deck-of-disorders
[Header Image ID: The disability pride month. It's dark gray with five diagonal stripes, in the following colors: red, yellow, white, blue and green. ]
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Latest Posts by deck-of-disorders
physically disabled people quietly wishing there was a cure or treatment for their debilitating medical conditions are not “eugenicists” yall need to seriously stop pretending like disabled people’s innermost and darkest thoughts govern the universe and society around you. it’s getting weird
it would be so cool if able bodied people could get it through their heads that i dont just get a little tired or hurt a little bit when i do things.
“we need to start doing xyz —” i cant “but it needs to get done” i still cant “but —” cant :)
Sometimes being disabled feels like you’re surrounded by people with superpowers, and you’re the only regular human.
Because I don’t really feel like I can do less—I feel normal. I’m so in tune with my own body, my own abilities, my own experience. I’ve lived this way for so long.
But then I look at other people, and see how much more they can do, their stamina, their resiliency, and I’m…baffled. Befuddled. Astonished. They seem downright superhuman compared to me. They seem like goddamn superheroes.
It's all fun and games talking about your disability and advocating for it until your disability disables you and you start hearing that stupid voice in your head telling you that you're a faker and don't deserve your accommodations
me when the disability disables me: oh what the fuck? this sucks. what the hell man!
fellow heat sensitive individuals. go drink water. learn from my folly.
if heat makes you flare up, GO DRINK WATER
if your meds lower your heat tolerance, GO DRINK WATER
if none of the above apply to you but youre still suffering through a heat wave GO DRINK WATER RIGHT NOW
btw if you can't, won't, or don't want to brush your teeth for any reason, i extremely strongly recommend orbit gum.
it's sugar free and ideal to chew it after eating--when you do that it helps prevent cavities according to the american dental association :3 your teeth will feel and be cleaner and also like it's fun to chew gum
[personally a fan of their sweet mint flavor because it's minty without being painful/overpowering but there's also a lot more of them--bubblemint's good too]
misogyny in relation to psychiatry involving treatment and diagnosis of autism is a completely valid conversation to have but i've seen some tiktok girlies acting like more 'problematic' behaviors such as violence in relation to autism are a Boy Thing and a result of entitlement when that's just...not how autism works. of course there are some differences in presentation based on gender roles influencing parenting but there are still girls who have the exact same issues regardless because the truth is not everyone ends up in the same place even when raised a certain way. there is so much bioessentialism in discussions of mental health that are is harmful and ironically incredibly misogynistic--like it's "boys will be boys" rhetoric no matter how progressive you make it sound.
collection of useful things tumblr has taught me:
even if you can't fall asleep, laying down with your eyes closed will still rest your body
you don't have to brush your teeth standing up
you don't have to do any chore standing up, from dishes to showering
you don't have to shower with the lights on
if you can't brush your teeth, flossing and a tongue scraper gets rid of plaque and bad breath
if you can't do that, mouthwash kills a lot of bacteria
eating "unhealthy" food is better than eating no food
you can make the same meal everyday for however long you still want it
some pills come in syrups or chewables if you can't swallow them
kids nutritional shakes can be a quick way to get fuel if you can't eat/don't have time
if walking hurts/exhausts you on a regular basis, canes and rollers are for you, no matter how young you are
we have free will—if doing something "out of the ordinary" makes life easier for you, do it
autism thing where i have to watch youtubers i generally agree with react to every drama or apology ever (multiple sources) because someone can make the worst, most manipulative and dishonest apology video, and i will watch it and go "yeah okay :3"
i just cannot detect it like at all. i will not notice anything is wrong. & then the youtuber reacting is like "look how awful that was look at all of these bad things they did in it" and every time i'm like holy shit man you're so right actually i did not see
have to be super careful about where i get my news bc i know i'm so easily influenced bc i miss out on this stuff. & i'm tired of ppl talking down on people who don't pick up on this on their own. it's not my fault. i try to educate myself by watching other ppl talk about it but if i make a mistake please just educate me don't assume i'm evil?
Disability will have you thinking shit like “I’m not even that disabled. I can manage as long as I limit myself to very specific careers, never go shopping for more than an hour or two at a time, keep my plans open so I can cancel and stay in if need be, and only go out a few nights per week at the most”
if you have violent intrusive thoughts I love you. if you have sexual intrusive thoughts I love you. if you have bigoted intrusive thoughts I love you. you are not your thoughts and you are worthy of love and care and help and affection. you are not a monster you’re a person going through it and that’s okay
Autism acceptance includes accepting all autistic manners of communication.
That means supporting autistic people who talk in a "very childish" way. (I do this a lot irl)
Autistic people who do "TV talking" (this means talking like a character from your favorite media,basically talking in quotes and copying their speech patterns,as far as I know)
Autistic people who use echolia.
Autistic people who are very awkward/quirky when they communicate.
Autistic people who are overly technical,or have very sophisticated and articulate speech.
Autistic people who mumble.
Autistic people who talk really fast.
Autistic people who can't control their tone of voice/inflection.
Autistic people who talk in a monotone voice.
Autistic people who use different kind of sounds,or body language to communicate.
Autistic people who talk slowly and draw out their syllables.
Autistic people who use a lot of sentance fillers.
Autistic people who use Aac devices,communication cards,etc etc.
Edit: acceptance of nonverbal autistics is also necessary. Nonverbal people deserve love,respect,acceptance,accommodation and support.
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For all my over-heating spoonies out there:
While doing chores/moving around, if you start to get really warm, put ice packs in your pockets, 10/10
Drink lots of ice water, but not all at once, your body might freak a little and go nauseous
Have a large amount of tank tops in various colors, when you go out and have to look a bit more formal, use a cardigan/very thin jacket so you always have the option to take it off
Spray bottles on mist form <3
Sometimes resting, or laying down, helps to cool off cause you're not using energy
Keep your bare feet on the cool tile/wood/etc. as often as possible
Bowl of ice in front of a fan works weirdly well
Popsicles, but make sure they're not high in sugar/dairy/etc. because those can make it worse
I know it would seem like tiny tight clothes would be best, but make sure your clothes aren't tight, you don't have to wear long flowing capes and gowns but having shorts that are cotton/loose are always much better.
The backs of your arms (the upper half) your feet, and your knees are often colder than the rest of your body, utilize that
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I need non autistic people to realise meltdowns are a real debilitating thing that has a serious effect on your mental and physical health NOWWWWW!!! The way its been trivialized and lessened pisses me the fuck off. It's not a tantrum and it doesn't come from "being too weak-willed" it's painful and it's embarrassing AND MOST OF ALL IT'S INVOLUNTARY!! Don't claim to be an ally to autistic or disabled people and then make fun of people who have meltdowns. Literally get the hell out of my sight
Trauma is the response, not the event.
And when we talk about how DID is formed from severe childhood trauma, what is not meant is that what happened to you needs to have been objectively "severe". If you have severe trauma responses (such as DID), then you have severe trauma.
Your trauma is enough regardless of what happened to you.
Trauma is incredibly subjective; what was incredibly traumatizing for one person may not be for another. How we become traumatized is related to a complex web of factors. No case of traumatization will look the exact same.
Trauma is not a competition. What matters is that it affects you. It's enough.
therapists saying you're surprisingly self aware is like being called a pleasure to have in class for adults
this disability pride month, i ask that you include OCD on your mental illness positivity posts. for some reason we are rarely included in those. much love to all my OCD homies
You’re still chronically ill if you have a good day. You’re still valid. Your chronic illness is still valid if you have one good day out of a hundred bad days.
Autistic people’s relationship with sex is treated so horribly in so many different ways it’s genuinely fucking frustrating. Whenever a character is depicted with autistic traits a thousand weirdos manifest into existence to say that their cute little autism blorbo “doesn’t know what sex is and must be protected” but over in real kink circles with high populations of autistic people (furry porn and shit) they suddenly become the crazy degenerate perverts. To the greater society at large autistic people expressing their sexuality aren’t allowed to be considered normal, we either have to be sterile and nonexistent or a group of freaky sexual deviants. Give me a fucking break dude.
When I say “school should be disability accessible”, I don’t just mean we need handicap rails and EAs. Kids should be able to miss a day without failing out of school. You shouldn’t be dismissed from clubs because your attendance record is “spotty” (true story). I once missed an entire week of school because of a terrible, unending migraine. I was expected to keep up with my studies despite the blinding pain that came with working on my computer. When I heard my teachers say that you couldn’t miss exams, I asked what I would have to do to be excused from them. Their response? “Either get a doctor’s note an hour before the exam or death of an immediate family member.”
I cannot express how rigid this expectation was. First of all, with my condition, I wouldn’t have enough warning about my sickness to go to the doctor and request a note. For many people, this is exceptionally difficult, especially with the current shortage of medical professionals. Next, it ignores the fact that my schedule may not line with theirs because of my medical needs. Once, I had to visit a hospital a province away (which I was on the waiting list of for over a year) on the same day as an exam. I begged my mother not to take me because I was so nervous that I would be marked as an automatic fail. I was lucky enough to make it work, but that’s only because of my spectacular support system consisting of family members and wonderful doctors.
Disabilities aren’t always about needing a bus that can accommodate wheelchairs. It’s already difficult enough for many of us to maintain school attendance without the harsh punishments involved for skipping a day. We need to be able to miss school without being punished. Only than can you claim that the school is “accessible”
“If you have time to be on social media, you also have time for…” “If you have time to watch Netflix, you also have time for…” Yeah, but do I have the energy for it? Do I have the emotional and mental capacity for it? Am I pain-free enough for it? Can I focus on it? Can I do it without leaving my bed? Can I safely do it without risk of (physically or emotionally) injuring myself by pushing past my boundaries?
you know what, shoutout to the neurodivergent people with "scary" symptoms.
the ones who:
-say dark things without realizing
-talk to themselves
-have homicidal thoughts
-get really, really angry
-make others uncomfortable on accident
-don't tolerate bullshit
-can't/won't mask
-have dark interests
-have genuinely hurt others before
-have been in a psych ward before
-obsess over people
-have intrusive thoughts about hurting people
-have sexual intrusive thoughts
-don't really care about others much
-always choose themselves first
-have low/no empathy
-are seen as creepy or scary by others
this goes out to my folks with autism that isn't "uwu cute". personality disorder havers. schizospec people. ocders. odd and ied havers. and anyone and everyone else.
this post does not support intentionally hurting people. but people who have hurt others in the past and have changed or are trying to change/in the process of changing are more than welcome here.
Survival tips for when you're disabled and living in poverty
I've seen a few of these helpful posts on here and I thought I would make my own. These are just what helps me and what I've learned over the years to survive. I will continue to update this so please check back every so often.
Don't be ashamed to shop at dollar stores, Aldi, thrift stores, habitat for humanity stores, dumpster dive, take what's thrown to the curb, use food banks, get assistance. I've gotten some decent things that way. Always check with your counties human service department, churches(if you're comfortable with that) they will likely have resources for you (If in the US, please share info if not in US, all are welcome).
Couldn't brush your hair for a few days? Kids detangling spray helps a lot and smells good!
Haven't showered for a while? Keep around wipes, deodorant, dry shampoo. If you have to just stand in the water and rinse your body off or just wash the important parts ( pits, crotch and butt, if you can do more then add in your feet and hair. If you still smell okay but hairs a little greasy? Just wash hair in the sink. You don't have to shower everyday (if you can great).
Brushing teeth is a challenge? Keep floss(I prefer flossers), toothpaste,toothbrush, a cup, water and a towel by your bed, just do it there while watching something and when you get up take it to the kitchen or bathroom. You can even use a washcloth to quickly rub your teeth with then use mouthwash(if you can stand the feeling of it lol). Keep some of those single use disposable travel tooth wisps. Chew some sugar free gum. I've also learned that if you just wet your toothbrush with water and brush like that it will still help more than doing nothing.
Btw you don't have to just do your washing/grooming in the bathroom. I wash my hair and teeth in the kitchen because it's higher, less back pain for me.
Have chronic pain? Maybe have a hard time bending or just can't seem to change underwear. It's okay, take a box and put all your underwear and socks in it then store it by your toilet. We all have to use it eventually so while you're there you can slip something fresh on.
Can't remember things due to memory issues or easily distracted? Take advantage of your phone timer and clock. Or buy a timer. I personally have to set an alarm for everything from food to laundry. Keep notes in your phone or written down, put down how long things take like laundry or food, it makes it good smoothly.
IF you can afford to, it's always worth buying products that can serve you and make life easier. Like an extendable scrub brush for showers to floors.
Don't be ashamed to use medical aid equipment. You don't have to prove you need it, if it makes your life easier then you need it. Check you local VA office or Human service office or sometimes charity thrift stores, they might have some you can buy for cheap or have for free(at least where I live they do, again for the US).
If able to and it serves you, get a shower chair, a detachable shower head, a foot scrub mat, a bidet(seriously though if you have IBS or bleed heavy on your period it's so worth it and you save money on toilet paper, especially if you get one with a dryer)
Have heavy periods? Buy the adult diapers, don't be ashamed and for extra protection lay a training pad or dark towel down to lay on.
Always keep a big jug of vinegar around, you can do so much with it, from cleaning house, laundry, cooking, and much more.
Cleaning your home or space can be very overwhelming. So just do what you can. You don't have to do everything at once like you can just do one small thing a day or when you have time. If you're not going to wash dishes rinse them off first before putting it in sink. Use empty food containers(like butter or whipped cream container) or freezer bags to store food because if you aren't feeling it you can just toss it.
Keep trash bags in your room. Get a degreaser dish soap. Get a scrub wand. Get gloves if you don't like how it feels to do dishes or clean. Let your pots and pans soak in soap and hot water, but don't let it set for long or it could rust. If you can buy nonstick pots and pans, cleaning is so much easier just never use metal utensils on it. Washing one plate is better than washing no dishes.
Listen to music or a podcast or anything while you do things to help pass the time
Keep water by your daily meds.
Don't feel guilty for using disposable dishes. Sometimes you just need it to get by and make things a little easier in a life that's really hard.
When you get up to go somewhere just take a moment to stretch and move a little.
If you're going outside, take trash with you and check your mail, take a moment to breathe and let the sunlight and or fresh air greet you. Just enjoy it for a moment. If it's at night enjoy the fresh air and night sky.
If you have a pet, ask your vet if they have any financial aid programs to help with vet bills. Where I live they have a financial aid program and the option for a special credit card (mines called Care Credit it pays for vet visits and dentist) you make a payment every month but I will warn you interest is high and you will have to take out personal bank loans just to pay it off, it barely goes down and these aids are unfortunately hard to get accepted for, but worth a shot. Sometimes (be smart about this though) you can solve the issues with your pets on your own. I've delt with a lot and couldn't afford many vet visits for my cats, so I'd do my research and oftentimes just call the vet for at home advice, and I'd buy what I needed in the pet store. (I've treated, hotspots, UTIs, wounds, and lots of other situations) but like I said be smart about it, if something is wrong and it's out of your control take your fur babies in, please.
The library is your friend, use it. It has so many resources for you to use. If you're not sure they have what you need just call or email them. Some offer items like sewing machines, kitchen appliances you can check out. Some if not most even have books you can listen to by audio or a free streaming services (it ain't Netflix but it's free). Just ask, those librarians are there to help and want to help.
Download apps like Pluto tv, you can watch free shows and sometimes movies, there are break ads and it's not as nice as other streaming services but it's free.
If you need a phone try applying for a government cell phone, I'll be honest they aren't like the nice new ones and can be slow but you can call and text and use some apps and if you stay within your minutes that month you never have to pay.
You can sometimes find government programs that help with internet and sometimes a computer or tablet.
Get a slow cooker, rice cooker, any kitchen appliance that makes cooking easy. You can get these at thrift stores, Aldi and other places for cheap.
If you have earrings like studs or any piercings I suppose, keep rubber gloves and alcohol pads on hand and find some baggies. Every so often take them out, they will probably be gross, just clean them with the alcohol pads and put them in the bag, the clean your ears. Let them breath then change to new jewelry. If they are stuck like mind sometimes do (this happens usually with screw on backs) don't panic. Wipe it and your ear with the alcohol pad then put on the gloves and twist, it might take a few goes. It that doesn't do anything, take some pliers sanitize it with alcohol, put something like the glove between the jewelry and pliers then twist, that should get it off. I need to inform people that earrings do get dirty, it happens, you can be super clean and still get some gunk. Doesn't mean it's infected or you're gross or doing a bad job. Some people produce more oils and stuff then others. In my case I have a skin condition, I'm very clean. They get a lot of "ear cheese" but they're not infected, it's just I produce more oils and stuff there.
If you struggle with laundry whether it's affording it or doing it, let me tell you my secret, I WILL get hate for this. As long as you're clothes don't smell or are dirty or full of sweat, or you just keep wearing them for a short time, you don't have to wash them. But like if they do start to smell and are dirty and full of sweat, yeah wash them. This is just for pants, hoodies, jackets, tops and dresses. ALWAYS wash underwear and socks, and you can let your bra or binder go but you gotta wash it sometimes. You can just give it a good wash in the sink and air dry it too. And with blankets, just wash the sheets and pillows cases, unless the comforter or top blankets need a wash.
On that note if you get a mattress use a protector sheet under the fitted sheet and freshen it up once in a while (find how to online) it will last longer and stay cleaner and you won't have to buy a new one for a while.
If you're feeling stressed or going through trauma, don't be afraid of play! Buy those toys(child or adult toys whatever you want), play, it helps with stress so much! Forget about what others may think.
And if showers or baths bore you, buy toys or shower bath crayons or paint or those color tablets. You can even buy a bubble machine for the bath tub, so much fun I swear.
If you want to relax by reading but don't like anything out for adults, get books for kids! Who cares!
If you have a habit of getting fruit flies, if you are able to try getting carnivorous plants.
I just learned that if you have a paper shredder and shred a bunch of stuff you can use the shreds as cat litter! You need to change it completely out about everything other day so I'd use a litter liner or wear gloves. Litter is expensive and this way it insures no one will steal you document info.
Just a hack but if you have anxiety or trouble reading the menu or deciding. Bring up the restaurants menu on your phone before ordering (this is more for fast food), it always helps me a lot.
Always keep vinegar, applesauce, flour, sugar, brown sugar, spices, coco power, butter, salt on hand.
A very common trick to make milk or soap stretch is to add water. It's not great but it can help. Also don't be afraid to but powdered or boxed milk.
So that's all I can think of that helps me survive that also might help you as well. Also I shouldn't have to say this but this is a judgement free post, if you're going to make judgemental comments then you're not welcome here. To Everyone else please feel free to add on to this post with what helps you and would like to pass on. You do not have to be disabled to like or reblog this post, If you find it helpful, wonderful. 🤓✌️
Update with any helpful resources I can find, ease add your own.
If you're on EBT/SNAPs you can install the app called providers to check your card balance instead of calling, it also had resources. (It was much better before the update change but still nice)
If you need a phone go to SafeLink wireless and Q Link wireless. When I was first starting out that's what I used it was a life saver.
If you live in Wisconsin (Dunn, Eau Claire, Chippewa falls and Barron county, and likely more) you can call your counties human service department and ask them about a program called CCS. There are many more programs but this one helps you if you are struggling in like and need help. Like for me I got jobs, made money, got an apartment, learned to be independent, got my driver's license, got my GED. It completely changed me, I'm a hole new person after it. They can help you with paperwork, your benefits, and when I need to stop working I was able to get set up with a county lawyer who helped me get on SSI (and took care of some past issues). They can even help with mental health. I did horse therapy, and many more places that helped so much to relax and develop skills (like a ranch with animals and we'd cook a lot). They even provided someone who prescribed me medication a nurse and therapy sessions at the human service department. I got connected with peer support. Just ask your human service department.
Some museums(I only know of Minnesota doing this) give you a discount (you only pay $3 per person instead of like $14) if you have proof of like EBT or any assistance. Just check their websites or call for information.
If you have a forward health insurance card or are on Medicaid and struggle with rides to appointments there is a medical transportation company called Veyo, previously called MTM. I am not sure if they service outside of Wisconsin. They aren't perfect but can definitely help. You call with your forward health ID number and you can schedule rides for appointments and get gas mileage reimbursement. You need to schedule two days or more in advance. The website is https://wi.ridewithveyo.com/
And the phone number is 1 866-907-1493
You can set up you're membership online.
If it's on the way and needed they can stop by your pharmacy after appointments as well.
Quick visual guide on what to include when writing alt text (Taken from this article by Veroniiiica):
[Image description: An infographic titled “Writing Alt Text” featuring a photo of a capybara. Parts of alt text are divided by color, including identify who, expression, description, colour, and interesting features. The finished description reads “A capybara looking relaxed in a hot spa. Yellow yuzu fruits are floating in the water, and one is balanced on the top of the capybara’s head.” End of image description.]
If you use a screen reader and there's anything else you like image descriptions to have that isn't detailed here, feel free to add! I will rb additions :) I also implore you to check out the original article for more info!
sick of people watering down mental illnesses online.
people who are severely mentally unwell are likely to do things that are unhealthy, irrational and sometimes just completely fucked up. that is the reality of severe mental illness, especially if left untreated.
we may do things that are harmful or damaging to others, this doesn’t make us dangerous or evil, this makes us ill. if you cannot handle the fact that fucked up people might do fucked up things as a result of their severely shattered mental state, then do not surround yourself with people who are mentally ill. don’t make your inability to accept the severity of my mental state into my fucking problem.
It okay if you want to get rid of your autism.
Lot of people on internet say that autism great and that they like it. That okay too, everyone allowed own opinion on self.
But not make you bad person if you don’t like it.
It hard having meltdowns and sensory overload. Hard to need others to care for self.
You allowed to dislike your autism.
there is no positive connotation to the word 'narcissist' in any context. if i'm talking about what psychs identify in me as 'narcissistic traits' I use the word because the behavior i'm describing is objectively harmful to myself and others. it's very odd to see people attempt to spin it into something positive as a form of anti-ableism.