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.
Why I Fear What I Could Lose
I fear something will happen to my dog, Blizzard, and I’ll be left empty. By loving him to the max and identifying as a...
What I Wish To Hear As Someone With A Chronic Illness
Before I got sick, I was an athlete, racing all over North America and Europe and competing in distance races as a cross-country skier....
How Dogs Have Shaped My Personality
Throughout my life, dogs have been my protectors. Enduring abuse from 2 to 21 years old, the only solace I found was in the...
Art Saved Me And Gave My Life New Meaning
As a teenager, I was an Olympic hopeful in Nordic skiing. I got the opportunity to race all over North America, Europe, and Scandinavia....
Central Lines, Sepsis, And The Will To Live: My Chronic Illness Journey
I honestly do not know where to start. I’ve struggled with debilitating chronic health conditions for 16 years. I always struggled with my gut,...
Advice On Taking Your Service Dog With You To The Hospital
I just spent time in the hospital due to sepsis from two different bacteria in my bloodstream. For the first five days, while the...
How Sepsis Saved My Life
Experiencing unexplained weight gain is a terrifying prospect for anyone. But for someone with an eating disorder like mine, it's a particularly daunting challenge.
It...
The Friend Who Was On My Side, Even When I Was Wrong
Taylor Swift once sang, “I knew you were on my side, even when I was wrong.” While I don’t listen to much of Swift’s...
Why I Chose To Finally Set Boundaries & Put Myself First
My first instinct is to rush toward any and all chaotic situations. I have a deep desire to help others in need, stemming from...
The Impact Of Voting With PTSD
I voted absentee this year because my PTSD makes it impossible to go to the voting booth without having a panic attack. But that’s...
