Truth is, I’m terribly afraid of becoming a stereotypical, out-of-touch academic. I’m especially worried about that because, if I’m going to be a scientist, I want to be able to use my skills as a writer to teach science to the “average Joe”, which includes my beloved conservative, rural family members. 

Beyond that, my mom’s been “going after” the government for quite some time, now. Recently, Colorado’s minority leader of the legislature, Rose Pugliese, put fourth a “Right to Try” bill, basically asking Colorado to allow patients to try experimental drugs if they’ve exhausted all other options. She did this specifically because of my story.

Indeed, with my mom’s help, I shared my story about using an experimental Phage Virus Therapy to combat a severe Pseudomonas infection in order to push for a “Right to Try” bill in Colorado, and Rose agreed to help us (well… mostly my mom) to make this bill a law because of my story. 

Getting that done required me to bury my hatchet with the government for a bit and write them a heartfelt letter, explaining, in detail, what happened; why I had to travel to Oregon to snort up Russian Phage viruses to save my own life. 

I didn’t go stand outside the Capitol with a sign excoriating the government. I didn’t lob insults and “fuck you’s” to politicians as they walked into work. I didn’t call them “evil” or “stupid” if they didn’t support my bill. 

I didn’t do anything except write a short letter, attach a picture I took of a Muley doe from the valley onto it, and ask my mom to deliver it to the government. That simple letter (which I barely even half-assed) got a ball rolling I never thought could even get rolling during the Biden presidency via a democrat, let alone the Trump presidency via a republican. 

But, it turns out, when people stop screeching and snapping like packs of rabid raptors, and show each other a little kindness, respect, and empathy, amazing things happen.