“There is someone I love even though I don’t approve of what he does. There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is me…. If I can love myself without approving of all I do, I can also love others without approving of all they do.” - C.S. Lewis
I think one of the most difficult obstacles for those who are neurodivergent and chronically ill is to first love ourselves. I can remember knowing I was different from a very young age. I also remember not being able to always control my behavior as a young person. And how much I hated myself for it. I didn’t know I was neurodivergent until I was 14. I was then promptly diagnosed with a chronic pain condition at 16. That means for my formative years I did not have the right tools I needed to grow up and manage my neurodivergence. Something almost no one knew is I spent most of my teen years suicidal. Even though I had some answers, I still didn’t have all the tools I needed.
Little by little, I learned more and more about how to help myself. I then got my GED and went to nursing school. I was able to graduate with honors.
My life isn’t perfect. Not even close. But I sure have learned a lot and try to share my experiences with as many people as I can. I am not capable of fixing the world. Though I would like to try somedays. But if I help even one person through this…it was all worth it.
Our mission is simple. First and foremost, to encourage those who are neurodivergent and chronically ill to love themselves.
Secondly to unite under the same premise: No matter how different we are, we share similar struggles, pain points, and obstacles and through working together, we can become invaluable resources to one another.
