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Vanessa Leggard

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In Health

My Drama Queen Thyroid: The Sequel

In Health 4 Mins Read

Because apparently, she needed more attention in 2025

If you read my last thyroid update, “Taming My Drama Queen Thyroid,” you already know my thyroid does not do subtle. She is dramatic. She is demanding. She thrives on chaos. She absolutely believes the world revolves around her.

Well, she’s back.
And she brought snacks.
Just not the ones I’m allowed to eat.

Yes, my Graves’ disease has made a return appearance in 2025. This time, it wasn’t loud panic or obvious symptoms. It was sneaky. My TSH dropped very low, even though I wasn’t feeling completely unhinged. But I was feeling off. And when you live with thyroid disease, “off” is your early warning system.

The Symptoms Were Quiet but Persistent

This round was less fireworks, more slow burn.

I was dealing with bloating, disrupted sleep, exhaustion that made no sense, increased anxiety, and certain food triggers that suddenly felt like they were personally attacking me. Nothing extreme on its own, but together it was enough for me to say, “Something is not right.”

I listened.
I called my doctor.
And here we are.

Back on Medication (Again)

Yes, I am back on my medication, methimazole, and I am already beginning to feel better. There is no shame in that. There is no failure in needing help. Thyroid disease is not something you power through. It is something you manage, sometimes for life.

Let me say this clearly:
Medication is not the enemy. Ignoring your body is.

Welcome Back to the Low-Iodine Diet

And now for the part that hurts the most.

I am officially back on a restricted low-iodine diet, which is about as fun as it sounds. Think of it as a cleanse, but without the joy or the bragging rights.

This means:

  • Limited coffee (cruel and unusual punishment)
  • No alcohol (I have thoughts about this)
  • No dairy
  • No gluten
  • No shellfish
  • No sea salt
  • And honestly, no joy in the snack aisle

Basically, none of the good stuff.
If it tastes amazing, I probably cannot have it.
If it brings happiness, it’s suspicious.

Between the medication and the diet, my thyroid has turned my life into a very beige experience. But I remind myself that this is temporary, intentional, and necessary.

What This Round Taught Me

Because thyroid disease always has a lesson:

  • Remission does not mean the story is over.
  • Symptoms do not have to be dramatic to be important.
  • Lab numbers matter, but so does how you feel.
  • Food can absolutely trigger symptoms, even when labs look “almost fine.”
  • Listening early beats fixing things later.

Most importantly, I learned again that your body whispers before it screams. If you pay attention early, you can often avoid the worst of it.

Why I’m Sharing This

Because too many people, especially women over 40, brush things off as stress, menopause, burnout, or just life. Sometimes it is life. And sometimes it is your thyroid quietly flipping the table.

Real talk:
If something feels off, trust yourself.
If your labs are “borderline,” push for answers.
If you need medication again, take it.
If you need to eat like a monk for a while, complain, but do it anyway.

There is strength in paying attention.
There is power in early action.
And there is freedom in telling the truth, even when that truth is:

“My thyroid is being a diva again, and I am on a diet I did not choose.”

What I’m Doing Now

Right now, I am focusing on:

  • Medication consistency
  • A restricted low-iodine diet, even though I miss everything
  • Limiting coffee and alcohol (send encouragement)
  • Eating foods that support healing, not chaos
  • Sleeping like it is my full-time job
  • Regular labs and doctor check-ins
  • Giving myself grace instead of guilt

Because healing is not linear. It is layered. And sometimes it is deeply inconvenient.

My thyroid may be a drama queen, but I am still in charge.
She can have the spotlight.
I run the show.

Stay tuned.
Hopefully, the next update is boring.

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In affordable housing

Luv Michael, Real Families, and a Community That Said Yes

In affordable housing 5 Mins Read

Real Talk, Real People. Real Needs. Real Action. Real Solutions. Two years of work led to this moment. Countless meetings. More than twenty speakers. And one room filled, by the end, with relief, pride, gratitude, and joy.

This week, the Town of Southampton approved funding for Luv Michael Homes, a decision that quietly yet profoundly changed lives for families whose deepest fear is a question most of us never have to ask. Who will care for my child when I can no longer?

A Question Parents Carry Every Day

Luv Michael serves an underserved and often overlooked community. Adults living on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities deserve housing, dignity, independence, and belonging.

For parents of children with disabilities, caregiving has no off switch. It is twenty-four hours a day, every day, for life. As parents grow older, the fear sharpens.

  • Where will my child live?
  • Who will protect them?
  • Who will truly see them?

These are not hypothetical questions. They are lived realities.

Perspective From Privilege

I live in privilege. I have two healthy daughters, and I still worry about them. I worry about their safety, their futures, and their happiness. That awareness made this moment even more powerful. I cannot imagine loving your child just as fiercely while knowing they will always need support and wondering who will step in when you no longer can. That is why Luv Michael matters.

What Luv Michael Has Built

Luv Michael does not simply provide housing. Luv Michael builds community. Residents live independently with support. They work. They form friendships. They worship. They train. They compete. They celebrate milestones. They belong. They are not hidden away. They are part of Southampton. In a region where housing costs have pushed most group homes out of reach, what Luv Michael has created is rare and essential.

One of the Best Days of My Year

Photo credit: Kurt Leggard

One of the best days I had this year was spent with the staff, residents, and families of Luv Michael at Surfers Healing. Luv Michael partners with Surfers Healing, a nonprofit that brings legendary surfers and volunteers together to give autistic children and adults one perfect day at the beach.

That day was exactly that.

Photo credit: Kurt Leggard

Parents who live with constant worry watched their children rise on the waves with confidence and joy. Volunteers cheered. Families laughed. Fear softened, even if only for a day. It was healing.

Jenna’s Words

During the public hearing, resident Jenna stood up and spoke for herself. She said that Luv Michael changed her life for the better. She talked about coming to Southampton for the first time and feeling something immediately.

She said that the moment she visited, she knew this was a community she wanted to be part of and that she did not want to leave.

Jenna spoke about the people around her. She talked about loving the people she lives with and grows with every day. She spoke about the support she receives and the friendships she has made.

She shared her pride in what she has accomplished. She talked about competing in races, being hugged and cheered on, and earning two gold medals. She spoke about her job and how meaningful it is to her, as well as her love for working with the Southampton Playhouse.

Most of all, Jenna wanted the Town Board to hear directly from her. She spoke about lifelong friendships, about feeling welcomed, and about how incredible this life feels to her now. She told them she felt it was important for them to hear it from her.

And the room listened.

A Dream Come True for Her Family

Photo credit: Kurt Leggard

At Surfers Healing, I met Jenna’s parents. They shared something that put everything into perspective. Before Luv Michael, Jenna was quiet and timid. She held back. She stayed small.

Watching her now, living independently, making friends, inspiring others, and surfing in the ocean, they told me this life feels like a dream they were never sure they would see.

Photo credit: Kurt Leggard

I saw Jenna’s father again yesterday. What made me happiest was watching him watch her. Watching his pride. Watching his joy. Watching his relief as his daughter continues to grow and flourish. full gallery click here:

That kind of transformation does not happen by accident. It happens because support exists. It happens because the community exists. It happens because belief exists.

Voices That Filled the Room

More than twenty people spoke that night. Parents. Residents. Faith leaders. Advocates. Caregivers. They spoke about independence. About dignity. About fear turning into hope. About stability and belonging. As each person stood, the energy in the room shifted. This was not about policy alone. This was about humanity.

By the end, the room was elated. People were smiling. Some were emotional. There was a shared sense that something meaningful had been accomplished together.

A True Accomplishment

This project was two years in the making. It required perseverance, collaboration, and trust between Luv Michael, the Community Housing Fund Advisory Board, town leadership, and families who never stopped advocating. The approval ensures long-term affordability and stability for a home serving adults on the autism spectrum. It provides something families rarely get: Peace of mind.

Why This Matters

A community is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable members. This decision shows what happens when real people speak honestly about real concerns and leaders respond with compassion and action.

Luv Michael is not just a housing model. It is a promise. A promise to families. A promise to residents. A promise that no one will be forgotten.

Real talk. Real people. Real concerns. Real problems. Real action. Real solutions.

And this week, Southampton delivered.

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In Wellness

Part Two: Life After Breast Reduction. When Healing Took a Detour I Never Saw Coming

In Wellness 6 Mins Read

If you missed Part One of this journey, you can catch up here:

👉 Breast Reduction Surgery: What Every Woman Should Know

That article covered the decision, the surgery, the relief, and the optimism. This is the part of the story that came after the credits were supposed to roll.

When Healing Decided to Freestyle

Breast reduction is often described as the finish line. You cross it, take a deep breath, and step into a lighter, easier life. And in many ways, that was true for me. My shoulders relaxed. My body felt lighter. Clothes fit differently. The constant physical strain eased.

Then the scars started changing their personality.

At first, everything looked exactly how post-surgical scars are supposed to look. Then they became raised. Thicker. Itchy. Tender. Then painful. That was when I learned the word that would become a very unwelcome guest in my life: keloids.

The Plot Twist I Did Not Know Was in My DNA

Here is the part that still makes me pause. If I had known that keloids were hereditary, I would have told Dr. Bui immediately. Maybe he could have put a preventative plan in place. Maybe we could have tried early interventions sooner. Maybe I still would have developed them anyway. I truly do not know.

That is the thing about hindsight. It is always very confident.

What I do know is this. Once the keloids formed, my body made it clear that this was no small side effect. They grew slowly at first, then more aggressively. They rubbed against bras. They pulled at my skin. They turned getting dressed into a daily negotiation.

The Year I Tried to Out-Patient My Own Body

For a full year, I stayed in the “let us try everything else first” lane. Steroid injections. Silicone tape. Patience. Hope. Repeating the same sentence in my head: maybe this will be the time it works.

There were moments of improvement. Enough to keep me optimistic. Enough to make me delay a bigger decision. But over time, the truth became undeniable. The keloids were increasing in size. The treatments were no longer effective. And the discomfort was becoming part of my daily routine.

That is the moment when it stopped being about scars and started being about pain.

The Decision I Tried to Talk Myself Out Of

Making the choice to have another surgery was not easy. I was scared. There is no pretty way to say that. I did not want to put my body through another operation with no guarantee of success.

And then there was radiation.

That word hit me differently because my mother had breast cancer. She went through extensive radiation treatments. While it saved her life, it also caused other long-term health challenges. That experience lived quietly in my chest for decades. This was not just a medical decision. This was emotional history resurfacing at full volume.

To be fair, that was 32 years ago, when radiation treatment was still evolving. Medicine has come a long way. My doctors walked me through everything carefully. I was told this would be a very mild, targeted treatment, only three sessions, strictly to prevent the keloids from returning. Not cancer treatment. Not full radiation therapy. Just enough to interrupt the cycle of excessive scar growth.

I trusted the science. I trusted my medical team. But fear still rode shotgun.

Day One: When Courage and Pain Clocked In Together

The first radiation treatment happened immediately after surgery. And I will not sugarcoat it. I was in immense pain. Fresh incision pain. Emotional overload. Physical exhaustion. And instead of going home to rest, I went straight into radiation.

That day was the hardest of the entire journey. I showed up sore, scared, exhausted, and determined. Because sometimes healing does not give you the luxury of timing or comfort.

By the third day, something shifted. I did not need help undressing anymore. My body began to reclaim its independence. Fear loosened its grip just enough for hope to peek through.

Two Weeks Later: Hope Has Entered the Chat

It has now been two weeks since the keloid removal and radiation. And for the first time in a long time, I wake up with no pain. No sharp shooting pains through my breast. No constant tightness. No relentless itching.

I am still in recovery mode. I am not allowed to lift anything over five pounds. My physical activity is limited. I move carefully. I listen closely to my body. But the difference is night and day.

For the first time, I am looking forward to scar care instead of dreading it. I look forward to using silicone tape again not as a last-ditch effort, but as a healing tool. And this time, I can be patient. Because this was never about vanity.

This was about living without discomfort.

What This Whole Journey Has Taught Me, With a Side of Wit

Here is the real talk.

  • Breast reduction changed my life.
  • Keloids tried to hijack the happy ending.
  • Steroids and silicone were helpful, but not the final answer.
  • Fear makes every medical decision louder.
  • And relief is worth fighting for.
  • Also, bodies are unpredictable. Even when you do everything right. Especially when you do everything right.

Final Word to Any Woman Who Is Reading This With One Hand on Her Chest

If you developed keloids after breast reduction, you did nothing wrong. If you are afraid of another surgery, you are normal. If the word radiation makes your heart race, you are not alone. And if you are tired of living with daily discomfort, your feelings are valid.

  • You deserve to wake up without pain.
  • You deserve to get dressed without bracing yourself.
  • You deserve a body that feels like home again.

Two weeks in, I finally feel hopeful. And hope, my friends, is a very good place to begin again. I will add a part 3 of my wellness journey in a few months focused entirely on radiation recovery, scar care, and what to expect next.

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In EDITORIAL

When Robots Take Over… What Will Humans Do?

In EDITORIAL 6 Mins Read

Elon Musk says Tesla is going to create up to one million humanoid robots by 2027 and he’s calling them the “biggest product in history.” He’s even predicting that someday robots will outnumber humans 5 to 1 around the world.

Okay… pause 😮
Breathe 😮‍💨
Sip your coffee ☕️

Did we just sleep-walk into a sci-fi movie? Because this sounds less like “cool tech progress” and more like the beginning of Robots Gone Wild: The Documentary.

Let’s think about this for a second…

If robots take all the jobs  who’s left to buy the stuff companies are selling? Like really think about it… If a robot is flipping your burger, building your house, mowing your lawn, and writing your emails…

Who’s earning the paycheck?
Who’s paying the bills?
Who’s buying the next Tesla?

Robots aren’t lining up to buy beach passes in the Hamptons, that’s for sure. This is like building a restaurant but firing all your customers. Make it make sense!

“But robots make life easier!”

Sure. In moderation. Robots can help doctors, firefighters, teachers amazing!
Robots can lift heavy things and do boring or dangerous jobs fantastic!

But robot armies doing everything while humans sit unemployed on couches? That’s not “progress.” That’s a horror film on a budget.

And I’m not trying to be an extra in The Terminator: Hampton Bays Edition.

📌 And speaking of Terminator…

Here’s a piece of trivia that’s suddenly a little too relevant:

The original Terminator storyline takes place in 2029, robots rising up and taking over the world.

As in… five years from now. Not 100 years away. Not “the distant future.” Five. Years; around that same timeframe, Elon Musk predicts:

AI will make money irrelevant because humans won’t need to work.

Hold up.

Hollywood was supposed to be entertainment not a business plan.
Not a 5-year strategy presentation. If a robot ever walks up to me and asks,
“Are you Sarah Connor?” I’m grabbing my bag and running straight to the ferry.

The Oprah Moment: “YOU get a robot!”

I can already see the future talk show moment: Oprah hologram floats on screen shouting…

“YOU get a robot! YOU get a robot! EVERYBODY gets a robot!”

And the robots clap… because humans can’t afford tickets to be in the audience anymore. It sounds funny until your kid says:

“Mom, my babysitter plugged itself into the wall and is recharging… can I have dinner now?”

Robots as babysitters?
Robots tucking our children into bed?
Robots replacing the most HUMAN parts of being human?

Alexa was already nosy now we’re giving Optimus access to the playroom?
No thank you.

Musk says “Work will be optional” and money won’t matter

Elon Musk recently claimed:

AI will make work optional and money irrelevant.

No jobs? No bills? No hustle? Just vibes and free WiFi? Sounds dreamy…
…but who decides who gets what?

If money doesn’t matter, why do billionaires seem to want more of it every day?

This could be the future of dreams or the setup to a nightmare.
How do WE feel about it? Confused. Concerned. Curious. And sipping wine.

So… what WILL humans do?

Here’s the good news:
We don’t have to sit and wait to become emotional support pets for robots. There’s a BIG opportunity…

We build AI skills

Not coding-only skills.
Not “engineer or bust.”
Human + AI combined skills that keep us in charge.

There are 3 types:

1️⃣ AI User Skills “Using the tools”

  • ChatGPT (writing + planning)
  • Canva AI (creatives)
  • Descript (videos)
  • Notion AI (organizing)
    Fast to learn. Immediately valuable.

2️⃣ AI Workflow & Strategy “Managing the tools”

  • Automations
  • AI-powered marketing
  • Data storytelling
    This is where jobs + money are moving.

3️⃣ Technical AI “Building the tools”

  • Python basics
  • Machine learning foundations
  • APIs
    Even a little knowledge = BIG power.

Pair that with what robots CAN’T do:
creativity
compassion
community building
soul

That’s how we stay needed.

Do we need Congress to step in?

Do we need Congress to step in before one billionaire turns America into a scene from Terminator?
The last thing we need is Skynet with a PayPal account.

Politicians must protect:
✔ Workers
✔ Families
✔ Human rights
✔ Our economic future

Slow government vs. fast tech is a recipe for chaos.

Billionaires & The New Fountain of Youth

While robots take over jobs…
Many tech billionaires are working on something even bigger: Immortality. They call it:

  • Longevity
  • Anti-aging
  • Biohacking

But let’s be real:
It’s the Silicon Valley Fountain of Youth.

They’re spending billions to:

  • Reverse aging
  • Replace human organs
  • Transfuse younger blood
  • Upload consciousness into AI 
  • Live past 150… 200… FOREVER

If the ultra-rich never age and never die…who ever gets a turn at power? Imagine the SAME billionaires running everything for the next 300 years.

That’s not the future
that’s a permanent monarchy in hoodies.

Transhumanism: The Plan to Upgrade Humans or Replace Us?

And here’s where things get even wilder…

Billionaires aren’t just trying to live longer
some are preparing to evolve into a whole new type of human.

Transhumanism is the belief that humans should merge with technology to:

  • Enhance intelligence
  • Replace body parts
  • Install brain chips
  • Transfer memories into machines

It’s not a movie. Companies are working on this right now. But if only the rich can afford “upgrades”… do the rest of us become the old model?

A world where: Enhanced humans = live forever, run everything
Regular humans = disposable population – That isn’t evolution; that’s segregation wearing a tech hoodie. Real talk:
If a few billionaires leave humanity behind,
where does that leave the rest of us?

Let’s talk about greed for a minute.

When workers are replaced by machines, profits go ⬆️
But humanity’s well-being goes ⬇️

Tech isn’t the threat.
Unregulated power is.

Is Elon Musk the Boogeyman of Humanity?

Not saying he wakes up thinking:

“How do I break humanity today?”

But when you mix:

  • robot armies
  • billions in power
  • immortality dreams
  • Mars colonies

…you start to wonder if the rest of us are even part of the plan.

Like hey Elon
we ALSO want to live.
And preferably… on Earth.

The Real Talk:

Technology should lift people up, not wipe us off the org chart.

We need a future where:
Humans stay in charge
Robots remain assistants
Wealth doesn’t buy immortality
Every generation matters

Robots?
They’re visitors.
Helpful visitors if we set the rules.

So… what’s the plan?

We learn the tools.
We adapt with the change.
We refuse to sit quietly.

Real talk, real people:
We built this world.
We run this world.
We aren’t done yet.

Before we go…

Would YOU trust a robot as your babysitter?
How do YOU feel about billionaires trying to live forever?
Would YOU support a future where money “doesn’t matter,” but power stays put?

Drop your thoughts.
Let’s talk. ☕️

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In affordable housing

Think You Can’t Buy in Chelsea? Think Again

In affordable housing 4 Mins Read

Affordable Chelsea Co-op Lottery Opens | 21 Units for Sale

What If You Could Buy in Chelsea?

Affordable homeownership in Manhattan always sounds like something your cousin’s friend’s neighbor heard about once, but nobody actually sees in real life. Well, surprise  this time it’s real, and the door just cracked open for middle-income New Yorkers who thought buying in Chelsea was about as likely as finding a parking spot in SoHo on a Saturday.

The newest affordable housing lottery at 170 West 22nd Street is offering 21 co-op units starting at $385,865, and yes, I know in 2026, that number looks like a typo. But stay with me.

A Chelsea Home… For Regular People? Stop. Really.

Let’s set the scene:
Chelsea. Manhattan. Art galleries. Gelato. That one friend who swears they “manifested” their apartment. And right in the middle of it all

a brand-new nine-story co-op rising where four neglected buildings once stood.

After decades of back-and-forth development and more plot twists than a telenovela, the project was taken over by Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), who actually finished it and kept it affordable. Bless them.

And unlike most Manhattan real estate headlines, this one doesn’t involve billionaires, offshore shell companies, or someone buying a penthouse just for their dog. No. This is for middle-income New Yorkers earning real New York incomes, not Monopoly money.

So Who Qualifies? The Income Bands Look Like This:

  • Single person: $103,820–$124,740
  • Two people: Up to $142,560
  • Three people: Up to $160,380
  • Four to five people: Up to $192,500

If your household lands anywhere in that range, this might be your shot. No games.

Now Let’s Talk About That Down Payment

Here’s where affordability meets reality:

You only need 3% down.

Yes three percent.
But that money must be sitting in your account for three full months before your eligibility interview.

Translation: This is not the moment to Venmo request your aunt or move money around like you’re laundering it on “Ozark.” The funds must be seasoned, stable, and chilling in your account like they live there.

So What Exactly Are You Getting?

A building with:

  • A shared terrace with views that say “Look Ma, I made it!”
  • A landscaped courtyard for quiet moments
  • On-site laundry (because lugging laundry through NYC builds character, but we’re tired)
  • A bike room
  • An elevator
  • Security cameras
  • Smoke-free environment
  • Energy-efficient appliances

It’s not “luxury,” but it’s smart, solid, and beautifully designed for actual people, not investors.

Available Condo/Coops & Requirements

How the Lottery & Approval Process Really Works

Before you start planning your housewarming playlist, here’s the real talk on how selection works for affordable homeownership co-ops:

1. You Apply on Housing Connect

Everyone who applies before the deadline is entered.

2. A Randomized Lottery Assigns a Log Number

Lower numbers get reviewed first, but there are no guarantees.

3. Eligibility Review

If your number advances, you’ll need to prove:

  • Your income fits the guidelines
  • Your assets fall within limits
  • Your household size matches the unit
  • Your 3% down payment has been seasoned in your account for 3 months

This is a full financial screening; basically a warmup for mortgage approval.

4. Mortgage Approval Required

Yes, you must qualify for a mortgage and show you can afford the mortgage plus the monthly maintenance fee.

Do You Need Co-op Board Approval? Yes, But Relax.

Traditional Manhattan co-ops are known for rejecting buyers based on personal preferences, vibes, horoscopes, or whatever else they feel like.

This is not that.

Affordable co-op boards under NYC’s ANCP program:

  • Cannot reject you for personal reasons
  • Cannot demand extra money or higher down payments
  • Cannot create additional financial barriers

They only confirm:

  • HPD approved you
  • Your paperwork is clean
  • Your mortgage is approved
  • You agree to the program rules

If HPD approves you, board approval is mostly a formality.
No interrogations. No judgment. No “we didn’t like your interview outfit.”

Real Talk:
If you qualify, you’re in. Period.

This Is the Part Where I Tell You to Apply

Because opportunities like this don’t come around often; and when they do, they disappear fast.

Deadline: January 28, 2026

Prefer a human to explain it? Two free info sessions are happening:

  • December 8 at 6 PM
  • January 12 at 6 PM

Registration links are on Housing Connect and in the listing. https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/

So… Think You Can’t Buy in Chelsea? Think Again.

What if this isn’t just another headline you scroll past?
What if this is the moment everyday New Yorkers finally get a shot at homeownership in one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods?

For once, the door’s not just cracked – it’s wide open.

Walk through it.

photo credit: Housing Connect NYC and Asian Americans for Equity

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