“I Am Not an Ant”

“I am not an ant, and I refuse to be treated like one. This piece is for anyone who’s ever felt small, overlooked, or crushed by the machinery of expectation.”

“I am not an ant. I do not march in silence, follow blindly, or shrink beneath the weight of the world. This is a story about reclaiming voice, space, and the right to be seen.”

“They say ants are tireless, obedient, invisible. But I am not an ant. I am loud, flawed, and gloriously human. This is my declaration.”

“It began with a recording, a chirp, and a moment that demanded attention. What followed was a journey into voice, presence, and Sweetie’s perfectly timed interruption.”

“I Am Not an Ant” by Vicki Lawana Trusselli

[Opening]

Hello everyone.

I’m Vicki Lawana Trusselli. I’m 76 years old, living on $1216 a month from Social Security.

I have great healthcare, and I’m grateful for that.

I have food to eat, and I’m grateful for that.

But rent, electricity, and other bills?

They’re a struggle every single month.

I have payday loans too.

Before you say anything, I know.

But this is my reality.

[Health & Resilience]

I recently found out I have thalassemia, an inherited Mediterranean anemia passed down from my father.

I also live with four spinal fractures and Stage 2 kidney disease.

I have special dietary needs, and the first of every month is a battle.

People often say, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”

But honestly. That doesn’t help my anxiety.

What helps is creating.

Art, music, stories, these are my medicine.

Sweetie Bird, my muse, sits on her perch and inspires me every day.

I work on creative projects for hours.

I publish.

I earn pennies.

But I love life.

I love my grandkids.

I love what I create.

[Technology & Criticism]

I’ve embraced technology my whole life.

Learning makes me happy.

Microsoft Copilot has helped me learn how to use AI as a tool.

But when I started using AI to write stories, some people criticized me.

They said I should write about puppies and kitties.

They said they’d shut me down.

They didn’t listen to the words I wrote.

They judged the tool I used.

But if they really listened, they’d hear my heart and soul.

[Political Reality]

The politics of today are depressing.

I warned people in my stories about what was happening to America.

They brushed me off.

They laughed.

My brother is a full-blown MAGA.

He laughed when I told him my friend, an American citizen was kidnapped by ICE.

Another family member said they’d shut me down.

I know what’s coming.

This administration sees people like me, disabled, elderly, poor as useless.

To them, we’re ants.

To be squashed.

Smashed.

Discarded.

[Pain & Survival]

I live with pain every day.

My lower back screams.

I’m exhausted from anemia.

I can’t take ibuprofen because of my kidneys.

I can’t take Tylenol because Thalassemia affects my liver

So, I measure THC dosages carefully.

It works.

It helps.

It’s what I have.

[Truth & Hope]

I’m not a negative person.

If I were, I’d lie around and twiddle my thumbs.

But I have ambition.

I have truth.

I care about humanity.

I’m a humanitarian.

I’m an empath.

And yes, the chaos and destruction of America makes me sad.

But I will not bury my head in the sand.

[Call to Action]

Don’t feel sorry for me.

Feel something for the thousands of elderly people living paycheck to paycheck.

In today’s world, money is everything.

If you don’t have it, you’re nothing.

But I am not nothing.

I am not an ant.

I ask Democrats to fight back.

And if you can’t, then choose leaders who will.

[Closing]

I love California.

I love my governor, Gavin Newsom.

I love my art.

I love my bird.

I love my life.

And I will keep creating.

Even if it only brings in pennies.

Even if they try to shut me down.

Peace out.

Next video will be about and birds.

written by Vicki Lawana Trusselli