Hi my names Ripley.

I am an artist, a gardener, disabled and joyful.

I am learning to travel again. And excited to explore the world and meet new people I am super friendly. My roommates joke I can make friends at the grocery store… and it’s true.

I am involved with mutual aid, art and placemaking, creating vibrant more public spaces.

Finding my way in the world with multiple chronic illnesses and conditions. I sometimes need to rest during the day. I will be with my service dog paisley, she is a standard poodle and does not shed. She alerts to heart issues and is considered a medical device. A very cute medical device.

If you have questions I am very comfortable answering them. I invite to ask questions about chronic illness and disability your are not rude unless you are trying to be. Not knowing how to talk about disability is OKAY. Being anxious to say “wrong thing” is normal. I am very chill about it and used to answering questions.

Would love to FaceTime before a stay, talk great time for questions if you have them especially related to service dog etc. Communication is my jam :)

Warum ich bei Couchsurfing bin

I want to travels and have unique experiences staying in a hotel is the same every time. I don’t imagine two couch surfing experiences will ever be the same.

Interessen

Sculpture art
Disability advocacy
Gardening
Mutual aid
Walking in the woods

Sketching, journaling
Dog training

Woodworking, making, teaching and being outdoors

• arts
• sketching
• gardening
• hiking
• kayaking
• self-development
• sculpture
• disability
• disability rights
• journaling
• mutual aid
• wood working

Musik, Filme und Bücher

One of my fav books is Green wood by Michael Christie

It tells the story of 4 generations of a fictional family and the impact and connection to forest, trees, environmental destruction and the people we choose to hold close. Half set in the future half set in the past. It is written so well. And I love it.

Fav tv show… a million little things.

It is about a group of friends coming together after a suicide of a friend. They reckon with loss, pursue dreams, raise there kids together, fight cancer. smile laugh and cry. An exploration of love and meaning of our days and our actions. This show showed me the friends I want, the friends who are family. I am so grateful to have build that kind of support into my life in part modeled after how well these fictional friends treat each other.

Eine tolle Erfahrung, die ich gemacht habe

A few summers ago with spiking heart rate due to chronic illness I could not walk to my own mailbox. It was Less than 1/8 mile. Some days I could not get out of bed.

The amazing thing??? I kept trying to get the mail. I would breathe deeply, take supplies… water and my phone (in case I needed help)…. I did lots or physical therapy and so much medical research…….I would go half way and just sit in the yard for a while… unable to keep going. …..,….. breathe deeply…… eventually I did it…. I got my mail….. then I got my mail again…..

Slow but steady I fought my life back. Recently I walked 8 miles… sorta by accident…. lol got lost in the woods. But like actually…. I can walk a couple miles regularly. It is a huge improvement and I am so proud of not giving up.

I know what hope is. I know love and I get really happy about the simplest wonders, like a beautiful tree, great meal, or a good sunrise.

These days I am excited to be alive and thriving every day even when it’s hard.

Lehren, lernen, teilen

I love in depth conversations, self reflection and being really present with another person.

Maybe over a cup of tea in the morning or a walk, I enjoy connection and learning from others story’s. I can share about my experiences in hospitals, health being bad and like being more happy then ever! I wanna hear what you’re grateful for, what gets you up in the morning?

Was ich mit Gastgebern teilen kann

I love board games and a good conversation. I can share good laughs and exchange stories.

I can also talk dog training… for like hours… it’s a science. I have trained my service dog paisley. All myself. She is a standard poodle. Maybe offer tips on an issue you’re having.