Be Better

She's the reason I subjected myself to speaking in front of a room full of neurologists and a couple of friendly faces today -- or perhaps not the reason but rather the inspiration. The reason I spoke in front of a room full of neurologists today at the Epilepsy Summit in Manhattan Beach was to participate as a parent on a panel to discuss CBD, to share our particular story and to use my own voice and words to support all these families, all these people who are struggling with refractory seizures. Can I tell you that a roomful of neurologists is actually not something that intimidates me but rather challenges me to dig deep and not feel bias, to not have low expectations, to not sigh inwardly at the predictability of how they might respond. Equanimity is what I'm after, and it's taken nearly twenty years to touch its elusive borders. I go into these things conscious of my own bias and emotions, and I try to go in open -- wide open. And every time I do, I feel like an asshole afterward for the attempt. If I told you that those of us present who were NOT neurologists were patronized, condescended to, subtly mocked, mansplained and even bullied, what would you think? There was no discussion. I was very challenged today, and every single low expectation was met. Expletives come to mind, but like my mother always said, Don't stoop to their level. Be better. 

The Times They are A Changing

Well, I climbed up on a stage in the Universal Hilton ballroom and spoke to a crowd of a few hundred at the Realm of Caring Foundation benefit tonight, and it was fine. I was pretty charged up, my pulse raced and my knees shook behind the podium, but I looked right down into the faces of the great and almighty neurology department of UCLA and spoke my truth. And it felt fine. I was so grateful that those women and men would even come and listen, to tell you the truth. It was such a contrast from the folks up at the Epilepsy Pipeline Conference who I'm now convinced couldn't stand the likes of me. Tant pis pour elles, as the French idiomatic expression goes. I also met some wonderful people with whom I've corresponded on Facebook, saw my new best pal, Cindy, met her son and his seizure dog and sat with one of my best friends in the whole world who bought a ticket and came out to support us. I love you, Shannon! Thank you to the kind and dedicated people at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles who sponsored my seat at their table, too.

An amazing vocalist named Chris Pierce performed -- I'd never heard of him, but wow. Here's a video of him singing as an opener for B.B. King. He sang the same song tonight while photos of the beautiful children of cannabis played behind him. Oh, and I got to talk again with Joel Stanley -- I know some of you are wildly jealous, and you should be.

The times they are a-changin'.





Speaking of times, I took that photo above around the corner from my house. It's advertising the California Dreams/Laurel Canyon exhibit at the Grammy Museum downtown, and that's an old photo of Joni Mitchell on the left. I'm perhaps too excited about this exhibit and wish that ya'll who like this sort of thing would consider flying out to Los Angeles and going with me.

Here's a fun thing to watch that might entice you:

The Epilepsy Pipeline Conference Live Stream Link

If you'd like to see any of the goings-on at this weekend's Epilepsy Pipeline Conference, you can click on this link and do so.

I will be participating on the medical marijuana panel on Saturday morning. The time on the schedule is 10:40 am Pacific Coast time. While I don't anticipate any gladiatoring, I am a tad nervous as it's a sold-out crowd and we all know that the Powers That Be are not all as supportive of these new developments as we wish they'd be. I keep repeating to myself that I only have to tell my story, tell Sophie's story, our Truth, the Truth, and it will be powerful enough.

Good thing I'm a pacifist and believe in civil disobedience.

Yikes.