I have an accompanying post here that is helpful to read before this.  

It’s important to note that medication has played a significant role in getting me to a point where I can utilize the self care practices I describe in the accompanying post.  Lithium in particular has quieted the suicidal thoughts I had for so long.  In order to take lithium I also take birth control to prevent a pregnancy, something that would likely be tragic with the awful birth defects lithium can cause.  With the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg I have been thinking about how important she was in the constant fight to allow women control over their own body.  While the ACA has helped American women in so many ways, one major change is that required birth control be free with a prescription under all insurance plans.  

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care in many forms, including annual exams and birth control prescriptions.  With the political climate the way it is, it is possible that the ACA could be repealed or struck down by the Supreme Court and that Planned Parenthood could lose any and all government funding, and have additional hoops to jump through in general.  

The loss of reproductive health care does not “only” mean the loss of birth control and access to abortion, but it means that because of the loss of those things, women who need them may not be able to take medication like lithium to help with their mental health.  They might not be able to end pregnancies that would likely result in birth defects. It means a loss to the economy with a number of women having to leave the workforce because they cannot afford child care.  It also means less cancer screenings and therefore more cancer deaths.  It means less STI tests and treatment, and therefore potential increased transmission.  

Justice Ginsburg was an amazing woman who worked hard as a litigator to fight for women’s equality under the law. As only the second female Supreme Court justice, she ruled in ways that allow other women the opportunity to make something of their life as well.  My husband and I are both saddened by the loss of such an amazing woman.  We made a donation to Planned Parenthood in memory of RBG and hope that you’ll join us with a donation or by voting the way I imagine RBG would want, to get Trump out of the office.