Connecting to my values

Settle in folks, there’s a story here.

But if you are in a TL;DR situation: I connected with Iridescent Care Collaborative because this group of providers is standing up for marginalized groups, and is committed to doing the lifelong work of trying to be better humans, and that matches my values.

It was not easy for me to decide to leave my career serving veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2025. I was honored to provide care to people who I knew needed good care after serving our country, even if I sometimes didn’t agree with our country’s military policy. And part of this work was a firm commitment, that we served all veterans who served who qualified to be seen in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As the year progressed I saw veterans who identify with marginalized groups feel unsafe using the restroom that matches their gender, have concerns about therapy being charted in the electronic health record, and about getting the care they need. I honor federal workers who are staying in the system to provide that care as best they can in a challenging system and I know they are doing all they can to deliver on Lincoln’s promise to care for those who served and their families.

Meanwhile, I’m glad to be in a community where I get to work with the full diversity of humans in Minnesota. I recognize that as a cishet white woman allyship is earned and named by others, not claimed by me. It’s lifelong work and I’m up for that journey (or is it down for that journey?).

Although I am my own business, (boss, therapist, and administrative assistant all in one), I wanted to connect with a group of people doing the work that is so important out here; helping people build lives that are meaningful, have as many moments of joy as freaking possible, and space to accept themselves as perfectly imperfect while continuously growing where needed or desired. So, I joined Iridescent because I can see their values align with my own and represent how I want to show up in the world.