I’m Julie — a solo mom of two bright little Lights in this world and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Life has changed drastically in the past year, and I am learning how to navigate life with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and complex trauma.

This season of Hard Things has carried stranger-than-fiction vibes. I often question the realness of it all. But I know that this hardship, this healing, and these holy moments (what I call the Sacred in the Suck) are not only real. They are the realest real.

If you’ve followed our journey, thank you so very much for the light, the love, and the steady support that carry us when I can't. You are bright Lights in our lives, and I am beyond grateful.

After six weeks away at what I affectionately call "Trauma Camp" (residential trauma treatment), I’m now home as my whole Self.

I just started my dream job providing trauma-informed psychiatric care for neurodivergent folks along with a team of amazing psychologists and therapists. I love this work and am so grateful to finally be back in action. Now I get to do it in a specialized capacity that combines my nerdy clinical brain with my lived experiences to offer the best care I can.

But building a full client base takes time.

I am in that rebuilding phase now. The future looks bright, but I'm not there yet. To stay afloat this month, we need some help.

We’re facing $3,100 in immediate needs:

$500 – Summer camps for the girls to keep them safe, active, and having kid-fun while I work

$850 – Trauma and FND treatment with my specialized psychologist who’s walked with me through it all

$300 – Malpractice insurance

$1,000 – New collaborating physician (required to prescribe in Georgia)

$400 – Groceries and essentials

$50 – Gas and transportation

Gift cards to Amazon, Kroger, or Target are also deeply appreciated! The girls are growing like weeds, and we’re burning through summer supplies like sunscreen and bug spray. (If I could, I would absolutely buy stocks in Blue Lizard sunscreen and Off! Skintastic bug repellent. They keep these little fair-skinned, all-you-can-eat mosquito buffets happy and healthy.)

If you're local-ish and one of the girls' safe, sturdy grown-ups, and if you have capacity to help me give them a little summer fun, please reach out. It would make them so happy.

The joy you’ve shared with us along the way has meant everything.

Every share, donation, or kind word helps us stay housed, fed, and moving forward in this process of mending the broken pieces, kintsugi style (totally worth the Google search). Thank you for being part of our story.

With so much love and gratitude,

Julie

May you be safe.

May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you live with ease.