Who Has the Right to My Pain

I wrote this book because I had to. I wrote it because my son Christian took his own life. I wrote it because years of chronic pain, cancer, grief and psychiatric-system trauma brought me to a point where I was no longer sure I wanted to live.
At my lowest, I realized that nobody else could take responsibility for my healing. Doctors helped me in many ways, but they could not walk the path for me. I had to find my own way forward.
Through mindfulness, movement, nutrition, community and the careful use of medical cannabis and psychedelics, I slowly rebuilt a life worth living. I did not find a miracle cure, but I found a daily practice that helps me move from despair to purpose, from survival to genuine joy and gratitude.
This is my story.
It is also a call to rethink how we approach pain, mental health, healing and human freedom. Who should have the final say when it comes to our bodies, our minds and our search for relief?
I do not claim to have all the answers. But I believe we need to ask better questions about pain, healing and who gets to decide.