#healthcare documentation certification

[muhdanas]

International Diploma in Healthcare Documentation: A Pathway to a Successful Healthcare Career

[hagueapostilleservicesblog]

Get Your Specialized Certifications Apostille Online

1. What is a Pharmaceutical Product Certificate Apostille? A Pharmaceutical Product Certificate (PPC) Apostille is an official certification that authenticates the validity of a PPC for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. This certification ensures that the certificate is legally recognized abroad, facilitating international trade, regulatory approvals, and…

[transcriptioncity]

Translation Services for Clinical Studies and Clinical Reviews

Accurate translation services for clinical studies are crucial for medical research. Precise translations ensure that clinical reviews maintain the integrity and reliability of the original data. Inaccuracies can lead to misinterpretation; compromising patient safety and the efficacy of treatments. Leveraging professional translation services can enhance communication between international…

[jcmarchi]

Erez Druk, Co-Founder & CEO of Freed AI – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/erez-druk-co-founder-ceo-of-freed-ai-interview-series/

Erez Druk, Co-Founder & CEO of Freed AI – Interview Series

Erez Druk is the Co-Founder & CEO of Freed AI.

Freed’s AI transcribes patient visit discussions, identifying key terms to create organized notes, including SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) documentation. This saves time and allows the clinician to fully focus on the patient.

Can you share the story of how moving to California to work at Facebook ignited your passion for startups and entrepreneurship?

When I moved to the US to work for Facebook, I lived with a Polish guy at the company’s corporate housing. He gave me a book called “The Lean Startup.” I read it in a few days and have been obsessed with startups since.

My passion for startups is that they very simple, but yet, running a startup is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, the most intense school I’ve been to, and if it works out, it’s the most impactful thing I could be spending my time on.

Your first startup UrbanLeap was a government procurement platform, can you discuss what this was and what were some of your key highlights from this period in your life?

The US government spends 4 trillion dollars a year through a process called public procurement. This process exists to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent properly, but it also results in a massive waste of time and multi-million projects with no return on investment.

UrbanLeap helped 40+ local governments run procurement more efficiently and intelligently. We never managed to get it to scale and decided to shut it down.

One key highlight was to never build a product for a user I don’t know very well and care deeply about.

Can you share the genesis story behind Freed AI?

Gabi and I met 7 years ago, just before she started med school. We had a few months to fall in love before life became kind of terrible 🙂

I’ve watched Gabi and many of our friends chart at night, over the weekend, on vacation. I heard the sentence “I have notes to do” every day in the last 7 years.

So after 7 years, it seemed like a good idea to try and Free clinicians (wife included) from charting.

What are the main challenges Freed AI faces in accurately transcribing and summarizing complex medical dialogues?

Many. Clinician preferences, evolving medical terms, consistency, accurately identifying who said what, AI hallucinations, never dropping important information, not including redundant information, and more.

All these challenges are solvable, and I wish that we could solve them overnight.

What steps does Freed take to ensure that the medically relevant information extracted and summarized is accurate and secure?

Starting with accuracy, we generate more than 1 million notes every month and collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from all of them. This allows us to improve and learn quickly.

Every time we see an error we aim to develop a system to both prevent and identify a similar error.

We also make sure that the clinician has to review the note and place it into the chart themselves. Our goal is to create a great first draft for the clinician to use, but always keep the clinician in the loop.

This is a big topic we could go much deeper into.

Continuing with security, we follow industry best practices, have experts on the team, and have obtained 3rd party security certifications (SOC2 and HIPAA) and audits.

Our application architecture is very simple, which makes it relatively easy to keep it tightly secured, as long as we make it a top priority, which we do.

Given the sensitive nature of medical documentation, how does Freed ensure compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA?

HIPAA is in essence a data handling standard. Our CTO is responsible to make sure that we fully follow the standard and we performed a 3rd party audit to ensure that our software is HIPAA compliant.

We also take extra measures on top of HIPAA such as not storing patient recordings, automatically and permanently deleting notes after 30 days, and more,

Could you explain how Freed AI’s transcription technology differentiates from other voice-to-text services available in the healthcare market?

Feed aims to be the best AI scribe for the clinician, not the clinic. We obsess about listening to our clinicians and building a product that truly frees them.

Specifically, we build Freed to be the simplest to use, most clinically accurate, and affordable solution in the market.

The market is definitely getting crowded and with good alternatives, but we have good things coming 🙂

Can you discuss any feedback from clinicians who have used Freed AI, particularly regarding its ease of integration with existing EHR systems?

Placing the note in the EHR is half of the charting problem and one that we need to solve as well.

Clinicians do tell us that our copy-pasting features are good enough, but they are asking for integrations as well, and it pains me to think that clinicians copy notes from Freed into their EHR 70,000 times every day.

We have our first integration in beta and more coming soon. Please join the waiting list if you’d like to try.

How do you see Freed AI impacting the work-life balance of clinicians in the long term?

I’d like my wife to be Freed from looking at the EHR, never do admin work, and go home when her last patient does.

How does Freed AI plan to expand its services or functionality to meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers?

Imagine the greatest medical assistant in the world. One that understands the clinician, knows every patient and handles every administrative task for the clinicians.

We want Freed to be that assistant, and for every clinician to have one. Or two.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Freed.

[crowboy-bebop]

U.S.-based friends! For no particular reason, I'm compiling a list of resources that might be helpful to people in the coming four-ish years or so.

Medical Resources

Medical Information Removed By The Trump Administration

Jessica Valenti's Substack - a collection of the pages removed from the CDC's website. Includes documents on contraception and reproductive rights, sexual health, and intimate partner violence.

HRT

Trans Harm Reduction - website for HRT information, such as source testing, information on safe injection practices and disposal, and resources for sourcing injection suppplies. They also share links to healthcare resources.

DIY HRT: Everything I Can Legally Tell You by Lily Alexandre - information on self-medicating without a prescription. If this is unavailable, PLEASE let me know.

Reproductive

Plan C - an online database of telehealth providers, community networks, and websites that provide abortion pills by mail

Legit.Clinic - an easy way to check if a clinic is actually a crisis pregnancy center; uses Reproaction's database listed below

Crisis Pregnancy Centers

These are anti-choice organizations, usually run by or in connection to churches, who use misleading tactics and fearmongering to scare people out of seeking abortions. They often advertise things like "abortion counseling" (which is really just talking people out of abortion), and abortion pill "reversal." Their main purpose is to either scare you out of seeking an abortion, or to stall you long enough that the process to get an abortion is more difficult.

Reproaction's Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Center Database - an online database of anti-abortion "crisis pregnancy centers" that rely on misleading information to talk pregnant people out of getting an abortion

Expose Fake Clinics - an online resource for leaving reviews of crisis pregnancy centers and their misleading claims

Name and Gender Changes

Federal

SSA Sex Designation Change Questionnaire (archived) - as of Jan 26th 2025, this page has been taken down on the official Social Security website. That does NOT mean you cannot change your gender marker, it is just being purposefully obscured. One thing to note; even before the current administration, there was no option for an unspecified gender designation, so X will not be an option unfortunately.

Social Security Card Replacement - this is the form you will need to fill out in order to change your name or gender designation.

State

A4TE's ID Documents Center - state-specific information on how to change your name and gender marker on ID documents like birth certificates, driver's licenses, etc. Also has information on passports, but that is unfortunately outdated as of January 26 2025. (thanks, @wannabeast13!)

Miscellaneous

r/DataHoarder - a subreddit dedicated to archiving digital information. They've been heavily focused on documenting information that has been removed due to the Trump administration.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. I'm compiling resources as I find them. If you have anything you think should be added, send me a message!

Lastly,

It's Okay To Take A Step Back

Don't let the continuous onslaught of bad news send you into a doom spiral! Take a deep breath. Get some water. Log off, get together with friends, join or start local communities. The world isn't all bad, even if it feels like it is. The most important thing right now is that we stay together and not let the bad overwhelm us into apathy.

[glowettee]

✧ pre-med extracurriculars: for my future doctor angels ✧

hi my lovely pre-med angels!! 🤍 it's mindy hereee!

today's post is extra special because so many of you have been asking about extracurriculars for medical school!! if you know, my ultimate dream is to become a doctor, i'd love to either be a psychiatrist or a cardiologist, so anything medical-related is my favorite cup of coffee!! i'm literally so excited to share this comprehensive guide that will help you shine on your future applications. this post is for you if you're in high school or college, this guide will be your bestie through the journey!!

~ ♡ for my precious high school sweethearts ♡ ~

hospital + healthcare volunteering (my absolute fave!!) • aim for 100-150 hours minimum • try different departments to explore • build relationships with nurses + staff • pro tip: volunteer during summer break for more hours • keep a reflection journal of your experiences • bonus: ask for recommendation letters if you connect well!!

research opportunities • reach out to local universities • email professors about summer programs • join science fairs with medical projects • create your own research project • tip: start with literature reviews if labs aren't available • document everything for future applications!!

leadership + school involvement • start a medical interest club • lead health awareness campaigns • organize blood drives • create mental health support groups • join science olympiad • participate in biology competitions • personal story: i started a "future doctors club" + it literally changed my life!!

~ ♡ for my darling college angels ♡ ~

clinical experience (super important!!) • medical scribing (literally the best!!) • certified nursing assistant (CNA) • emergency medical technician (EMT) • phlebotomy certification + gain a bunch of different certifications online • medical assistant • tip: aim for 200+ hours minimum • pro secret: try different specialties!!

research involvement • join multiple labs if possible • aim for publication opportunities • present at conferences • write abstracts + papers • network with graduate students • maintain good relationships with PIs • secret tip: join journal clubs!!

leadership positions • pre-med society officer • tutoring coordinator • mentorship program leader • research team leader • volunteer coordinator • tip: create new positions if none exist!!

~ ♡ extra special activities for everyone ♡ ~

medical mission trips (life-changing!!)

start a health education blog

create medical awareness social media

join medical podcasting

organize health fairs

volunteer at free/non-profit clinics

shadow different specialists

join pre-med summer programs

work as a pharmacy technician

volunteer at nursing homes

organize medical supply drives

create health education programs

~ ♡ my personal tips + secrets ♡ ~

quality over quantity always!!

maintain each activity for at least 6 months

document everything (literally everything!!)

take lots of pictures (for memories + portfolio)

get contact info from supervisors

keep detailed reflection journals

network with other pre-meds

create spreadsheets to track hours

always ask for recommendation letters

maintain professional relationships

~ ♡ time management secrets ♡ ~

use google calendar religiously

block schedule your activities

don't overcommit (seriously!!)

maintain 2-3 main activities

rotate seasonal activities

leave time for self-care

schedule study breaks

plan one year ahead

keep backup activities ready

remember my loves: medical schools want to see dedication + passion!! don't just collect activities like pokemon cards (even tho that would be cute). focus on meaningful experiences that truly speak to your heart!!

pro tip: start a bullet journal to track your journey!! include your thoughts, feelings, and learning experiences. future you will literally cry happy tears when writing your personal statement!!

also!! please please please remember that your mental health comes first!! it's okay to take breaks, it's okay to say no, and it's absolutely okay to prioritize self-care. you'll be a better doctor if you learn these habits now!!

sending you the biggest virtual hugs + all my love!! you're doing amazing sweetie, and your future patients will be so lucky to have you!!

feel free to send more asks if you need specific advice!! i'm always here to support my precious future doctors and followers i call my sweetheart community!!

xoxo, mindy 🤍

p.s. remember to hydrate, get enough sleep, and take your vitamins!! doctor's orders!! <3

p.p.s. i'll be sharing more detailed guides about each activity soon, so stay tuned my loves!!

btw, if you need personal study advice or anything, submit to glowettee hotline 💌: https://bit.ly/glowetteehotline

[jd-vance-official]

Not JD Vance here, just the intern they hire to run this account: I am a transgender person. For several years, I hemmed and hawed about changing my legal name or amending my birth certificate with a new sex marker... but I didn't. I could see the writing on the wall in the future. As far as documents are concerned, I am not transgender, which is obviously not true to my identity and presents its own challenges, namely safety and healthcare, but it has also proved extremely helpful to myself in the past few weeks.

Increasingly, there are many trans people in the U.S reporting that they are not allowed to have passports with their new sex on them because they are trans, yet simultaneously not allowed to have passports with their old sex on them because then, the passports wouldn't match their birth certificates. If you didn't have a passport already (valid for 10 years), people in this limbo may be blocked from getting one now. But even then, there are fears that existing passports can be revoked.

In the US, birth certificates and photo ID like driver licenses are issued by the states, while passports are issued by the feds. I live in a mixed-but-blue (democrat) leaning state, as do majority of Americans. If I had elected to change my state-issued docs to reflect my preferred sex, as is perfectly legal and accommodated in my state, I would now have extreme difficulties because of the federal regulations.

I absolutely don't mean to say that I am better than anyone, smarter for having this foresight. Instead, this is all to highlight that there are deep inequities in the united states, and this issue is a clear example of how state sovereignty is being threatened in the United States. I would go further to argue that these inequities prove that the state-and-federal separation model is, ironically, undemocratic and directly fails people globally. But I digress.

It's not just trans people in the United States with these issues. It is Black people. Disabled People. People on government poverty assistance. Undocumented people. Some states allow undocumented people, people who are in the US "illegally", to have a driver's license! Some states don't. You can imagine how not being able to operate a vehicle legally -- in the guns, burgers, and car capital of the world -- might pose a disastrous outlook on some families.

To all international onlookers of the United States fuckery right now, please know that we are scared and many of us genuinely believe it is unsafe here. Some of us cannot get passports and cannot have safe passage out of our country. Please help us fight this.

Girl with a pending passport application was denied.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/01/24/trump-order-passports-x-gender/#:~:text=According%20to%20Rubio%E2%80%99s%20email%3A%20%E2%80%9CGuidance%20on%20existing%20passports%20containing%20an%20X%20sex%20marker%20will%20come%20via%20other%20channels.%E2%80%9D

Many are concerned current passports will be voided. The White House may say that the ruling only affects new passports and not existing passports - The White House has been known to lie. Regulation and law can be executive order-itized, as 47 has been happy to flex recently.

[cowboyjen68]

Hi, I want to advise you, Miss Jen . I am a 19-year-old girl, and I am a lesbian, but unfortunately, my family does not accept this idea and do not like gay people, and I have not yet told them this. I don't know what to do. I want to tell them, but at the same time, I'm afraid of their reaction. The problem is that I don't have close friends to tell this to.

So can you please give me some advice?

Because I have been following you for a while, and you make me feel comfortable when you share your stories and advice here or on TikTok. I really love you and wish you all the best 💕💕

I had a few moments on Monday so i did a quick Tiktok addressing your question.

My advice it to not tell them. Your first priority is to stay safe and maintain stability (housing, healthcare, education, etc. You don't owe them that part of your life.

I completely understand the desire to share such an important things with our parents and family. We love them and we want them to know all about things that are important to us and that includes such a core part of us, our sexual orientation. You are not any less of a lesbian if you keep that part of yourself private from them.

Put your focus on a job, a driver's license, a bank account, collection documents like your social security card and birth certificate and finishing your education. Once you are on your own and are paying for housing, health insurance and other necessary things then you can make the decision to tell them. Even once you are on your own, you do not have to. If you fear loosing them there is no shame in not coming out to them, now or ever.

You will eventually meet friends at jobs or school who will understand you and love you for all your core values and you can be yourself. Or choose what to share and what not to share. You are allowed the boundaries of some things being private with some people.

Even back in my youth the line of "Silence equals Death" was used by some to force others to come out when they were not ready or not in a safe place to do so. To be clear, that is not what it meant.

To this day I see others encouraging younger people to be "out and proud " because "we" will support you. The fact is, strangers on the internet are not able to take on the truly hard stuff of parenting that goes well beyond emotional support. It entails being responsible for a young person's mental. physical and monetary well being and it does not end at early adulthood.

Stay in the closet at home, seek friendships at work or in school that are fulfilling and trustworthy. You are not being shameful to stay safe in your home.

I am glad you found me on social media. And remember, just because I am out and loud now does not mean I always was. Taking our time to get to a good and safe place to be out takes time and courage.

[drdemonprince]

Hi. I was wondering if you had an opinion on an issue I’m unsure of as a trans person in the US. I’m in the middle of a name change and need to update my documents—but I’m unsure whether changing my gender marker on my ID and passport at this point is more dangerous than not changing them. I’m on T if that matters—I’ve been having difficulties figuring out if that means the federal government already knows I’m trans anyway. Thank you if you respond and thank you anyway for all the helpful things you post if not.

If some kind of outright throw-trans-people-in-gulags situation were to occur, the government would rescind healthcare privacy laws and know that you took T and why, yeah. Whereas having a correct passport can substitute for a birth certificate if you have to seek refugee status in another country under such a scenario. Plus it would make it easier to socially integrate as your correct gender in a new place. So while I think both are unlikely, my perspective would be you might as well get your ID's right.

[nareshkumartech]

How to Prove Your Identity in Canada Without a Driver’s License

In Canada, a driver’s license is one of the most widely accepted forms of identification. But what if you don't drive or don't yet have a license? Fortunately, there are several other valid ways to prove your identity when you need to access services, verify your age, or complete important transactions. Understanding these options ensures that you’re always prepared — even without a driver's license in hand.

1. Primary Forms of Non-Driver Identification

If you don't have a driver’s license, you can use other government-issued ID cards to prove your identity. Some of the most commonly accepted alternatives include:

Canadian Passport: A passport is the gold standard for proof of identity and citizenship. It's accepted almost everywhere for identification purposes.

Provincial or Territorial Photo ID Cards: Many provinces offer official photo ID cards for non-drivers. For example, Ontario offers the Ontario Photo Card, while British Columbia has the BC Services Card.

Permanent Resident (PR) Card: For newcomers, a PR card serves as both proof of identity and legal status in Canada.

Citizenship Certificate or Card: This document proves Canadian citizenship and includes your name, photo, and signature.

Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS): For Indigenous individuals, this government-issued card is an accepted form of ID.

Each of these IDs provides verifiable details such as your full name, date of birth, photograph, and often your signature, meeting requirements for official identification.

2. Secondary Identification Options

Sometimes, institutions may request two pieces of ID: one with a photo and one with supporting information. In that case, you can present documents like:

Health Card (with photo) — depending on the province.

Social Insurance Number (SIN) card or letter (usually as secondary ID).

Birth Certificate.

Bank or credit cards with your name printed.

Utility bills or rental agreements showing proof of address.

It’s always best to check ahead of time what forms of ID are accepted, especially for critical processes like banking, healthcare registration, or government applications.

3. Why a Provincial ID Card Is a Smart Move

If you don't drive but need a reliable piece of photo ID, applying for a provincial photo identification card is highly recommended. These cards are issued by your provincial or territorial government and often require similar documents as a driver's license application — proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of legal status in Canada.

This card can make everyday tasks — such as picking up packages, accessing government services, or even entering age-restricted venues — much smoother.

4. Stay Informed and Prepared

No matter which ID you use, keeping it current and securely stored is crucial. Always make sure your name, address, and other details are updated promptly after major life changes like moving or marriage.

Need help navigating the different forms of identification in Canada or preparing for your future licensing needs? Check out LicensePrep.ca — your trusted resource for expert guides, ID tips, and practice tests to help you stay ready and confident!

[muhdanas]

Earn Your International Diploma in Healthcare Documentation with Transorze

[grandgobbobarb]

Love not existing in the eyes of credit reporting agencies while working for a credit card company.

Boss: "oh? Debit card? Why not credit? It's better financially!"

Me: "=D are you ready for some bullshit? *explains the process of legal transition, how the Trump EOs fucked with it, how I barely got my documents in order for employment verification, and how my birth state refuses to update my birth certificate and how that makes me not exist in the eyes of credit agencies*"

Boss, who has already this week been hit with the "oh I need to check legal status of restrooms here" and "I need a sec I just got word that the feds are trying to make my healthcare illegal", and who has never before met a trans woman: "...you need a lawyer"

😀

It's been fun watching him go from "huh, you don't look like what I expected when I heard my new report was trans" to "my faith in the legal correctness of the USA is shattered". And honestly I think it is only happening because our kids are the same age and we can chat about having teenagers.

But yeah ugh Cassie to here then I get a lawyer.

[transcriptioncity]

Accurate Medical Document Translation Services

Medical Document Translation Services: An Essential Guide Medical document translation services are a critical for global healthcare, ensuring precise communication across language barriers. Whether for work, business, or personal needs, accurate medical document translation is indispensable. This article explores the history, uses, importance, and process of accurate medical document…

[bmv1]

10 Non-Material Christmas Gifts That Will Leave a Lasting Impression

The holiday season is a time for giving, but what if you could offer something that isn’t a material possession yet still holds immense value? Non-material Christmas gifts are a thoughtful way to show your love, appreciation, and kindness, and they can often have a more lasting impact than physical items.

From creating memorable experiences to giving back to the community, these gifts are meaningful, memorable, and often more sustainable than traditional presents. In this blog, we will explore 10 non-material Christmas gifts that will leave a lasting impression.

Experience-Based Gifts: Memories That Last

One of the best ways to give a gift that will be remembered is by creating an experience. Memories tend to last far longer than material possessions, and experiences offer opportunities to bond with loved ones. Here are some great experience-based ideas:

Concerts or Event Tickets: A shared experience such as attending a concert, sports game, or theatre show is a gift that creates lasting memories.

Cooking or Art Classes: Giving the gift of a new skill through a fun, hands-on class can be an enriching experience. It’s something you can enjoy together and will be remembered long after the event.

Weekend Getaway: A short trip to a nearby destination offers a break from everyday life and creates an unforgettable experience.

Charity Xmas Gifts: Giving Back to Those in Need

Another powerful non-material gift is making a charitable donation in someone’s name. Charity Xmas gifts are an ideal way to give back during the holiday season. Whether it’s supporting education, healthcare, or environmental causes, donating to a charity that resonates with the recipient’s values can have a profound effect.

Instead of spending money on physical items, a donation can help those in need, and it’s a thoughtful gesture that keeps on giving. Many charities offer gift cards or certificates to let the recipient know the donation has been made in their honour, making it a personalized gift that also makes a difference.

A Heartfelt Letter or Card

Sometimes, the simplest gifts are the most meaningful. A heartfelt letter or card can express your feelings in a way that material items can’t. In your letter, reflect on your time together, acknowledge the person’s importance in your life, and express your gratitude. This gesture is timeless and can be treasured for years to come.

Offering Your Time: Quality Time Together

In today’s fast-paced world, time is often the most valuable thing you can give. Consider offering your time as a Christmas gift by doing something meaningful together. This could include:

Cooking a Meal Together: Spend time in the kitchen creating a special dinner or baking festive treats.

Volunteering Together: Giving back as a team can be a fulfilling experience, whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen or helping out at a local shelter.

Childcare or Pet Sitting: Offering your services to take care of someone’s children or pets for a day can be an invaluable gift, especially if the person needs a break or a bit of extra help.

A Personalized Playlist or Mixtape

For those who appreciate music, creating a personalized playlist or mixtape can be a thoughtful and emotional gift. You can curate songs that represent shared memories, inside jokes, or the recipient’s favorite tunes. Whether it’s a relaxing playlist for unwinding or an upbeat one to energize, this personalized gift will be enjoyed for a long time.

Virtual Classes or Workshops

Give the gift of knowledge or creativity by gifting a virtual class or workshop. This could range from photography lessons to virtual wine tasting experiences or even online fitness classes. It’s a great way to allow someone to explore their interests and develop new skills while spending quality time at home.

A Personalized Experience Journal

Create a personalized experience journal where you document shared moments throughout the year. Include photos, ticket stubs, or even simple notes about fun times you’ve shared. You can leave space for future adventures, so it becomes an ongoing project. This gift encourages reflection on your relationship and provides a way to relive happy memories.

Acts of Kindness

This gift is about spreading love and goodwill to others. Acts of kindness can include helping with household chores, running errands, or even offering a simple gesture like paying for someone’s coffee. While these acts may seem small, they carry a lot of meaning, especially when done with the intention of making someone’s day a little brighter.

Digital Gifts: Subscriptions and Ebooks

For someone who loves reading or exploring new content, gifting a subscription to an audiobook service or an online platform can be a wonderful gesture. If the person is into learning, you could offer them an educational course or membership to an online community. Digital gifts are convenient and can be accessed from anywhere, making them perfect for those with busy lifestyles.

The Gift of Wellness: Meditation or Spa Vouchers

For those in need of relaxation and self-care, giving the gift of wellness can be incredibly meaningful. This could include a voucher for a spa treatment, a virtual meditation session, or a yoga class. A gift focused on mental and physical well-being not only offers immediate relief but encourages a healthier and more mindful lifestyle.

Non-material Christmas gifts are an excellent way to show your loved ones that you care about them beyond physical possessions. From creating unforgettable experiences to giving back through charity Xmas gifts, these thoughtful gifts make a lasting impact. Whether it’s a heartfelt letter, a shared adventure, or a simple act of kindness, these gifts create memories and connections that will stay with the recipient long after the holiday season. This Christmas, consider moving away from material items and instead, focus on giving the gifts of time, experiences, and love.

[dragontatoes]

I recommend you do as many as of the following that are applicable to you as possible:

change your name/gender marker - do this before any other documents, if you quickly can (x x x)

get a state/REAL ID card (x)

get a US passport (x x) and/or...

get a US passport card - cheaper than full passport, but only for use on land/sea borders of nations adjacent to the US (x)

get a certified copy of your birth certificate (x x)

get a social security card (x x)

get health insurance - don't assume you aren't eligible for your state's medicaid (x), visit healthcare.gov if you really aren't (x)

get on SNAP/food assistance - don't assume you aren't eligible (x)

get benefits if you cannot work due to a disability (x x)

get an advanced directive - your wishes for healthcare when you are incapacitated, such as life support/DNRs (x x)

write a will - wishes for your body/belongings after death (x x)

ensure that all documents have your current information, aren't expiring soon, and that you have both physical copies and high quality digital scans

make an emergency kit (x)

choose a method of birth control/STD prevention (x) and educate yourself on abortion availability (x)

do what you must to stay happy and healthy. here's a cute video of otters at the Oregon Zoo (x)

[rosemarytrash]

me drama posting cuz i actually had a really good experience today but it was rly nerve wracking lmao

in case some of you didn't know, i currently live in montana!! it's a nice enough state for its nature and the like, but politically it's kind of a shit show. pros and cons y'know, but as a trans guy it's fairly lame. also, bcuz geography is important, i live in eastern montana, not on the cool western side where all the mountain queers go hang out. that's generalizing a lot but it is what it is so bare with

anyway, back in 2021 there was a bill passed (SB 280) that effectively made it impossible for trans people to change their gender marker on their birth certificate or other identifying documents without having a sex change surgery, while at the same time writing in that no surgery exists to change your sex on a chromosomal level or any of that bullshit. whereas before that bill was passed, montana law was a little more loosey goosey about it. mainly in that it didn't yet have a republican legislature hyperfixated on a culture war to drum up support so trans people weren't really IDENTIFIED by the law, which was ironically kind of easier to navigate. idk, shit weird, i'm no expert

anyway, tbh, i never really CARED about changing my gender marker. i changed my name legally back when i was like 15 or 16 and i believe, at that time, i had the option to simultaneously change my gender marker. for whatever reason, i decided not to. i think it had something to do with healthcare and trying not to fuck up the future possibility of getting on T, which didn't happen for another year for me. i've also always been fairly loose about my gender identity in terms of a full identification with maleness/manhood. like, i'm a guy, i'm a dude, don't call me anything except that, but on a deeply personal level i see myself a little more in between on that kind of scale. maybe something inherently non-binary but no label has ever quite fit the bill, so trans guy with an asterisk will have to do. anyway!!! i don't really recall why i made that call, but i had, and it truthfully never really got me into any trouble. for all the times i later had to flash my ID, even to this date, i can only really recall one time where a gas station clerk gave me a weird look and said "sir... ma'am... sir-ma'am... here ya go" when i was buying cigarettes lmao. i was never questioned about it by employers and as far as i know was never turned away from a job because of it (which is good because montana doesn't have employment protections for trans people (last i checked)). so i truthfully spent a good 7 or so years relatively unbothered by this fact or by the fact that i had an F on my driver's license. it was inconsequential to me

recently though with republicans doing more and more lines of anti-LGBTQ cocaine and more people becoming aware of trans people, it's been unsettling here. y'know just mildly discomforting. and mentally that is fatiguing. i've also only now encountered some bureaucratic bullshit that's like okay, wow, this is actually going to be a bigger problem in the future and i'm not wanting to deal with that. mainly in the form of i'm getting married here soon, we want to try and do some kind of honeymoon adventure in the distant future, so for that i need an passport and from what i've read that can be a real fucking headache for trans people and it can be even harder to change in the future. so like blugh. i'm also in the process of applying to grad school and it's just--kind of annoying to have to identify myself a certain way. it's weird cuz i won't pretend it's put me in some life-threatening situation or there's anything that feels DIRE about needing to change it, but it just feels like there'd be a lot less awkwardness and vulnerability if i did. ironically when montanans were less redpilled i didn't care about changing all my legal shit over, but now that your average grandpa here thinks of trans people as botched teenage girls or child predators in bathrooms and THAT's their reason for getting out of the house to go to the polls next year, well yeah now i give a shit about "deceiving" the system. idk it's dumb

anyway i actually KNOW the girl who is the plaintiff against the govt in the lawsuit against SB 280. she's really cool and it's cool that i know her. i ended up reaching out to her a few months back to ask how that was going and what it meant for changing your gender marker in MT. and fantastically i had found out that late 2022 the judge on the case had issued an order that forced the DPHHS to suspend its practice under SB 280 since it was a fundamentally unworkable law and to return to its original practice prior, which allowed trans people and frankly anyone else with good enough cause to change their gender marker without meeting some bullshit made up requirements by the state.

it then took me months to get the gumption to actually write, edit, and file a petition for it. which i finally did today, and it surprisingly all got done in an afternoon, even though hypothetically the courthouse at 1PM on a tuesday should've been fairly busy. i'll be interested to see how it goes, because just cuz it's filed doesn't mean anything is certain. to my knowledge, LEGALLY, it should be a done deal, i should get an order from the judge that will allow me to get a new birth certificate and a new driver's license and all that jazz. but what do i know? the judge may want to have a hearing about it, which could be incredibly awkward in a courtroom full of other people waiting to have their cases heard, but idfk. my fingers are crossed that it'll go okay.

and it was kind of a good experience? i was as anxious as one could imagine. i'm a bearded dude walking in with paperwork asking kindly for an F to become an M lol. and the gals at the courthouse were momentarily confused, raised a few brows, had to talk to someone to see what the current rulings were in that previously mentioned lawsuit, but they were nice enough about it. they got my shit filed, they took $120 from me rather apologetically cuz that's what shit costs to file a civil petition in the state district courts. i get to find out by email if the judge will just approve the order i drafted or if he's going to want to speak to me. and i'm hoping either of those things happen before the wedding so none of that paperwork becomes a headache.

anyway this is a long post cuz i have a lot of thoughts and either i ramble on and on to my fiancee about it or i just splurge on whatever few unfortunate souls decide to read this :) thx if you do. there's no point really to any of it yk just airing out some thoughts i guess. i'll go draw some gay shit now <3