#spoonieblr

[ferretly]

I’d like to make my own shoutout post, because I haven't seen any for this yet—

But shoutout to people who have physical disabilities that are isolating not only in the more common sense (perhaps being unable to drive or attend live events or etc.), but who are also isolated from their social worlds online because they’re unable to (or it’s extremely difficult/painful to) use keyboards or phones without extremely expensive and/or time-consuming assistive software.

This extends to anyone needing things beyond what usual ergonomics can provide—people who have limb weakness or paralysis, with conditions such as myositis, sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, GBS, ALS, or even strokes and injuries.

So shoutout to those folks who often don’t have a voice because of weakness or pain or because it just takes too long to write out your thoughts with assistive technology

Shoutout to those who use speech-to-text software

Shoutout to those who use eye-tracking software to type

Shoutout to those who use software that tracks head movements to control their computers

Shoutout to those who use mouth or chin mice to control their computers

Feel free to add anything that I missed! I love you all, and may the rest of the year be without flares & complications. <3 Be well!

[nannahdraws]

I need to brainstorm some alternate ways to make art that don't involve needing a steady hand or basically holding a pencil for any amount of time. My arthritis has gotten to a point where I can't really even write by hand anything longer than something Post-it note length.

Anyone have ideas that I could explore? Of course, fingerpainting is an option. I can still do some paper craft, but it just takes me about 100 years because I need to take breaks every five minutes to stretch my fingers out. I've never really tried abstract painting before, I wouldn't know how to even begin. But I guess that's an option?

Any more ideas? I would really, really appreciate it. Sorry for not being active, but I didn't think that within a couple months my disease would progress so quickly.

[blackinthestacks]

Me, starting grad school: Wow, this is gonna be awesome! I can't believe it, this is exactly what I want to do with my life!

The gremlin in my brain that likes to tear me down: Just wait until they figure out what a useless loser you. You probably won't make it. Who do you think you are, anyway?

My friends and family: That gremlin is a filthy liar and you rock and you totally belong there!

My health: *craps out*

My finances: *crap out*

My housing: *craps out*

Me: This is harder than I expected.

My cohort: You're doing really great, interesting work and I look forward to where you take it for your dissertation!

Me: Cool, thanks. I'm struggling, but I'm glad y'all like my work!

A professor: I understand that you've had a lot of difficulties this year, and you're not the first. I also know that you're having the exact difficulties that your letter of accommodations indicated you would have, which I am requested to accommodate. Still, you haven't met my rigid expectations, and you should consider that maybe you don't belong here.

The gremlin: See, what did I say? Called it. *high-fives self*

Me: Maybe I DON'T belong here.

My advisor: Whoa, hey, wait a second, she said WHAT now?! That is just not appropriate, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind!

Me: *is uncomfortable* Uh, okay. Thanks?

The gremlin: That's a fluke. There's still time for him to figure out you're a useless loser. He's gonna be so disappointed he went to bat for you when it turns out you can't hack it after all.

Me: ...crap.

[sniffanimal]

because I see a lot of posts about it, just a reminder that, in the united states, there is no such thing as “Registration” for a service dog or emotional support animal. any websites like [this] or [this] that offer registration in exchange for a fee are SCAMS! 

to get a service dog, you must first have a disability that can be helped by the presence of a service dog! This does include mental illnesses such as PTSD and autism (those tend to be considered psychiatric service dogs), and physical disabilities such as mobility issues and diabetes. Then, you can either contact an agency that trains service dogs and pay for a fully trained dog, or you can train your own dog by yourself or with a training company (like [this one], in Arizona).  Your dog MUST be trained fully to be a service dog. It must have some tasks it is trained to do to help you, such as deep pressure therapy, or alerting for seizures. If it’s job is “comfort me”, then it is an emotional support animal.

to get an emotional support animal, you need a doctors note saying you need this animal to help you mentally. ESA’s, in the united states, are only offered protection in housing (such as apartments that don’t normally allow pets), or when flying on airplanes. service dogs are allowed in almost all public places. ESAs are not. 

Here’s an ADA faq sheet on service dogs.

If you have any questions, my ask box is open!

[ferretly]

I feel like I'm tormented by all the things that I want to do and can't do! Everything uses your goddamn hands/fingers! I could read, yes, I could watch TV, I could write something using my dragon software, but does anyone have any other ideas of things to do that don't use my hands? Why are there so few things??

[blackinthestacks]

Me, trying to study: dang, why am I having so much trouble concentrating right now

My adderall, wearing off:

[blackinthestacks]

Goodbye, 2019 spring semester

This was my first year of grad school, and I feel so wrung out right now, but I’ve turned in all my papers for the semester, and I deserve a break before my summer session starts.

Today’s agenda: hammock naps, Kitchen Nightmare episodes, cooking, laundry, phone games, early bedtime.

[ferretly]

does anyone know how i could possibly convert handwritten notes to typed text? either by like getting a tablet w/ an app or literally however this would be possible.