“Usual” Does Not Make It “OK”

17 Jun
I’ve had a bad stretch of bad days lately. One of my very least favorite symptoms of my chronic conditions, extreme stomach bloating, has had an excessive tenure this month. In addition, my fibromyalgia has been super active. Last weekend,...
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When I Play Favorites with My Chronic Conditions

30 May
This week it occurred to me that I play favorites with my chronic health conditions. What I mean is, I most often identify as someone with fibromyalgia and downplay my other conditions. Today, I decided I’d write about it, not...
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11 Pandemic Trends People with Disabilities Want to Keep

13 May
In my home state of Pennsylvania, signs of the COVID-19 pandemic are finally fading away. Governor Wolf has lifted many of the restrictions, such as capacity limits in businesses and no seating at bars, meanwhile promising to lift the mask...
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Why Asking “How can I help?” is Problematic (and Tips to Rephrase)

23 Apr
“Is there anything I can do?” It’s a common question from caring people. We ask it when someone is stressed. We ask when someone is grieving. The caring people in my life ask when one of my chronic conditions is...
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5 Reasons I’ll Never Wear These Shirts

22 Apr
I’ve gotten some of the strangest “targeted advertising” showing up in apps. Dating sites for a different sexual orientation than I am (Christina, you’ve been single FOR. EVER. Why not try a different tack?) Those lewd-looking items with seemingly normal...
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I Have a Sitting Disability: What That Means

26 Mar
It’s something you hear about. In fact, I had the condition for years before I knew it had a name. It’s not exactly official. You won’t find it on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) website or even WebMD. But...
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4 Things People with Disabilities Find Helpful When We’re “Out in the World”

20 Mar
One of my speaking programs on disability has a strong focus on universal design, which is defined as making spaces, objects, and experiences accessible to all people regardless of disability or other difference. Yes, this means having ramps, but much,...
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My Mortifying Evening With Fibro

21 Feb
I can’t blame it all on fibromyalgia. My printer had its share of guilt. And of course COVID. The snowstorm wasn’t innocent. Yet wherever the blame may go, it was I who was mortified. Last Thursday evening, the municipal authority...
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