The Adventures of Julie and Bella 2025

This week has been one bad thing after another. I really can’t take much more. I need a break.

This morning started with the heartbreaking realization that I lost my “momma” ring. It was more than just jewelry to me—it was a symbol of my love and bond with Bella. The ring, with its heart and paw design, represented our connection since the day I rescued her. I wore it every single day, and now it’s gone. I’ve searched every inch of my house, turned everything upside down, but it’s nowhere to be found. The loss feels so much deeper than just misplacing an object; it feels like a piece of my heart is missing.

As if that wasn’t enough, the day only got worse. Many people don’t know that I have had severe high-frequency hearing loss since I was young. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a daily struggle. I don’t know what it’s like to hear normally, and I never will. I rely on hearing aids to function, to do my job, to connect with others, and to simply exist in a world built for those who can hear.

Today, I had a hearing check-up, suspecting my hearing had worsened because I was struggling so much to understand people. Conversations have felt impossible, with words slipping past me no matter how hard I concentrate. The test confirmed my fears—my hearing has indeed deteriorated. But the worst part? One of my hearing aids has completely stopped working.

This news was just too much to bear. Hearing aids aren’t a luxury for me; they are my lifeline. Without them, I struggle in every aspect of life. Replacing them will cost upwards of $5,000, and my insurance won’t cover it. That’s money I simply don’t have right now.

I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll have to make do with just one hearing aid, but I know it will make everything so much harder—especially my job. This is something I’ve dealt with since I was ten years old. While others take their ability to hear for granted, I have spent my entire life struggling, compensating, and pushing through.

Today, I feel defeated. I know I’m strong—I’ve been through so much before—but right now, I just need a moment to grieve these losses. I need to find a way forward, but I honestly don’t know how right now.