Welcome to Their Collective: A Space for Mutual Creativity, Education, and Growth!

To those who know me and to those who are yet to learn my lore - hey friends!

It’s a dream come true to be a mental health therapist, an artist, and a writer. Like everything in my life, the journey to get here was tumultuous, grueling, and full of heartache, but unmasking and embracing my unique neuroqueer self has brought me joy, love, creativity, and community I never could have dreamed of. I’m proud to share it with you now.

My name is Meg Johnston (she/they). I identify as neuroqueer (Autistic, ADHD, Pansexual, and Gender non-conforming). I grew up on a small family farm in Saskatchewan and currently live on Treaty 2 Territory in Moosomin, SK. I would describe my young self as curious, creative, chatty, and determined. 

I recall small moments in time where I questioned my behavior due to other’s reactions. I spent a lot of time in the hallway (usually for talking). I could read, but I couldn’t count to 100 out loud. I was good at math, but bad at mad minutes. In Grade 3 I realized I needed to alter my behavior to fit in socially. I was stealing, lying, and bullying - trying to understand how the world worked. By Grade 6, I realized that fitting in meant being uncomfortable. That’s when I started creating my mask.

Mask = socially accepted set of behaviors, mannerisms, tone of voice, and sayings.

I quickly realized that masking was my ultimate social survival tool. I used my time in class observing others and being a “yap ass know it all”. I learned how to suppress my quirks (or forgive them by using substances). At times, with clear intentions and a lot of effort, I was able to mask and survive social situations. The masking however, presented some issues; it was difficult to focus on anything else, learn, or engage in new activities. It was also exhausting, leading to me falling asleep on the couch, or on top of my bed with the light on before supper time. Often I slept for 12-14 hours. 

I took  a year off, failed working as a waitress and in retail, and decided to go to University. It took me 5 years and I managed to graduate from Brandon University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychiatric Nursing. I even made the honor roll several times. However, during these years I struggled with severe anxiety, addiction, and intense roller-coaster relationships with friends, roommates, and romantic or sexual partners. I constantly found myself in dangerous situations due to being both gullible and extremely impulsive. 

I secured a position with the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Then I spent a decade hopping from job to job across the province. I spent my 27th birthday at The Orchard Recovery Center during their 6 week program. I am now 7 years sober from alcohol. The years also brought struggles with behavioral type addictions like food and shopping. I have often jokingly referred to my addiction as a cruel game of whack a mole that never ends. I became a single parent at 29 and moved home to have the support of my family. 

In my 30’s, I was blessed with TikTok and the book “Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity” by Dr. D. Price. The combination of these resources led to self diagnosis of ADHD, then Autism with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile. Later I was assessed and diagnosed with ADHD combined-type moderate and also Autism Level 1. 

The journey to diagnosis was also not easy. My psychiatrist did not think I fit the criteria for either of these diagnoses because I made eye-contact and had a child. I sought out and paid for private testing by specialized psychologists. It has been a few years since my diagnosis and the psychiatrist now accepts how autism and ADHD affect my life and mental health. ‘

It took me over a year to reprocess my life through the lens of AuDHD and then, slowly my life began to make sense—the overwhelm, the shutdowns, and the constant need for control. My medication journey was also complicated. Taking a stimulant medication, like Concerta or Vyvanse, to treat my ADHD pushed me into autistic burnout so damn hard.

I made several trips to the ER for heart pain and fainting. I regularly referred to myself as an “electrified potato”. I would call my Mom in a melt down, hysterically crying that I just wanted to feel like myself again. I  also experienced ARFID (Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) sometimes going for days without being able to eat solid food. Currently, I am unable to utilize stimulant medication to treat my ADHD due to side effects. I am prescribed a combination of other medications. 

Diagnosis of and living with AuDHD forced me to finally see myself as I am; a complex human being. Nothing is ever black and white. My neurodiversities have made it possible for me to achieve things that no one else has ever done. They are also disabilities that affect my daily quality of life. I believe that autistic people experience both joy and darkness with a pureness that others cannot. 

Accepting myself as a disabled person and letting go of personal, familial, and societal expectations for my capabilities meant I could finally step into becoming the person I was meant to be. I was able to make changes and recover from severe autistic burnout, which set me up to build a life where I can thrive. Even leading me to a position where I feel confident enough to return to university for my Master’s degree. Learning about my disabilities was important but I was also extremely privileged to have medical leave, long term disability, and other financial support. These made it possible for me to take the time to rest. I also had the privilege of being able to find affirming providers and create a care team virtually for myself. I searched for these providers one-by-one. This includes Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Naturopathic Doctor, Neurodivergent Health Coach, Neurodivergent and 2SLGBTQIAP+ safe spaces virtually and in person. I might be biased but importantly I started working with an affirming therapist.

Fast forward to the summer of 2024. At this point Chelsea Bleau (they/them) was working with their local Pride Organization advocating for “Safe Spaces”. Chelsea is a disabled neuroqueer artist, photographer, writer, advocate and U of S psychology student living on Treaty 6 Territory.  Their presentation titled, “Ally Learning Workshop” inspired Their Collective. 

We first met in 2012, working for minimum wage at a small town bar where our families are from and kept in touch through social media over the years. Our friendship grew as we both entered our late 20s, got stable in our recovery from substances, and received neurodivergent diagnoses. We both know what it feels like to navigate a world that isn’t built for us. We wanted to create something that felt like home for our community.

Their Collective is not another non profit to fill gaps of our capitalistic society; it’s about creating a place where supporting each other really pays off. Their Collective is a for profit-business and Social Enterprise. Our mission is to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQIAP+, neurodivergent, and Indigenous humans through economic opportunities, educational workshops, and mental health support. Their Collective is by our community for our community. We are aiming to become a “Certified Social Enterprise” with Buy Social Canada in 2025. 

Our e-commerce store, the Virtual Artisan Market features artists, makers, and small business owners who identify as Two-Spirit, gender or sexually diverse, neurodivergent (ADHD autism, others), or Indigenous. The prices and contracts are set by the makers. Their Collective’s share of the profits is used to fund our free programming and affordable mental health services. 

The educators creating and facilitating webinars and workshops also identify as 2SLGBTQIAP+,  neurodivergent, or Indigenous and have a combination of lived experiences and professional backgrounds. Lastly, all of our mental health service providers are licensed professionals who also self identify as belonging to our community. 

Advocacy and community building has always been a huge part of my life. When I was in high school I was on the executive for multiple extra-curricular activities including President of our small rural school’s School Community Council and the 4-H Provincial Member Council. In 2024, I received a Queen’s Jubilee Medal for my work in human rights advocacy. This work started when I allowed myself to pursue a special interest after my self-diagnosis of autism. One of my proudest moments was realizing I had created a community of like minded people together from across the prairies. 

Advocacy is not just about billboards or rallies, it’s about the everyday conversations and spaces we create together. 

Here’s what we’re offering:

1. Virtual Artisan Market

A platform for 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, Indigenous and other marginalized artists, makers, creators, and small businesses to showcase their work. Every item is handpicked and the contracts are artist led.

2. Educational Workshops

Interactive sessions on allyship, mental and physical health for our community, and sharing stories of experience, strength, and hope with others.

3. Mental Health Supports

A growing network of licensed mental health professionals who self identify as 2SLGBTQIAP+, neurodivergent, or Indigenous. We are committed to providing culturally safe, gender and neuro-affirming care across Canada. ZERO CBT, I promise!

4. Community Spaces

From art groups to yoga, we’re creating spaces where you can connect and be free to be who you are (stims and all)!

The facts are, I’ve spent the large majority of my life feeling out of place. I was the “weird” kid in school, I struggled in traditional workplaces, and I’ve spent more time in a Doctor’s office fighting to be believed than I care to admit. For a long time the feeling of “otherness” kept me depressed and trapped in negative rumination but through connecting with my unmasked self and others I’ve come to understand the great power in that difference. 

For myself, Chelsea, and the other members of Their Collective we are focused on embracing that power (but first, resting). Their Collective is a place where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated for their unique identities, special interests, skills, and hobbies. Their Blog is where we’ll share our stories—as our brilliant unmasked selves. A collection of personal stories, affirming and allyship tips, mental health and therapy tips, poetry, education related to ADHD, autism, 2SLGBTQIAP+, and Indigenous sovereignty/decolonization. We encourage discussion of these topics and the intersections of these identities and healthcare, economy, politics, advocacy, housing, etc.

I hope it becomes a place where you know your story matters.

Their Collective, of course, is full of ideas and has exciting plans for the year ahead. My BIG dream is to run at least 1 session of affirming summer camp in 2025. Some connections have been made and I can’t wait to share any progress on this with y'all.

While I’m wrapping up, here’s a big THANK YOU! Especially to my Mom who chose to support and believe in me no matter what the crazy mastermind plan was - I love and appreciate you more and more every day. And my step dad, Richard,  thank you for loving my Mom and allowing her to be the best version of herself. And for being the absolute best Poppa to H. You give me hope.

To Chelsea, Their Collective members, the website developers, the graphic designers, the artists,  the advocates, and to YOU—thank you so much for saying “Yes!” to me, Their Collective, and the dream.

As we always say at Their Collective: “Can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Till next time (OMG I GET TO SAY THAT NOW!),
Meg Johnston (she/they)