Why I Need Weirdo Scouts
To explain why I need to create Weirdo Scouts, I have to share some things I’ve kept locked away for most of my life, things you might not know unless you’ve seen me in my natural habitat.
I live with chronic pain every minute of every day. I could write a whole post just about that, but here’s the short version: I have Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, along with other health issues. If I’m lucky, after proper medication, lots of stretching, and at least 12 hours of sleep, I can function at about 70% of what society considers “normal.” When I’m not using all my brainpower to remember where I put my keys or form sentences, I can be a lot of fun. I’ve always tried to learn as much as possible about everything, knowing my brain might tuck most of it away under a fog. But those little bits that do stick around? I make sure they’re useful.
When I’m out and about, I bounce around, chatting with everyone and cracking jokes, doing my best impression of a human carnival ride. But when my brain hits its limit, I stumble over words, misunderstand simple questions, knock things over, and generally drift off. People often think I’m drunk or just not all there. School was tough despite consistently testing well. I can come off as flighty or ditzy, like a well-fed house cat lounging around.
It’s lonely when you feel like you can’t keep up with everyone else. When your brain works differently, asking for help can feel impossible. Historically, people who didn’t fit the mold often faced isolation and struggled without support. The world wasn’t kind to those who were different.
But as time marched on, we found ways to make life easier for everyone. Agriculture, industrialization, technology—none of these advancements would’ve been possible without passing down knowledge and striving to do better. We discovered that no matter how different we appear, we all want the same things: support, love, and the chance to follow our passions and live a good life. We all just want to be happy.
For me, the world’s interconnectedness highlighted how fortunate I’ve been. Growing up, I had the chance to travel, experiencing the similarities and differences in cultures, thanks to my parents’ love of road trips and the global perspective they nurtured in me. Even without a diagnosis, they trusted I was trying my best, and that trust taught me the importance of believing in others’ efforts.
This belief in the power of kindness and understanding planted the seed for Weirdo Scouts. It’s become a running joke that my whole life has been training for this moment, but it’s true. I know how scary and painful it can be to feel different, to put your trust in humanity when it doesn’t feel safe; but I also believe there are others out there who see the beauty in growth and want to make the world a kinder place without sacrificing what makes us unique.
Honestly, I’m terrified. I want to build a community where those who feel different can find their place as leaders for good. But right now, there’s no guarantee this dream can sustain itself financially. For six months, I’ve been prepping, studying, setting up everything needed to create this community—without actually launching anything. It’s scary to think all this effort might amount to nothing.
But I can’t let go of this dream. No matter how many times that little voice tells me to give up and conform, I can’t. Trying to fit a square peg in a round hole doesn’t work for me. I need to help others who feel misunderstood or unique because I believe we can make a difference together. I want to bring the same joy and passion to the world that my heroes did.
The only thing missing is you. I can dream big, but a community of one isn’t a community at all. If you choose to become a Weirdo Scout, know that I’ll keep striving to earn your trust and prove our worth in this world. This is about finding a place where we all fit, and I’m trusting that I’m not alone in wanting to see humanity thrive.
If you’re interested in joining, all I ask is that you do what you can. Even just sharing a post or buying a patch helps. As a fellow weirdo doing my best to survive, I appreciate whatever you can spare. Thank you for giving this a chance. Just by reading this, you’ve already made one life a little brighter.
