Still Standing—Because You Called

You probably don’t know the depth of respect I’ve held for you over the years, Ako. You fought for people like me when others turned away. I’ve watched your unwavering presence in our community and carried your example in my heart. So when my phone rang and it was you—my breath caught. You actually called me.

You didn’t just offer words. You gave encouragement, and you reminded me why I started this journey in the first place: justice, community, and unity. In your voice, I heard compassion—not just for the cause, but for me. That matters more than you know. Thank you Ako.

As I said on BlueSky, I live with several disabilities, including agoraphobia. I don’t say that to seek pity—it’s context. It took everything in me to physically leave my home, to drag my broken body around and promote a protest I deeply believed in. I did it not for attention, but for action.

That protest, by the way, supports the very women who publicly smeared me. Who called me a liar. Who tried to erase what I was trying to build. That pain is raw. I won’t pretend it isn’t.

Defamation isn’t just a hurt feeling—it’s an attempt to erase my credibility, my work, and my voice. But because of you, Ako, I’m not walking away just yet.

I created Rescue Our Democracy to network, to unite, and to never let Iowa activism be silenced—no matter who’s in charge or what site goes down.

This isn’t over. I’m still here. Because Ako, you reminded me who I am.