How the Ugly Laws were designed to keep disabled people out of sight

Today first takes us to the lovely Portland Oregon where we’re learning about “The Ugly Laws” that were created to stop disabled people from being seen in public and “obstructing the roadways.” For people with visible disabilities, this history will not sound surprising, considering how entitled the public feels to comment on the way disability…Continue reading How the Ugly Laws were designed to keep disabled people out of sight

The devastating impact of Covid 19 on disabled people

Covid and disabled people feel like a topic that has been touched on many times. Somehow though, it feels like the news articles miss the mark. So today I want to talk being disabled in a pandemic. In February 2020, I didn’t know I was disabled. Hard to believe, right? I knew I was in…Continue reading The devastating impact of Covid 19 on disabled people

how to live hopefully when you have a chronic illness

How to live hopefully when you have a chronic illness

I’m desperately hiding outside on this gorgeous fall day to avoid my precocious 10 year old who hasn’t stopped talking for 45 minutes. By haven’t stopped talking, I mean he has barely taken a single breath, and certainly hasn’t allowed me to get in a word besides “oh wow” and “that’s cool.” This is my…Continue reading How to live hopefully when you have a chronic illness

Pain awareness and being called to be brave

Sheryl over at A Chronic Voice hosts a monthly get together for people with chronic illnesses to write about certain topics. This month we’re talking about: Feeling, Grueling, Tempting, Running, and Mending. September is also pain awareness month and so I’ll be filtering my posts through the lens of chronic pain all month. Feeling I…Continue reading Pain awareness and being called to be brave

Supporting, Limiting, Studying, Watching, Healing: Support for people with chronic illness

Unlocking, Limiting, Studying, Watching, and Healing: Support for People with Chronic Illness

Sheryl over at A Chronic Voice hosts a monthly get together for people with chronic illnesses to write about certain topics. This month we’re talking about: Unlocking, Limiting, Studying, Watching, and Healing. UNLOCKING Covid- 19 lockdown seems like it’s going on forever. Even though there are no laws in place keeping me at home, I…Continue reading Unlocking, Limiting, Studying, Watching, and Healing: Support for People with Chronic Illness

when you have a chronic illness, quarantine life is nothing new

When you have a chronic illness, quarantine life is nothing new

Some of the world is starting to emerge from quarantine, while others are head back into it because of reopening too soon (thanks Texas). But while healthy people get to go back to their regularly scheduled lives, people with chronic illness or disabilities are being left behind. It’s still too dangerous for anyone with health…Continue reading When you have a chronic illness, quarantine life is nothing new

The end of wandering in the darkness, alone (How we can work to create a better world)

In my dreams there is a different world. It’s a beautiful world full of a exquisite colors and patterns. It is filled with delight and wonder. In this world curiosity and deep thought are encouraged and not derided or mocked. In this world people try to understand and empathize with each other. In this world…Continue reading The end of wandering in the darkness, alone (How we can work to create a better world)

how to make decisions about easing up Covid-19 lockdown

How to make decisions about easing up Covid-19 lockdown

Covid-19 lockdown means that at this particular moment I’m watching (and listening to the narration) of  my son building a train track. Normally he would never demean himself far enough to play with a toy, but quarantine is no joke and he is bored out of his mind. School is almost out and online learning…Continue reading How to make decisions about easing up Covid-19 lockdown

how to be brave in the face of chronic illness

How to be brave in the face of chronic illness

Let’s talk about bravery. The word conjures of an image of heroes, fictional or real.  Currently we’re having conversations about the bravery of the nurses and doctors that are saving lives during this pandemic. These conversations are important right now and I don’t want to take away from them , but today I want to…Continue reading How to be brave in the face of chronic illness

Surviving Covid-19 when you have a chronic illness

Surviving Covid-19 when you have a chronic illness

The most prolonged, stressful experience I’ve ever had in my life was living through Hurricane Harvey. Because the waters kept rising at night, I didn’t sleep for 5 days straight. I’d be up all night watching to torrential rain come down, and watching the water line come up. I put up everything of value on…Continue reading Surviving Covid-19 when you have a chronic illness