserve to function properly right?

Before HRT I was dizzy 100% of the time, and had extreme vertigo spells a few times a day. My short term memory was gone and I had to write everything down or it was lost immediately. That made work difficult and driving dangerous. I was constantly pouring sweat from a nonstop hot flash. I didn’t wear a winter coat because I would overheat and pass out. My cortisol was so high I gained 60 pounds in two months and my joints struggled under the sudden weight. The pain was unbearable.

It took four years of begging for HRT to get it**, and a year on HRT to get balanced. It took that same year to lose that extra weight. And now I’m at risk of my symptoms returning and my body going through hell again. Because they aren’t producing enough meds for demand. And though my meds are manufactured in the states, I’m sure some ingredients are imported so tariffs are likely involved.

So my options are see my doctor which involves a three month wait for an appointment and what can she really do anyway, switch to another brand which my doctor already ruled out because I’m allergic to their ingredients, or wait for the meds to arrive while my supply runs out and my body freaks out. It’s fine. Everything is fine.

At least my overthinking finally paid off. I found my emergency meds supply in my travel bag and it had a week’s supply of the second med. That’ll buy me more time.

*I know I have mutuals in or adjacent to the pharmaceutical industry so if you know more about this so called spike in demand occurring now in relation to the 2021 FDA update, I welcome your knowledge.

We’re halfway through Mental Health Awareness Month and I’m less than 30 days away from this incredible walk. Make sure to check in with your loved ones. Practice self care. Get outside and enjoy nature. And if you want to help support others please consider a donation. Every dollar helps.