And shoutout to everyone at OSU who has supported me through all the twists and turns. I’m grateful. 💛.

Quit what isn’t working for you. Prioritize today’s wellness and happiness over the expectations and validation of others. Become part of the cool kids table of grad school dropouts if that’s what’s right for you. I’m so happy I did. 🚫🎓.

Honestly, a big part of my fear around dropping out was becoming a statistic—another queer/trans/disabled scholar who didn’t make it in academia. But now, on the other side, I’m proud of my choices and not afraid to own the truth of what this grad school journey has been for me.

Since leaving my PhD I’m 3 months newly sober, surrounded by my recovery community and chosen family, and living life for today’s happiness instead of tomorrow’s validation. Next to sobriety, dropping out is the biggest gift I’ve given myself.

Even in the face of extreme unhappiness and unwellness I clung to this idea that if I could just finish, x person would be proud of me, I would feel x about myself, etc. etc. etc. But the truth is, no external validation or chasing other people’s dreams for me could do that.

There’s so much I could say about this journey and my process. But what I will say is that for so long I thought academic achievement would prove something about myself — prove my worth, prove my competency, prove…what? I don’t even know.

Grad school updates: after years of indecision and uncertainty I finally experienced some clarity this year and I dropped out! 😎 as of 2/2 I am no longer a PhD candidate and the joy I feel about this decision is immense.

None of this has been okay and if you haven’t been radicalized against the US healthcare system yet, that’s just privilege all the way down. #MedicareForAll #HealthcareIsAHumanRight.

I spoke with someone else and the claim was right there in my file. Now I “just” owe $4k, after being told me out of pocket max is $500. So yeah, I do have an ounce of regret about my gender affirming surgery, but only because of the dumpster fire that is the US insurance system.

All claims related to my hysterectomy have been denied time and time again due to logistical/clerical errors. Today, when I called and asked for an update to my $50k bill, the agent said “oh, is this a *transgender* thing? I can’t help you and don’t see this claim.” 😡😠😖.

Wanna know the one thing that’s given me pause after gender affirming surgery? That’s made me wonder — is all of this worth it? Not the post op infections, not the transphobia from doctors—the only thing that’s made me even ponder the word regret is dealing with insurance/UHC.

Alright. Y’all wanna talk about regret after gender affirming surgery so bad? 🧵 I had a hysterectomy in April and it went pretty poorly — I had multiple post op complications and infections, but never for a moment did I regret the surgery.

Just saw The Substance

OSU folks — this is tomorrow at 12:30 in Derby Hall. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Jomana Al-Hinti about health in Gaza. 🇵🇸 Habibi grill will be catering!

🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅👎 (the "help" button said something like "we use this data to assess experiences of men and women") boooo. Sex =\= gender my dudes!!! sex isn't binary! gender isn't binary! I can't believe we still have to say this in 2024!!

When you're a sociology graduate student and the census randomly selects you and your spouse to do the American Community Survey. Let's goooooo!!! I am so hype.

An argument against universal health care is long wait times and substandard care. Well. That ship has sailed, my friends. We deserve so much better than this, and wow do we need a massive overhaul of our medical system in this country. #MedicareForAll #HealthcareIsAHumanRight.

I say all of this because @OSUWexMed and @OhioState and really this whole damn country needs to do so much better. Waiting 11 hours in neurological crisis is unacceptable. @johnjwarner.

Someone who came in after me *did* have a stroke, and the precious 10+ hours he waited to be seen likely meant any damage to his brain was significantly less reversible, if not irreversible entirely. His family was already discussing malpractice right there in the waiting room.