OK, so we’ve had the “what assistive devices I use” thread. Now it’s time for… In My Dreams: Assistive Devices I WANT! Stealing from meloukhia a little, I’d like a self-powered mobile bed-platform-thingo that contains all of my needs at easy reach: my laptop and all peripherals, assortment of pillows, my teetering bookpile, meds, water bottle, glasses ...

Recommended Reading for November 25, 2009

The first time I held my cane, I cried. It wasn’t a feeling I expected, to be honest. I’d been fired the week before from a job I enjoyed, for telling my employer I was in too much pain to stand for the entire shift, but things were coming out on my side. ...

…and I’m going to tell you why. Because the policing of women’s bodies, whether you are being cheeky, or saying it to a plastic doll, is not cool. It’s hurtful and not useful, and has no place in feminist discourse. Can we move past that point? Huh? That’s a pretty Kindy thing, IMNSFHO. ‘Kay. Moving on. *The rest of ...

I didn’t think I’d need to do this but it has come up: This post is not a place to discuss the merits of assisted suicide. Many disabled people, including me, find it really unsettling. In the context of able-bodied and neurotypical people telling us our lives aren’t worth living it is especially ...

Recommended Reading for November 24, 2009

Ever get really bad questions from clueless abled people? Here are some answers that might come in use. Q: What’s wrong with you? A: The fact that I hang around with ableists like you. Q: What’s your disability? A: My business. Q: You’re looking so much better, aren’t you? A: I like to think I’m becoming a better person all the ...

How I came to path of getting a service dog* was a long, strange journey. My experiences are my own and by no means represent the entire service dog community. My country and state laws are most likely different from some readers as well, so I’m only writing from my own perspective.s

Recommended Reading for Monday, November 23, 2009

So everyone can get to know our contributors a bit better, we’ve decided to run a series called “Meet a Contributor”. Each Contributor will be interviewed by the others in turn. Hi! I’m abby jean. I live in sunny Southern California and am an attorney in the public interest field, which means I work primarily on ...