Jessica Downs

I was born with a lot of medical problems that most doctors have only seen or read about in textbooks. Throughout hospital stays, my school years, major events in my family, I still manage one of the biggest Pokemon fan groups to date. (It's shrank a bit because I haven't been active due to work stuff, but I'm sure when Z-A comes out, we'll grow again.). But Pokemon has been a core part of my identity since I was 5 years old. I'm almost 30. Pokémon has been there for me through every single thing in my life in some degree. Keeping me company when I was stuck in the hospital. Elementary school, when I'd play with my friends. High school, when I wanted a semblance of normalcy while balancing depression and pressure from my mother to be like my straight A sister. A cool thing I got my little brother hooked on. Being in a long distance relationship with the love of my life. Losing my mother to suicide the day after my 21st birthday. Getting married to the love of my life. And now it helps me unwind after long days of university work and trying to learn how to be an early childhood educator. Pokémon is my rock, in every sense of the word. And I'm grateful for all the friends, memories, and good times the series has given me. I'm always looking forward to the next game because I know I'll play it as soon as I can get my hands on it.