Adele Espy
I am a 29 year old androgynous person (she/her or they/them) with a passion for dogs, writing, painting, crocheting, walking in the woods, felting, baking, cross-country skiing, hiking, juggling, playing bluegrass and Celtic music on the fiddle, and hanging out with family and friends. I live with multiple chronic illnesses and I'm in recovery from a severe eating disorder. I have an owner trained service dog who is the love of my life. I have a small hat making business and I train dogs as well. I'm currently in nursing school, but taking a break to focus on my health. In my past I was a professional athlete.
What Does Life With Dissociative Identity Disorder Really Look Like
It’s so scary to wake up as a toddler alone in a condo with only a dog. This is the terrifying reality I live...
How I Date As Someone With Chronic Illness
Dating in your mid-30s is hard simply because most people have already found their mate by now. In addition to the normal difficulties in finding...
When I Finally Chose Myself Instead Of Neglecting My Needs
For my entire life, I’ve dismissed my needs to accommodate others. Even when my friends’ and family’s “needs” are more like preferences and mine...
When Your Body Changes The Plot: Grieving the Life You Thought You’d Have
This coming March, the season’s final cross-country skiing World Cup races conclude in Lake Placid, New York. I live in Maine, and when I...
I Went To A Psychic & Here’s What I Learned
I went to a psychic yesterday because I had some questions for both my service dog and my deceased loved ones.
I’ve had a number...
7 Items To Put In Care Bags
About 5 years ago I started a tradition of giving back by packing care bags for people who experience homelessness in Portland, ME. My dad and...
How Castlewood Treatment Center Harmed My Mental Health
The CUT recently published an article revealing the abuse that happened behind the walls of Castlewood Treatment Center in Missouri.
The article is called...
Dogs Have PTSD Too: How Dogs Can Benefit From Exposure Therapy
My dog is terrified of the vet. The first time we went to have his blood drawn, the tech nicked a nerve, causing him...
How To Let Summer Go And Start Embracing Fall
Not everyone loves fall. For kids, it means going back to school. For teachers, it means resuming work. And for everyone, it means an increase...
A Multi-Organ System Disease Doesn’t Make Me Complicated
I have a multi-organ system disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). It’s becoming more well-known recently, with many patients receiving this diagnosis after years of...
