Mallory Cyr, MPH

Today, I graduated.  I graduated with my Master’s Degree in public health from Boston University.  Not “regular” graduated, but graduated from overpriced extra college, from one of the top Public Health schools in the country.

While I joke that it was not challenging, because academically, a lot of the content I already was familiar with because of my national MCH role, it actually was pretty tough at times.  Can you do a multi linear regression? Ok.

But for me it was about so much more than a few biostats equations.  I struggled a lot with WHY I was doing this, which many of you know.  Last weekend, a dear friend and colleague of mine, a “title V mom,” posted on Facebook about how much it meant to her to see other families share the milestones of their young people because it was an image of hope, and of what could be possible for her child, and for others.

And all of a sudden I remembered why I got myself into this situation in the first place.  It is not about me. (Really, I swear).

Today, at graduation, our speaker, Monica Bharel, the Public Health Commissioner, for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, said, “Choose courage, Choose hope.  Choose selflessness.” And had us think about “What are you passionate about?”  (My answer was, “Nothing. I shouldn’t be here.”)  then helped us define that by asking “What makes you angry?”  ….and the list flowed in my brain.

I remembered.  I did this, to show the potential of young people no matter their limitations.  Let the façade fall aside, it SUCKED so hard sometimes.  I cried, I hated it. I questioned my choices on many, many occasions. I thought about quitting and just moving home.  I thought about “What would happen if I went home and just stopped replying to e-mails.”  But then… I would get a message from one of “my young people.”  One of the selected for Dumbledore’s Army, simply asking about how to succeed in a class in which the teacher was not accommodating, or wondering what to do after graduation because they had real hopes and dreams that others did not support.  And I remembered.

 

I am here, and I did this, WE did this, to show it’s POSSIBLE.  With love, strength, support, work, and determination.  It can be done. I also want to mention.  During the time I was in school, Owen and I had no formal assistance.  We had no PCA’s, no nursing help.  We worked multiple jobs, and truly did this independently (except for the endless love and support from our networks and friends and families)

I want the lessons that we learned to serve as a beacon, a tool, an “inspiration,” to show others what can be possible for them, or their children.  What makes me mad?  When those amazing people are told they can’t, or even just made to think they can’t. And you know what else I realized, sitting there today?   The only person who EVER told me I can’t…. was me.  Now… I don’t believe that either.  Cause I DID IT.

The final part of my graduation ceremony, our incredible associate dean, asked us to accept the charge of being world changing MPH’ers.  I closed my eyes, and thought about if I really, truly was ready to accept the challenge.  He asked us, “Do you promise to use your new passion, energy, and knowledge to create a healthier world?”   And we all looked at each other and muttered “I will.”  He looked at the faculty and said, “They don’t believe you. No… actually. We KNOW you will, but we need you to know you will.”

I stood quietly, and the tears came.  For the past three years I have asked myself this same question.  Why me?  Can I?  Should I?  Do I make a difference? Do I want to make a difference?

Moments before I marched into the arena, my best friend, and counterpart, just beginning the journey towards her MPH, wrote on my Facebook newsfeed, “You changed my life Mal.  #forgood.”  And I knew, I was ready to accept the charge.  We all shouted and cheered.  “I will!!!!!”

Was this my “dream?” No… not really.  But life is what happens when you are making other plans, and I believe in the universe, and that I was brought here for a reason.  I am working to make sure that my dreams align with what the universe has in store for me, and THAT is my passion.  That is my charge.  As I move forward with my incredibly hard earned MPH, I hope ALL young people have the strength and courage to think about what makes them want to get up in the morning, that they can laugh when things get tough, or know that they are loved, and valued and wanted no matter what they do.

Just because my path is not mentioned in a speech does not make it less important.  It is what has brought me here today.

So for all of you, who believed in me, and who believe in your own children no matter how terrified you may be for them to take the Next Step, this degree is for you.  It truly, truly is. 

Thank you.  I love you all.  Now let’s get this MPH Party started.

-Mallory H. Cyr, MPH

I leave you with this:

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
but I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm all right song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Happy Bloggiversary!

It was a year ago earlier this week that I relaunched my blog as the new, Curb Cuts and Cocktails, and "came out," as someone who was pretty confused about what she had gotten herself into!  It really feels like just yesterday I took the bold step to start writing as who I really am, instead of who I thought the internet, and the world wanted me to be.

After that post, I made a vow to move forward with my work, education, and life, as authentically as possibly, and I must say, while it has not always been easy, it has been awesome.  I feel like I have done better in my education, work, and everything else.  I just feel LIGHTER.

Last month, while Owen and I were cooped up due to the snowiest winter in the history of Boston, I began writing.  Like really writing- beyond blogging.  It is going to be for one of my final projects for school, but I believe it also has the potential to be much more.  I submitted to my advisor, fifty pages, single spaced, just the tip of the iceberg of what we have experienced moving here.  I realized it was the first time I have really begun to process the whole experience in its entirety.   It was exhausting, emotional, but also cathartic as I realized how much I have overcome, and I'm not entirely crazy for having some fear and anxiety moving forward.

Just wow.

So in celebration of the 1 year anniversary, and the snow finally melting, Owen and I decided to do a follow up video blog to the brief story the Boston Herald did on us at the end of February.   There is too much that needs to be said to let someone tell the story.

I have been thinking about doing some more video blogs.  If you follow my Yoututbe channel, you'll know this is something I used to do quite frequently, as I was home and had endless amounts of time to talk to a screen, because that's where my friends lived. I also have realized I have acquired quite a list of questions that I have gotten from young adults, providers and all kinds of different people just about how we live our lives- so maybe it's time to relaunch "Ask Mal,"  (also, they're just super fun to do!  So if this is something my readers would be interested in, do let me know!  Who knows what spring could bring.

Regardless of what's to come, thanks for hanging in there with me through all of this existential nonsense! It sure has been a ride hasn't it?

Here's to many more blogtastic years!!!

xoxo

#BOSnow

So.  How bout those Patriots huh?

How bout this WINTAH?  IS IT NOT A WICKED PISSAH?

(except… isn’t that a good thing?  I don’t know how to New England…)

But really.  This snow.  It’s all anyone is talking about, it’s all over the internet, and I feel like I need to release some sort of statement.

When the storm first started, we actually were in DC at the 2015 AMCHP conference (flashback to 2013 when I left poor Owen to brave Blizzard Nemo alone…. He knew better this time)

The conference itself was wonderful.  I almost didn’t go, because I have been trying to distance myself from a lot of things from my past, and the work that I believed to be that of someone else.  What I realized was that, there was a reason our proposal got accepted, and that our presentation was once again standing room only, and that as soon as I walked through the door of the Hyatt Regency, people were asking me the questions that I have been invited all over the country to answer.

I got to spend so much time with some of the most powerful, amazing women I know, I got to FINALLY meet my MCH soul twin, Teresa, and it was just good.  

It was good because for the first time, I was really, and truly, ME.  I know I needed to take that AMCHP “gap year,” to figure out who I am, and where I fit into all of this public health nonsense, and while I don’t think I have the answers, I know, that I missed “my people,” and there are folks who share the same beliefs as I do, and can be in public health and still be REAL and I know… that I can’t run from this work, that I’m not meant to, and that my message is just coming together, to be heard.  In whatever way it’s meant to.  And I’ll figure it out.

But back to this SNOW.  So we got stuck in DC.  Luckily we were able to land our room for another night, and were safe and cozy in a lovely hotel (my favorite place to be stuck)  rather than sitting in an airport with the entire east coast trying to get home.

And then… we basically have been home. Since January 28.

I have been fortunate to be able to work from home, and the city has actually recognized this weather as being COMPLETELY ridiculous, and things have been shut down and cancelled (which didn’t always happen where I used to come from) So it will officially be two weeks tomorrow- and I left the house twice. Once to go to class, and once to go to a concert because… Joshua Radin, and $31 tickets.

So being inside for two weeks, I have come to more conclusions.  Not dark, twisty conclusions like my last entry, although those were pretty cathartic as well.  Just conclusions of how I feel about winter, New England, and people who judge others because of those feelings.

Snowpocalypse 2015 Conclusions:

- “Stay Warm,” is a perfectly acceptable e-mail sign off.  Most likely we’re all working from home and looking at the piles build up outside.  Solidarity bro. 

- Some uber rates are just not worth going out.  I have never seen a 3.6x uber price surge before, but with a wind chill warning, 5 degree temperatures, and completely optional appointments to go to- they’re getting cancelled.  As sweet as it was for that driver to hold my hand and assist me over the snow banks to get to the sidewalk to go to class, I’m sure they much prefer remaining in the vehicle and exchanging a “thanks, goodbye,” as much as I do.

- There are just certain things people should resist saying as it does NOT make the situation better, and will mostly just cause me to feel rage and distain.  So I am going to take these comments and make them “teaching moments,” because I am feeling particularly zen right now (probably due to the fact that I have not been out in Boston public for two weeks).

·      “You’re from Maine, you must be used to it.”   OMG BUT REALLY THOUGH. STFU. You might as well have just asked me “How’s the weather down there?” I cannot.  Yes. I am “from Maine.”  Yes.  We got WINTAH.  And yes, it sucked as much.  Here is the thing though- my PARENTS MOVED ME TO MAINE.  I was four.  But if you ask anyone who knows me (including my parents) they will tell you I was born on the wrong coast.   Ask my parents about how impossible it was for me to walk in the snow, and they used to pull me in the sled until it tipped over and they had to put me back in in my neon pink snow pants that barely zipped because they are not made for people with GI issues.  Or the time we had an ice storm when we lost power for a week and had to go live at the hospital because we needed power to keep our IV pumps running so we could live. Or that time I was in college up NOHTH, and we would lose power so there was no heat and it was too cold to shower before class (yea… we were sexy….)

So what’s my point?  Yea, I’m FROM MAINE.  AND I LEFT.  I am not a stranger to snow… but it does NOT mean I ENJOY it anymore than you do.  I was not a four old who begged my family to bring me to the northern most state because I wanted a pet moose.  It sucked there, it sucks here and no, being from Maine does not make me immune to hypothermia or slipping on ice.  I didn’t develop a layer of blubber or thicker body hair to keep warm (although, I think if you stay there long enough it might be a thing)  so just STOP. ACKNOWLEDGING I AM FROM MAINE.  IT DOES NOT MELT SNOW.

With that, is the next comment.  Which is even more rage inducing.  “Well, if you don’t like it, JUST MOVE.”

JUST. MOVE. 

Ok.  I’m going to take a deep breath now.  Because. Zen.

Perhaps you have been living under a rock, and not reading this blog for the last 9 years about how bad I wanted to JUST MOVE.

Perhaps you have the luxury of just packing a suit case and “going to find yourself.”  I bet you also have the luxury of lacing up your bean boots, shoveling your own driveway and braving the B line with all the other mildly disgruntled commuters.  Must be nice.

For those of you who have been trying to get around the city recently, please imagine what it must be like for someone who has ANY added challenges. 

The curb cuts are not accessible, and there is no room to even put the ramps down to get ON the train.  To be honest, after the last couple of weeks, the conversation to relocate has definitely come up.  Along with EVERYTHING that would entail.  For those other few people who have been living under a rock…. I happen to work in health care transition and can tell you. It’s 

NOT. 

That. 

Simple.

The first person to come at me with a job offer with amazing benefits (who is willing to accommodate chronic health needs), a ball-busting PCP who believes in medical home, a fully accessible apartment and 3 months rent for first, last and a security deposit. 

BY ALL MEANS, we will pack our bags and JUST MOVE. 

SAY THE WORD.

But considering it has taken us about 3 years to even get our ducks in a row living here, and oh you know, I need to graduate which is why we came here in the first place, we will be sucking up these last few months of Boston winter and seeing what the next few months hold.

Considering everything else we have been through- the last couple weeks seem like a pretty sweet deal.

Which brings me to my last conclusion.

The last couple of weeks have been REALLY NICE.  Really though.  I think my immune system is grateful I have not left the house.  I have slept adequately, I have been productive in my work, and academia, AND I have been able to stay caught with house things like laundry (which is so quick to do when it’s not piled up the ceiling) and Owen and I have been able to share dinner, and brunches and laugh, and watch movies, and the crazy thing is-  WE’RE NOT SICK!!!!

I have been able to take care of myself and not feel guilty about it.  It’s very odd, and NICE.  It is making me realize that maybe being Queen of the Universe is not necessary for happiness.  Maybe my body….and soul needs a peaceful, kind, quiet type of existence to thrive.  Maybe it isn’t about going to ALL THE THINGS but finding the things that bring your heart joy.  And being able to take the time to realize what those things are.

I keep waiting for the “cabin fever” to set in, but truthfully, I don’t feel like we’re missing anything by being inside, which may be the biggest realization of all. 

We are warm.  We are safe.  We are together.  We have food, beer, and toilet paper.

So yea.  I may have bitched about the snow, because I know it will inevitably turn into mud, and slush, and Scootzilla will probably get stuck, but as for being inside for two weeks.  

Well.  I can’t really lie when I say it’s been the best New England winter we’ve had so far.

And that’s the wicked truth Bub.

AYUH.

Is it Spring Yet?

I do this thing every year, when I just disappear from the blogosphere in the winter- mostly because everything just gets crazy and feels so overwhelming.  And I promise myself “I’ll write when I’m done,” and I withhold it from myself, because it feels like a matter of survival to get everything done.

What I’ve learned about myself though, is that that’s not fair, because I NEED writing to survive.  Just the feeling and the sound of the keyboard, I’m pretty sure lowers my blood pressure and makes me feel more energy, and more in control of everything in my life.  I can’t really explain it.

Another thing I’ve learned about my blog self, is that I tend to wait and try to write only when things are good.  Well… as much as that may make for a nice blog to read, it’s not accurate, and it’s not helping what I’m trying to do and be, which is create authenticity within the cybernet.  As I read recently, what you see on social media, is peoples’ highlight reels, so here is everything that got left on the cutting room floor…

The truth is.  This fall SUCKED. A lot.  While I am definitely a glass half full person, this semester put me in a place that I have not been in for a long time, which was kind of scary.

It kicked off, the last week of September I ended up in the hospital.   For stupid reasons and the whole thing was just entirely stupid and made me realize there is need for some SERIOUS need for policy change at one of the best hospitals in the world.  So that’s fun.  This was like the second week of classes. 

Following that, I had just gone back to biostats after being sick (yea, also, I took biostats…)  and my family suffered a huge loss.  We lost the nana.  Today is her birthday actually.

IT SUCKS.  I have never lost anybody that close to me, and for those who have, I am sure you get it, and I feel silly for being so naïve, but I was literally out of commission for 2 weeks.  I hung up the phone with my mother and just stood there, hysterical.  I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think.

I ordered tacos.  Nana would’ve wanted that.  Food and beverage are always the answer.   We needed food.  We needed to get on a bus to go to Maine.  I ordered a big pile of tacos since it was National Taco Day and we threw a lot of sweatpants in a suitcase and some black stuff.  It was easily the worst packing job I’ve ever done.  Then we went to Maine, and I didn’t know when we were coming back, and I didn’t care, and I already didn’t really want to.

The next couple of weeks were a lot of crying, and walking around hugging each other (prompting more crying). I stared at my biostats homework, pretending I understood it, pretending I could actually get something done.

I felt helpless, I felt sick, I felt exhausted. I felt like I had nothing left.  School just didn’t matter.

Eventually we came back.  It didn’t get easier, but I kept trying to get my head in the game.  I just didn’t care.  It was the worse case of academic apathy I have ever experienced.

It wasn’t that I had senioritis it was just… I didn’t see the point anymore.  I was taking 2 classes that I pretty much hated. Every time I felt like I was in control of something, and doing well, something would happen and I felt like I was taking 3 steps back. I wasn’t being creative, I didn’t get to really write anything all semester.  And I already had a job, or two.  I just, suddenly realized, I didn’t know why I was doing any of this. 

For the first time in three years, I actually Googled how to withdraw from school.

Eventually, the sister and I knew we had to rally, and we talked a lot and supported each other to just get through the final semesters.  (“We’ve always been overachievers Mal, now we just need to achieve.”)

So I did.  I’ve never quit anything in my life…  I don’t even think I can.  Is there like some sort of underachievement mentor that helps you like… drop out of stuff? I don’t know.

Then came the holidays, which were absolutely wonderful, on both sides.  It was very different and we continue to hold each other up to find the new normal, but it was exactly what I think we needed.  We just didn’t worry about anything, we relaxed and bought each other excessive amounts of material goods, and CELEBRATED. 

Now of course, I’m sick again, as is tradition.  So I spent the first 2 weeks of the new year, laying in bed, once again questioning everything in my life. I’m in a better place this semester and am working on a lot of things that excite me, and I’m writing like crazy which helps me breathe.

But all of this, everything that happened this fall, the time spent with family.  Seeing how the Nana lived her life, has made me start asking bigger questions.  Who am I?  What do I want to be doing? How should I live my life?  Where will we ultimately end up?  What makes me happy… what makes Owen happy?

If we’re being super transparent here… sometimes I feel guilty about the answers.  I really like going to shows and fancy restaurants, and taking trips and having nice things.  Of course I value people over stuff (but as a dear friend of mine once said “I really like stuff too.”)  I also have realized that not doing anything is totally addicting (except... I can't do nothing... even when I was sick, it was the most productive week I've had in a long time)

I don’t think I’ll ever be the kind of girl who can live in the middle of nowhere, doing the same thing week after week. I have no desire to go to Africa and build houses, or join the peace corps, or have 5 kids and buy a big house in the burbs.  Does that make me a bad person?  I'd like to think not.

And I think back to Nana, who bartended and volunteered and entertained, and traveled, and parasailed when she was in her 60’s.  She had a card party three days before she left us, and then when she realized she may not be able to do those kinds of things anymore- she decided she was done.

I guess it’s not in my blood.

So I’m not quitting.  And I’m not letting it break me.  When I finish school is when I finish. 

And before then.  I’m just gonna live life, the way we do.

Til Next time.