Adventures In Chronic Illness

Hi, I'm Zie! She/her | ace | 22 | cane user | sideblog, follows from @gildedcas EDS, POTS, epilepsy, etc.

[bibs-ahoy]

Hi I think I’m funny and for that I am so, so sorry.

[cripple-threat]

Do I actually like you back or am I just romanticizing you because you don’t act weird and squeamish about my disability

[cripple-threat]

URL Change Notice!

adventuresinchronicillness —> cripple-threat

[friendraichu]

I think that one of the biggest problems with ableism in America is the sinister “good samaritan” disguise it takes.

So much of the ableism we can observe comes from “good intentions”:

- trying to spot “fake” service dogs

- leaving passive aggressive notes on cars that people think shouldn’t be parked in disabled parking spots

- the entire mess that is the assisted suicide movement

- posting “inspirational” photos, videos, and stories about disabled people without their express permission

- using terms like “special needs” and “differently abled”

- trying to cure conditions that are not inherently harmful/fatal like autism or adhd

- overriding the autonomy of disabled people

The arguments I see for these always come from people who refuse to believe they are perpetuating ableism. They insist that they are trying to help disabled people and that these things are “for their own good”.

But they just perpetuate stereotypes and existing power structures already stacked against us.

Listen to disabled people on disabled issues first and foremost. Neurotypical and able-bodied people cannot be seen as the authority on a community they are not apart of.

[malevolentforestfae]

All reasons to use a cane are valid!!!

Highlights from my personal experience:

To make an invisible disability visible

To help with chronic fatigue

To help with chronic pain

To help with joint weakness

To bash ableists upside the head

To help with chronic dizziness

[chronic-confessions]

Confession #5,503

Does anyone else find they do better when other people aren’t around? When I’m on my own I make better decisions with food, I get more stuff done and I’m not stressed. As soon as people are home that all changes. I’m also not as hard on myself when I’m alone; if I don’t have the energy to do something it’s fine. But if other people are they I’m constantly stressed I’m not doing enough…

[onebadghost]

tshirt that reads "I went to the doctor and all they tested was my patience"

[crapchronicles]

[body-of-ouches]

Unrealistic. As if any of us can run

[honeybellybee]

[bendybitchesanonymous]

"You shouldn't be in pain all the time."

"You know what Mags? You're right. You have converted me. I'm not going to be in pain anymore, what's the point? I've decided to turn off my pain receptors and lead a normal life. Thanks for helping me see the light Mags, don't know what I'd have done without you. Can't believe I didn't try this sooner!"

[cripple-threat]

Disability Fun Fact!

Disabled isn’t a bad word

[noping-out-deactivated20241117]

You don’t get to argue with actual disabled people about issues that affect disabled people unless you’re disabled.

“But I take care of a disabled person.” That doesn’t make you disabled. If you’re out here arguing with actual disabled people on issues that affect disabled people, and your “credentials” are that you’re a carer for a disabled person, I feel sorry for whoever is in your care.

[so-over-ableism]

going places with a cane is like *switches the side the cane is on to hold something* *sits down* *cane falls over* *stands up* *sits down* *cane falls over* *switches cane side* *sits down* *cane falls over*

[chronicillnesshelp]

I do think that it’s pretty interesting how this coronavirus pandemic has showcased how manufactured inaccessibility is. 

When I was too sick to attend high school, I was told that any distance learning accommodations were impossible and I was forced to drop out. Now, my same high school has switched to online courses. 

When I asked my college’s disability office if they could offer any accommodations for days I was unable to make it to class due to my illness, I was told that it was not possible, and that if I missed more than the allotted amount of days I would be automatically failed. Now, my college is offering numerous online accommodations any any illness related absences are fully excused. 

When I spoke with my college about the physical problems that the increased burden of work study was causing me, they didn’t care, and said I could either work 20 hours a week or not get the money. Now, they’re funding work study for students who are either ill or who are not physically be on campus.

It almost seems like full accessibility isn’t actually impossible, and institutions just don’t want to make the effort to include disabled individuals. 

Somehow, when abled people need accommodations, they’re readily available. 

[hypermobilebecca]

The fact that “My health is no one else’s business” is heavily considered a controversial statement will never cease to baffle me. Disabled people are not here for your entertainment simply because some of us have visible symptoms, or some symptoms that must be discussed for the sake of accessibility. If I don’t want to disclose information about my health that shouldn’t be seen as rude. Asking highly personal and inappropriate questions and not taking no for an answer, however, SHOULD be.

[thedarklingdude]

The next person to say handi-capable or differently abled or any other butchered ableist version of disabled gets the nearest item within reach thrown at them

[crippleds]

reminder that mobility aids are called that for a reason. we are not constrained or "caged" to our mobility aids. they allow us more freedom with them than without them, and just because they dont look "pretty" or "normal" doesnt mean we are chained to them

[ordenna-deactivated20181024]

this book is worth more than a dozen restaurants that grow their own microgreens on the roof

[watchoutfordinosaurs]

ACCESSIBLE GARDENING FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

[recreationalwitchcraft]

So important!