oldswirlo

Hey Dylan! I work for a nonprofit in California that serves current and former foster youth. Specifically, I manage a transitional housing program that provides support for emancipated youth, ages 18-24. I love my job and am inspired and challenged by the youth I work with every day. I'm not sure if you're aware, but California also recently extended foster care until the age of 21, since many were aging out into homelessness and worse. Are there similar laws/initiatives in Ohio?

My friend Skeeter was also on the trail and should be finishing any day now, happen to run into him? :) Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment!

I am a second generation Ukrainian American; my grandparents were from western Ukraine and fled because of oppression not entirely dissimilar to what you are experiencing. What can members of the diaspora community here in the U.S., or anyone for that matter, do to help?

Hello! I have a question related to surgically induced hypothyroidism. I also have this condition, following my own total thyroidectomy in 2007 (I had thyroid cancer). How are you coping with the thyroid hormone replacement drugs? I take levothyroxine and have thus far been pretty lucky with it, although I've had my dosage adjusted several times. I've heard it can be a very difficult adjustment for some, so I'm curious about your experience.

I have a question regarding exposure to bacteria in the environment and how it affects gut health. I work on a farm and although afflicted with many autoimmune conditions, find that I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle with minimal problems and flare ups. My sister on the other hand, having many of the same conditions, seems to suffer a lot and insists on a hyper-sterile environment. She barely goes outside and washes her hands obsessively, showers twice a day, etc.

I’ve anecdotally concluded that it may be my constant low-level exposure to healthy “dirt” that helps me stay well. Is there any science to back this up?