hidden disabilities Archives - Page 4 of 13

My Treatment Plan for Fear

8 Oct

One of my invisible disabilities speaking programs this week was to a group of students at a college. It was an in-person event, which is a nice treat these days, and it was a smaller, intimate group of just a...
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The Evolution of Splat’s Impact Map

24 Sep

Since I created the Splat system – by accident – about five years ago, the tools I use to make it work for me have certainly evolved. The original premise has remained unchanged. It’s catchy. My friends like it, whether...
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Pets with Disabilities: Learning from Each Other (+ PetSplat!!!)

12 Sep

Twelve days ago, my dog, Amica, and I had a very bad day. I found her in the morning, collapsed, having lost control of her bowels. I had to help her stand, but she couldn’t walk on her own, so...
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The Sag Wagon Advantage

27 Aug

Earlier this month, I attended a bicycle ride event for charity in Iowa. It’s an event a friend of mine puts on and I’ve seen the pictures on Facebook every year and decided this time I was going to go,...
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When an Apostrophe Made Me Cry, and How I Made It OK

14 Aug

This afternoon, an apostrophe made me cry. OK, context. My fibromyalgia is in full flare today. Extreme fatigue, brain fog, body aches, plus the mental health symptoms: anxiety and depression. I have a ton of work to get done in...
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On Mattresses and How I Hurt Myself

6 Aug

Mattresses tell the tale of a thing I do wrong a lot. Amica and I are traveling again, and our first night was a marvelous stay in a National Forest where I slept on my comfy air mattress. That air...
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Stages of Relief After a Traumatic Period

1 Aug

I had this idea months ago and wanted to take the time I needed to process everything before I wrote this. Honestly, I still don’t feel fully prepared to do this “correctly,” but I don’t know that I ever will,...
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On Lambeau Field, Celebrity, Possible Impossible and Heroes Defined

18 Jul

Christina Irene wearing Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodger's jersey in Lambeau Field

Two weeks ago, I was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of my favorite American football team, the Green Bay Packers, and my soul scored a big win on Lambeau Field. I’m not a die-hard fan, but I’m a fan. I...
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Yes, You are Disabled Enough, and Why You Should Say So

3 Jul

I recently talked to someone who questioned whether she was “disabled enough” to identify as disabled. She said she had a “mild” version of her condition and hesitated to even talk about it. I really related to this, because sometimes...
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“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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