A 12-minute deep dive into the daily struggle of managing Type 2 Diabetes, Epilepsy, ADHD, and hearing loss while pursuing a Creative Writing degree and co-founding Ash & Oak Press. I am 38, and I am fighting to escape an inaccessible home and build a professional legacy. This is the "Ash" that fuels our "Oak" foundation.

As I prepare for my 3rd term at SNHU, I’m sharing the story behind Ash & Oak Press. I’m Mariah—a 38-year-old student, caregiver, and co-founder. From a childhood in the NICU to fighting for an accessible home for my mother, my life has been a journey from the "Ash" of crisis to the "Oak" of stability.

In this video, I discuss:

* My journey through the Humanities and Creative Writing.

* Why I’m minoring in Psychology to build "Psychological Fortification" in fiction.

* The reality of living in a "death trap" home and fighting for accessibility.

* My culinary background and the mission of The Adaptive Chef.

* The launch of Ash & Oak Press as our vehicle for independence.

I’m Mariah, and I’m inviting you into the rebirth of Ash & Oak Press. This is how we’re turning crisis into a foundation of strength.
After years of navigating poverty and chronic illness—what we call the Ash—my family and I are fighting to build an Oak foundation. For me, that means bridging the gap between our current logistical hardships and a professional publishing future.
​In this video, I’m introducing the two worlds I lead under the Ash & Oak umbrella:
​The Sensory Storyteller: Where I teach advanced writing craft to help you build immersive, professional worlds.
​The Unfiltered Caregiver: A raw, honest look at the caregiving crisis that often stays hidden.
​The Adaptive Chef: My collaboration with my sister, Anna, where we reclaim our kitchen legacy through the lens of disability.
Join the journey:
Subscribe to follow our 500-mile relocation and the growth of our publishing house.
Question of the day: What is the 'Oak' foundation you are currently building in your own life? Tell me in the comments!
Ash and Oak Press, Mariah, writing craft, caregiver vlog, disability lifestyle, adaptive kitchen, sensory storytelling, chronic illness story, publishing house journey.