From Her Journal
These are Risha's own words – her reflections, thoughts, and moments captured in her journals and social posts.
March 12, 2024
Quiet Mornings and Small Graces
The hospital is finally quiet. In these early hours, before the shift change and the morning rounds, I find a piece of myself again. I wrote today about the color of the sky just before sunrise—it was that deep, endless blue I love so much. It reminded me that even the longest night has a dawn, and even in the stillness of a clinical room, there is room to dream.
May 28, 2024
The Strength of the Sea
I saw a post today about the resilience of the ocean. It resonated so deeply. People see the surface—the blue, the calm—but they don't always see the waves crashing underneath or the pressure of the depths. I feel like that sea. Crashing, rising, falling, but always here. Forever blue. I want my legacy to be that strength—the ability to face the storm and still hold the light.
June 15, 2024
Advocacy and Purpose
Met with another family today struggling with the same rare diagnosis. It’s hard to see them in the same pain I know so well, but it gives my own struggle a different kind of meaning. My notes from physician assistant school are covered in doodles of blue tulips today. I’m learning so much about the science of the body, but my heart is focused on the science of hope.
July 02, 2024
A Sea of Calm
The waves are gentle today. Sitting by the window, I can almost feel the salt air. It's in these moments of quiet reflection that I find the most clarity. Writing helps me process the complexities of advocacy and personal growth.
July 10, 2024
The Beauty of Resilience
Like the flowers that bloom through the cracks in the pavement, we too find our way. Resilience isn't just about surviving; it's about thriving in spite of the challenges. Today I was reminded of the strength we all carry within.
July 22, 2024
Writing Bridges
Words have the power to connect us across distances and experiences. My journal entries are more than just notes; they are bridges to the heart. Today's session was about finding the right words for a difficult feeling, and letting them rest on the page.
August 05, 2024
The Light Within
Even when the shadows lengthen, there is always a spark. Today I found it in a conversation with a friend who understood my silence. It's important to nurture that inner light, to keep it burning steady against the wind. Advocacy starts with having a light to share.
August 14, 2024
Finding Balance
Today's notes are about the delicate act of balancing school, health, and advocacy. It isn't always equal, but it is always movement. I've learned to be patient with myself when one side of the scale dips lower than the other.
August 28, 2024
Moments of Peace
A quiet cup of tea, a favorite book, the way the light hits the floor in the afternoon. These small moments are my anchors. They give me the strength to face the bigger waves when they come. Today I'm grateful for the silence.
Sept 05, 2024
Dreams and Reality
The distance between my dreams and current reality sometimes feels vast. But every word written, every study session, and every day of advocacy closes that gap. I dream in shades of blue and work in the clarity of the morning.
Sept 15, 2024
The Path Forward
The path isn't always linear, and it isn't always clear. But as long as there is intent and purpose, there is progress. Today I wrote about the strength found in uncertainty, and the courage to take the next step regardless.
Sept 28, 2024
Courage in the Small Things
Real courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' It's in the small victories, like finishing a difficult chapter or advocating for a small change.
Oct 08, 2024
A Reflection on Hope
Hope isn't passive. It is an active decision to see the good, even when it's hidden. Writing about my hopes makes them feel more tangible, more real. Today I am hopeful for the progress being made in clinical research.
Oct 20, 2024
Strength in Stillness
The power of being still cannot be overstated. In the silence, we hear our own truth. Today was a day of listening to my heart, letting go of the noise, and finding strength in the quiet. Blue is the color of that stillness.
Nov 02, 2024
Gratitude and Grace
Gratitude transforms what we have into enough. Today I'm grateful for the grace I've been shown, and the grace I am learning to show myself. It is a soft place to land at the end of a hard day. Looking for the small blessings.
Nov 15, 2024
The Echo of a Small Voice
Advocacy is about making small voices heard until they become an echo. Today I spoke for someone else's pain, and found my own voice growing stronger. It is a privilege to use my words for a purpose beyond myself.
Nov 28, 2024
Blue Skies and New Beginnings
The sky is an endless expanse of blue today. It feels like a canvas for new beginnings. No matter how many pages have been filled, there is always a fresh one waiting. Today I'm starting a new chapter in my advocacy work.
Dec 12, 2024
Capturing the Essence
The essence of a person lives in their words and actions. Every entry I write is a way to capture that essence and hold it close. Today, I'm reflecting on the beauty of a legacy that continues to grow through the efforts of others.