“Keep Shining” (which will be a featured song in the musical) shares my struggle with rare illness and disability as well as my recovery and is a powerful reminder to never give up. I’ve included it here both to share some of my story and because it was a spark… when I shared this video with a nurse during one of my monthly infusions, she told me that my video and song could help patients get in touch with feelings around their illnesses that they may not otherwise be able to access or be aware of. The impact of her statement stayed with me… and sparked The Grieving Project. Equally important, it was the first time I allowed myself to let the hard feelings in-to acknowledge my own pain-my darkness from when I was in the hospital years earlier. To start to grieve my illness… It was then I realized, oh my God–this video is my story, but I forgot to grieve. Who would I be if I hadn’t?