Hidden Disability Advocate | Speaker | Author | Adventurer
Disability isn’t just about ability. I’ve been reflecting lately on my emotions about my chronic illness and chronic pain, because … well … I’ve been very emotional! I’m frustrated that life changes imposed by the pandemic shutdowns have been extremely … Read More »
The world now has a unique opportunity to relate to people with disabilities and chronic conditions … and learn from us. It’s interesting watching my able-bodied friends navigating these changing times. Everything is suddenly very different … and worse. You … Read More »
I’ve written before about “passing” (see my suggested reads at the end of this article), what it’s like when we try to hide our symptoms or conditions, and this is something those of us with hidden or visible disabilities often … Read More »
The Spoon Theory came about in 2003 to describe life with a chronic illness. The spoons represent measures of energy that one has, and they are “used up” as one performs tasks. Different tasks use different amounts of spoons. Once … Read More »
Those of us who’ve had a chronic illness or a mental health diagnosis for at least a little while end up hearing some of the same things over and over from people who might mean well but end up coming … Read More »
TW: death, grieving Someone I know and care about lost her husband this week. I knew and cared about him, too. He was an artist and a joy and a father and way too young to leave. It was many … Read More »
First, a review of Splat. Talking Splat acknowledges that every day, those of us with chronic illnesses and/or mental health diagnoses feel like we’ve been run over by something. It’s just by a different vehicle on different days. We communicate … Read More »
Last September was a dream come true. As a professional speaker at colleges, it was logically a goal to speak at my alma mater, and I finally had the chance to do so. Not only did I get to speak … Read More »
I nearly threw my phone across the room, what she said irked me so much. (But I’m not really a thrower and the thing is expensive … and essential!) It was a roller coaster of opinion that began with me … Read More »
I recently decided to try Reddit. (Find me at https://www.reddit.com/user/ChristinaIrene/) and one of the subreddits I follow is r/disability. A concerned and sensitive person asked the disability community about the straw ban and if a certain perspective is ableist. The … Read More »