We're often told that "we treat symptoms, and don't like to label people", however I absolutely disagree with this sentiment. It's nonsensical, if there are apparent and physical symptoms of a condition or comorbid conditions and you are purposefully undiagnosed because they don't like to 'label' you, this is so inherently ableist, and I think because you hear this rhetoric so frequently, especially in paediatric care, that it's important to unpick and discuss what's actually at play when they say this, and how it can feed into, and reinforce a patient's internalised ableism.
Author: Bud to Bloom
Why hello you beautiful person you! Welcome to my blog, a personal space in which you are invited to experience my mental health journey, and read themed posts about topics such as living with chronic illness, mental health, and eating disorder recovery.
Vaccinated – finally a prick I’m happy to have met
Pulling up in the carpark of our local day hospital, I felt a surge of excitement along with an overwhelming sense of bittersweet relief. Like many disabled people, I had to fight for my vaccine as I wasn’t considered as vulnerable enough to receive a live saving jab, but vulnerable enough to be advised to shield indoors, like I had been for over an entire year.
Mental Health Relapses – A Disabled Experience
Hello lovelies, I just want to begin by thanking those of you who expressed their support for my recent blog post regarding self-nurture and feeding my inner child. If you are following my Instagram account, or [...]
The Self-Nurture I Never Thought I Needed
feel there has been so much going on all at once but nothing particularly discernible - perhaps this is a result of the last leg of lockdown 3.0. The past few months have been difficult for almost everyone I know, especially in regards to mental wellbeing; which of course, given we've been isolated from the outside world (no matter how necessary) is entirely understandable.
DISABILITY AND SEXUALITY – PART 2
My relationship with my sexuality has always been disorganized, even before I became legitimately disabled by my conditions. I grew up feeling like I needed to fit into a mold I wasn't shaped for, and a body I didn't even understand was objectified by many people around me from a young age.
Valentine Gifts for Spoonies
Valentine's day is approaching, and whether you choose to celebrate it or not - either that be with a partner, or put a platonic twist on it and have a fun filled day to celebrate your love for your best friend, it's always nice to ensure you have put thought and effort into the way you choose to share your love and affection. I like to think I'm a good gift giver, and I absolutely love celebratory holidays, therefore I thought it wise to share some suggestions I have for a fellow spoonie in your life, with an emphasis on independent businesses.
Ways I Make My Self Care Accessible
Hello lovelies! I hope you're all doing as well as can be expected - especially those out there who're frontline workers or folx in lockdown. It can be incredibly stressful, and I've began go feel the [...]
So your friend’s disabled…
I am aware that the vast majority of people who have been actively engaging with my content, are involved in the chronic illness/disabled community - and like every single disabled/less abled person I've had the pleasure of talking with, I have experienced difficulties navigating interabled friendships and relationships in the past, purely because of the lack of understanding, and societal ableism which resides in those who haven't had personal experience with disability prior to the friendship.
How to support creators
As I get back on my feet (or wheels so to speak), I feel it to be even more pressing to share ways to support creators -in particular disabled creators; as the social media algorithms appear to be either inadvertently or intentionally targeting the community.
Accessing my content – changes in 2021
[Image description: pale pink background with black bold heading reading 'change', beneath it in a handwriting font reads 'isn't always a bad thing'. There is a black illustration of a wildflower on the left hand side.] [...]
