I. Am. Stunned.

In 2 days, over 500 signatures. Because of social media. Because of my INCREDIBLE dance community in Atlanta and beyond, and, my students...my “army of dancers who love & support one another”... Dance. Is. Amazing.

It saved my life last Sunday morning. 

Thank you for the outpouring of support on Social Media. All the signatures. I am humbled. To every person who has read my story, encouraged me, shared my story, signed, reached out, shared your own story with me....there are no words.

Two days ago, I had absolutely no idea when I woke up that morning...ish.... I’d be moved to write my own petition. It sort of just... happened.

I’ll explain.

We had started having the conversation as a family unit on how to coach our bright eyed, athletic, inquisitive, too-intelligent-for-mom 6 year old the proper steps to take, just in case.

1. Call 911. Check. 2. Let them know Mommy is in Adrenal Crisis and needs her emergency injection immediately. “I need help giving Mommy her medicine. My address is....” Check. 3. Stay on the phone with them until they arrive. Check. 4. Lead them to the first aid kit. Check. ....

”...but Mommy I don’t know how to do your injection...can I learn?”

And with it, her confidence went. I saw it leave in the expression on her face. Must. Build. Confidence. 

I immediately thought to myself, I CAN NOT DO THIS TO HER ANYMORE. There has to be a better way. 

We were good until the injection came up. 

We just need a solution. Can we get an Auto-Injector?? Anyone? It would change it all. And my child would have full confidence, every step of the way. All the children who suffer from this. Done. I could swear I heard a mechanical click in my brain...

Certainly with dilated pupils, hot lasers shot out of my eyeballs, focused in on the task at hand. One of the lovely side effects of steroid dependency, 30 minutes post dose Hydrocortisone.

Also in my brain, was a beautiful symphony of inspirational instruments playing in unison, cheering me on to jump into action. 

I instantly, without thinking, went to my WhatsApp group chat with my fellow Addy Warriors, and, if I remember correctly, told them I had finally created a post on my Instagram sharing my story. I had been putting it off for months, knowing I needed to use what small influence I may have, to start advocating. I just survived my closest call yet. And not one person in my life truly knows how serious this is. 

Oh crap. I just announced to the entire universe I have Addison’s. 

But there was a pulse. From the very beginning. It forged incognito coursing through my veins. Pumping. I could feel it’s life from the moment I saw her eyes.

And it hit me. A new purpose. For her. No matter what. Equip her and we keep on living. Do nothing...not an option. I am raising a warrior super hero princess after all. And we have the armor of the Almighty God. 

Maybe, with faith of a mustard seed, if I turn to the community I do have, we can find solutions. If I start sharing...Who knows? Maybe it will help someone else and a life could be saved. I’m just one person, but ALL of us can change the world.

The survivor stories are heartbreaking. And they have been suffering in silence while simultaneously screaming at the top of their lungs for someone to listen. The least I can do is use my voice on their behalf. 

Well, remember that Instagram post I finally had the courage to share? Yeah. It suddenly blew up all of my devices and I couldn’t fathom that that many humans were even paying attention. It would seem as if that Instagram post had a pulse too...

Cue music. Social Media Tribe....here we go. I knew we could make noise, together. 

I scrambled to ask for any resources, links,  petitions...anything, and hurriedly messaged them with something to the effect of...”This is it. Let’s make some noise. Give me anything you have that I can share...”

Thinking to myself the entire time, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. 

Upon my frenzied searches, an old petition for an Auto-Injector, started 5 years ago, closed. But word on the street, is there is something in the works.... arriving 2023. 

That’s too many lives in the balance. I’m afraid I can’t afford to wait that long. 

Rather than waste my spoons on more searching, I kept up with the momentum already in my veins, and wrote my own.

Then decided it’d be a great idea to share that with the planet, too. Go big or go home, baby.

You see, each crisis does indeed take a piece of your soul with it. In return, in my case anyway, a new mission. New life pumping to my heart that has been saved, yet again, by dance. Who knew.

And now, also by this incredible group of warriors who deserve better. Pulse = Purpose.

And to my sweet baby girl, who’s already seen way too much. This mission is for you. Your compassion astounds me. I love you as big as the universe, a million x infinity. 

Every. Signature. Counts.

Our lives depend on it. 

Please continue to share my story, which I tell on behalf of ALL stories out in the universe that need a sign it’s time to debut your own. Tell everyone you know, to share it too. 

Squeaky wheel gets the grease. 

#addisonswarriorsunite

#lyricalforamiracle 

TAG the CDC & Pfizer, media outlets, and any other resources that could help to spread awareness and move this forward. Share. Share. Share. We need funding. Research. Advocacy. Awareness. And an Auto-injector.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. 

Love & Light

Dre Lakin