I am marching because it is my belief that if I see something that is wrong it is my moral and ethical obligation to stand up and say something no matter if it only affects people who are different than me or if it impacts myself directly. Today I am marching because of all of the people who have benefitted from the ACA. I have a chronic autoimmune disease that was discovered and treated while I was a recipient of healthcare through ACA. I am marching because people need to understand that mocking those with special needs or a disability is something that we as Americans will not tolerate. I am marching to send a message that we will not be marginalized due to skin tone, sexuality, gender, socioeconomic status, education level, ethnicity, health status, religious preferences, etc. I am marching because I want people to know that it is not ok to brutalize women or touch them just because you have power. I am marching as an advocate of anyone who has experienced sexual violence and domestic violence who need to know that they matter and are seen. We are worthy of protection and understanding. I am marching to give the younger generation hope that they have the power to change the world for the better and that their voices matter. I am marching to allow my voice to be heard in a society that often drowns me out and ignores me. I exist. I am proud. I am worthy. I am enough.

I am 29 and I work in the mental health field. I have always wanted to be involved with human services because I believe in equality and because I believe that we are linked to each other and if one person struggles it’s our job to help them get up and on their feet to continue with what is meaningful to them. Working for the greater good is what I believe in and try to practice. I struggle with an autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and anxiety. I am in recovery from PTSD and an eating disorder.