The Chronic Creative

Blog about living with fibromyalgia, CFS / ME, anxiety and depression. Health Journal & Art Therapy.

[the-creative-kay]

I learned that today is severe M.E. day so I decided I wanted to dedicate the two marker sketch I was supposed to do to it. But of course, M.E. hit me pretty hard today so I’m not done…

[annieelainey]

Adapting to disability is NOT "giving in" to disability.

[the-creative-kay]

Kisses <3

Now in color! #HappyPride I even successfully finished them in time for the Amour is Love expo by The Woman Power in collaboration with Fierté Montréal / Montréal Pride I’m so excited for this!!!!! #amourislove Which one is your favorite? 

[the-chronic-creative]

My fibro was flaring so much last week and I really struggled to finish them. I’m so happy and proud of myslef right now :D

[the-chronic-creative]

Endometriosis Questions

Hey peeps! I’m currently on standby for an endometriosis diagnosis. I have some tests to pass and I’m a bit stressed about it. My generalist completely dismissed me when my test came back normal. I went to see my gynecologist this week and she was like WTF lol, so I’m starting over with her. Might also be something else. 

Going through this waiting time for a diagnosis thing again is really stressful and tiring. So, I have a couple of question for the endo warriors out there, if you don’t mind. Thanks in advance.

How did you get your diagnosis? What treatment worked for you? What shoud I expect? Any tips in symptoms management? If you went through this and it was not endometriosis in the end, what was it?

[the-chronic-creative]

Very good read.

[themushr000m]

[almorosa-deactivated20170822]

I feel like this is the goddamn wave for me

[neutrois]

Inside the Landmark, Long Overdue Study on Chest Binding | Broadly

Chest binding is an everyday reality for many transgender and non-binary people, but healthcare professionals know little about the practice. The first ever medical study on the practice says that it&#39;s time to change that.

New research conducted by The Binding Health Project and published in Culture, Health, and Society—which they say is the first study on chest binding published in a medical journal—shows that a discussion on how to help people bind safely and effectively is long overdue.

The researchers hope that the study will provide an initial roadmap for change, educating physicians on the benefits and impacts of binding and allowing those who bind to take charge of their health. … 

According to the study, binding was a “daily occurrence” for its participants. Just over half of respondents bound their chests seven days a week, with people binding for an average of ten hours a day.

From our own experience, we know about the effects of binding (positive for mental health, negative for back, posture, etc), but most of our health providers do not even know what a binder is. 

Research like this is super important because it educates the medical community that cares for us

[thischroniclife]

A Spoonie's pain tolerance vs. everyone else's idea of what should be painful...

[the-creative-kay]

Sketches for my submission to the Amour Is Love exhibition by @the_woman_power I’ve had this simple illustration serie on my mind for a long while now. When the call for artist appeared on my feed, I was like  "Yep, it’s time to draw those!“

Still don’t know what I’ll do with the BG. Hope I’ll be able to finish them in time for the deadline, with my fibro flaring… If not, I’ll probably use them for a zine

Which one is your fav?

Ref by http://themalenudestock.deviantart.com/ aka @felixdeon (his art is awesome) #senshistock http://senshistock.deviantart.com/

[the-creative-kay]

My hands have been quite swollen those past days. Holding a pencil hurts so drawing is a no no. After a couple of days of not drawing at all, I get this itch and I just have to. So here is what I managed today. I might ink them later, but right now my hands need a break.

[the-creative-kay]

Nintendo Is Failing Its Disabled Fans

AJ Ryan wants to play the new Zelda game, but right now, it's a frustrating mess. This is something Nintendo can fix.

I’m still looking at my copy of Skyward Swords with anger and sadness ‘cause I’ll never be able to play it…. -_-

“This obvious lack of care is pretty standard operating procedure from Nintendo,” said AbleGamers COO Steve Spohn. “Not only do we consider Nintendo platforms to be the most inaccessible, they are the only major publishing house to ignore our requests for accessibility improvements.”

[the-creative-kay]

Went to the dopest fundraiser last night for Racines bookstore. They want to open a specialized bookstore and art space for racialized minorities in my hood!

The spoken words, music and rap performances gave me goosebumps. I sketched the performers while they did their thing. Tried my best to stylized them while capturing their features in very little time. It was super awesome and I met AMAZING peeps!

The event was at Artizans422 a salon specialized in #naturalhair in downtown Montreal. Check ‘em out. I need to go back and buy hair products :)

You can help this project by giving here : https://www.gofundme.com/2dr9jzg

[chronicallyliv]

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?

Sickle Cell Anemia is a blood disorder where there’s a lack of oxygen in my red blood cells. Because of the lack of oxygen they become sticky and sickle shaped. The shape plus the stickiness makes my blood clump together in my veins as well as capillaries. There’s 2 basic types, the full blown disease and the trait. People who have the trait are just carriers of the disease. Both my parents have the trait so there was a 25% chance I’d have the disease. Low and behold I have it lol Unfortunately, there is no universal cure. However, people who qualify for it can have a bone marrow transplant, the donor has to be a match or your body will reject it. I don’t qualify for it so I’ll have the disease for the rest of my life. Bone marrow makes red blood cells so that’s why bone marrow transplants would cure it. “Minor” symptoms from the disease are pain, fatigue, and swelling. Because Sickle Cell makes your blood sticky causing it to get stuck together, severe/life threatening symptoms include but are not limited to stroke, tissue damage, organ damage or organ failure, and necrosis (cell death experienced in tissue, organs, or bones). To keep close watch of potential stroke, doctors monitor brain activity through ultrasounds of your temples up until you’re 16yrs old to make sure blood flow is ok in your brain. Right around 16 your skull is too thick to get a clear picture anymore. They also do yearly eye exams to check the blood vessels in your eyes. So far I’ve been cleared for both tests and had no signs of problems(:

[thefibrodiaries]

abled person: well as an abled person with a disabled friend / sibling / cousin / dog 

me:

abled person: I think disabled people should -

me:

[bekindbegoodbebrave]

Raise your hand if the Spoonie Community has helped you feel less alone 

[plasmastainedbones]

Things people newly diagnosed with chronic illnesses should know

Symptoms fluctuate

Bad days don’t last forever

Good days don’t mean you’re faking

If you think your doctor is wrong, you have the right to say so

Likewise, if you think your doctor is ignoring you, you have the right to say so and demand a new doctor

Don’t be afraid of mobility aids

You don’t have to answer strangers’ questions

Your life isn’t over

Some people might leave. They don’t matter.

The people who support you are great

You are allowed to complain

You’re not worthless

You’re loved and supported even if it doesn’t always feel like it

You are not alone

[chronicillnessproblems]

Also, it’s okay to have trouble accepting any of these things, and your feelings are ALWAYS valid. 

[enjolrasjosette]

It’s a never ending grieving process. You go through all the stages time and time again. And that’s normal.

[alexeidarling]

Apparently I’m not done gushing over Julia yet. Check this out: Elmo sees that Julia is happy-stimming with her bunny, and when she doesn’t respond, he says they can play “side by side, like we do sometimes”. Then, when Julia is ready, she joins in with Elmo. It’s on her terms. That’s how it’s done.

[metapianycist]

accessibility notes: video doesn’t have captions yet. (the sesame street channel usually captions the videos)

[13faeinapenguinsuit]

This is so beautiful. The lack of eye contact by Julia initially is bringing tears to my eyes. This is how I played growing up. This is how I wanted to play with my friends. This is how I do things with my friends as an adult. Side by side, sometimes doing our own thing, sometimes together.

I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING!

Who am I kidding… I’m bawling my eyes out watching this. 37 years old I finally get to see myself on TV.

[thenerdyautistic]

I was sceptical, but I like this! It’s got such a simple message of difference but it’s so wonderful to see it in a show aimed at kids. Side by side is something highly relatable and something that should be encouraged!

[13faeinapenguinsuit]

All the shorts are like this. Elmo and Abby Cadabby always meet Julia half way. Julia rarely if ever makes eye contact. And she talks entirely in echolalia. It is surreal to see this representation as an adult. And the feels… I can’t even begin to describe the rollercoaster going on inside of me. If her future appearances are half as good as what I’ve seen so far, I would still be overjoyed. 

[garr9988]

@affectos

[affectos]

I was similar to this growing up, so knowing that young kids will now learn how to befriend people with autism and not to treat them as weird will go so far

[wolf2009]

I love thus so much. I never had autism but my baby cousin did and hiw julia was in thus us hiw he acted. Thank you so much sesame street for doing this.