Thing about bipolar disorder. There is no cure and it's a mental illness.
The thing about bipolar disorder, I can be depressed for no reason or I can be restless for no reason.
The thing about bipolar disorder, there are times I see shadows moving not attached to anything.
The thing about bipolar disorder it can only be treated with antidepressants or an SSRI.

Blonde hair and black glasses.
Light tan skin and dark blue eyes.
One night, long ago.
One time her older brother waved at me from his ******* truck and said, "My little sister talks about you all the time."
I smiled and waved back. Saying nothing as he drove past me.

The thing about being autistic, I have been getting all sorts of therapy since I was 3 years old. From reading, writing and speaking.
The thing about being autistic, I am brutally honest and super-empathetic. I have been able to pick up on other people's emotions for as long as I can remember. It's like getting glue on your hands, you peel off the layers of glue and it seems like a second skin.
The more I am around people the more their emotions stick to me so when I walk away I get to breath and focus on my own emotions.
The thing about being autistic, nobody wants to talk about it because it makes people uncomfortable. There is no cure to being autistic. It's something you are born with and it's a mental disability.
The thing about being autistic, and being called a special needs adult isn't any different from being a special needs kid. The Americans with Disabilities Act still helps me as an adult like getting a job and keeping a job. It's up to me whether I want to disclose it or not as a person with a mental disability.

What is love?
Love is selfless devotion. Love is being who you are with someone else. Love is getting used to being single and learning to be more you.
Love is finding ways to be proud of yourself.

I used to carry such hatred for people way back when because I hated repressing my love for women.
I didn't realize the hate was eating me alive so when I met a queer person at youth group that hatred faded and I filled up with compassion.
I still didn't what queer was at the time but I had unconditional love for this queer person then I realized I am queer too when I was in high school, my senior year.
Then in college, one of my best friends told me what bisexuality is and I realized I am bisexual. Eventually I got over my internalized biphobia and the rest is history.

As we walk these paths, may we change the world.
As we walk these paths, may we change the statistics.
As we walk these paths, may we walk to freedom.
As we walk these paths, may we walk to courage.

I left a trail of footprints in the snow as I walked today because I am here.
I smiled as I walked because I am here.
I am alive and free to be me because I am here.
I am here, I am queer and I am totally done with existential fear.