Meet Lara Kalwinski, the lawyer with ADHD known to talk back to media
In Lara’s words ….
- Middle aged, traumatic brain–injured with extensive nerve damage human who loves to swim/float/tread water (h/t to Tig Notaro ….it didn’t occur to me this was exercise).
- Thankful-ish that I was careless with debt leading to travel while young; adventurous, and able (in large part because it led to reunification between my U.S. and Polish family members after my grandparents passed).
- Lawyer with ADHD known to talk back to various forms of media when in disagreement. Strong views on nearly everything including bank de-risking, philanthropy, the wonderfulness of the Great Lakes, the superiority of cracker-crust Chicago pizza (please don’t edit to “tavern”).
I’m in the midst of
Saving for the inevitable and arbitrary layoff many women face in their late 40s and 50s.
The best thing about my current age
Letting go of imposter syndrome.
The best thing I’ve done for myself in midlife
Living this — hurting me only makes me care about/for myself more.
My Grown-Ass Lady heroes
- All of my heroes share this: They used whatever freedom, choice, and resources they had and applied them to societal rules to get their family and community more access to freedom, choice, and resources. They endured the traumas experienced when we don’t have enough freedom, choice, and resources. And they endured pain to preserve what they had. Even when it was life-threatening, they did it with whatever conviction, style, and grace they could muster. The women in my family have this. My Region friends have this. The women in my life have this.
- The Association of Female Lawyers in Liberia (AFELL) who allowed me to learn from them in 2006 and Professor Susan Williams, who introduced me to them in law school.
- Sister Suso Kottirikal and Sister Tomilde Arackal, caretakers who welcomed me to communities where people were treated for Hansen’s disease (leprosy).
- And every lady-identifying person waking up and grinding through aggressions and societal expectations to survive while being expected to celebrate men’s smallest accomplishments. And every lady-identifying person who has found a way to survive without having to do this.
“All of my heroes share this: They used whatever freedom, choice, and resources they had and applied them to societal rules to get their family and community more access to freedom, choice, and resources.”
— Lara Kalwinski
What’s next?
Less.
Follow me here
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