Vogue vomit

I wouldn’t wish _______ on my worst enemy. That common, certainly overused, phrase fits how I feel about my health challenges. Unstoppable pain, ever-changing symptoms, dramatic physical changes, life altering daily struggles, etc. My broken body is my burden. My unfathomable new existence. Even after nearly a decade of trying to find a normal, I …

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Spruce ter-let

My frustrations with ablism around most outdoor adventures are numerous. One of the most glaring shortcomings we face on the daily is a lack of access to bathroom facilities. This complaint runs across the board. For all genders, all types of disability, all ages, etc. Every person needs and deserves access to clean functional toilets.  …

Entitled rollers

Most of us who struggle with chronic medical conditions are quite empathetic. We know pain. We know invisibility. We know that everyone has their own struggles. There comes a point where kindness and understanding become traits which get taken advantage of in the larger world.  A new phenomenon called “trans ableism” had begun to simmer …

Sustain-able

Can any of us live “sustainably” with a chronic illness? I aspire to leaving a small carbon footprint. The IG-worthy images of reusable and minimalist lifestyles appeal to me. The idea of living light and making a more positive than negative impact on my surroundings… that all feels very right. Unfortunately, those desires tend to …

Eddie would go

I had the blessing of a childhood tightly intertwined with nature. Instead of days spent with a television babysitter or smartphone appendage, I was nearly always outdoors. Rain, shine, or storm I was outside with only my imagination, friends, and ingenuity.  The reason I’m highlighting my relationship with growing up in a nature-filled life, is …

So many sorrys

We’ve been apologizing for as long as I can remember. Saying sorry to anyone who happens to see you on a hard day. Cowering to the people who consider our existence an inconvenience. Trying to soothe the awkwardness of those around us when we are flaring.  From the first time I was brought into the …

Walk this way

Much of Europe has notoriously tiny roads. The age of their infrastructure means that cobblestones, tight alleyways, and unleveled sidewalks are commonplace. The same can be said for many other parts of the world. Things are even less user-friendly in rural and underfunded communities. Bumpy dirt paths, potholes the size of small planets, and worn …

Seeking sameness

A while ago, I met a man who wanted to date a female version of himself. His complaints about potential matches usually revolved around their way of speaking, dietary choices, hobbies, opinions, romantic needs, taste in media, etc. Basically, he was dissatisfied with each person because they had a personality of their own. He would …

Crushed by assumptions

People with bent and broken bodies are often presumed to be weak. We are thought to have the same mental and emotional deficits that our external selves display. This becomes even more complicated with invisible disabilities. Looking healthy but having physical challenges means that people assume laziness and lies on top of the incorrect belief …

Bedknobs

I don’t currently live with anyone. Over the years I’ve lived alone and shared a home with roommates, friends, partners, and family. There are many positives about having a space to yourself. I think we can all understand the pleasures of finding out that your bustling or shared household is yours alone for a single …