Sunshine, sweet relief!

Hi friends,I've been hard at work the last few months preparing the rationale for my Pain Studies and Social Change concentration through DePaul University, as well as scholarships and other funding proposals.

I've added two new pieces of writing that I am pleased to share with you:Addressing Pain Treatment Disparities Through Health EducationPersonal PhilosophyGoing from winter to spring is a traditionally difficult time for me and my pain level. This year, as you likely know has been one of the rainiest on record for Northern California. It has been hard on my body and spirit to weather (pun intended, ha ha ha). I'm glad to be back to feeling mostly OK (not without much rest, self-care, supports, treatment, prayer, grief, and who knows what else!) after a moderate flare that started in February and entered into "acute exacerbation" as I was finishing up the quarter in March.There is nothing "cute" about pain exacerbation! It is always difficult to know how much to yield to the pain, depression and the fatigue, and how much to act, to be doing to seek relief, comfort. I often feel a sense of atrophy to my creative momentum as I have to slow down, be ever more cautious, and make sure I don't "overdo" it. Which I inevitably do, as it doesn't take much. Pacing and finding the tension between doing too much and too little is continuously a challenge for me, especially as my energy lifts with longer days and more light. I have to remind myself not to push too hard and set myself back, even though my mind wants to leap forward while I have the spark. Perhaps you can relate?The sun these last few days has been a sweet relief! It has felt incredible to have a renewed sense of creativity and inspiration. Apropos of the season, I have been focused on the planting and cultivating of funding so that I may continue my studies and my Pain Activism & Education work. I continue to move closer to raising the money grassroots style for the Unshame Pain Video Project. It is coming together!Please share this flyer and spread the word: UnshamePain flyer or Unshame Pain flyer 2upNow my attention is on polishing up what will be the first public version of my Unshame & Reclaim Pain Framework. It will be great to add to the "Resources" section that has been empty too long!I'm excited to show you some of what I have been developing and creating. I look forward to your feedback.Stay tuned!Lots of love,Ma'ayan