Support Disabled Artist Go Back To School!

Hello community! My name is Melanie Griffin or Maze. I’m an artist and herbalist who is passionate about community care and liberation. I am humbly asking for donations to help me move to New York and go to acupuncture school- A dream over ten years in the making!

Over the last few years I have been stabilizing my mental and physical health after being burned out from a nonprofit job. Now I’m ready to enter into the next phase of my life and add acupuncture to my healing practitioner toolbox. It won’t be easy, but I know that I can do it with your support!

I have stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease and have been chronically ill since I was a kid. As a way to have more agency over my care, and in hopes of being able to provide care for others too, I began studying plant medicine (western herbalism) over 15 years ago. In my 20s and 30s I had a number of surgeries and medical crises. Acupuncture treatments were a huge part of my care. Learning about this system of medical care was tremendously eye opening. My experience with doctors was often extremely frustrating; I felt that my body was being treated piece by piece and my needs ignored. Getting acupuncture was deeply healing and powerful because I was being listened to and treated as a whole person. It is my deepest desire to provide that kind of care to others.

In addition to stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease, I have fibromyalgia and ADHD, as well as a lot of school trauma. Going back to school will not be a walk in the park, but I am determined and I know that with the support of my community, I can do it. Not having to work for at least my first year of school will be essential for me being able to care for my health while working to succeed in this goal. When I become an acupuncturist I am committed to paying this support forward by always offering sliding scale appointments and providing care at community events.

If you are able and want to support this artist in becoming an acupuncturist, please donate! If you cannot donate, please share with others who might be inclined.

Thank you so much!

Love,

Maze