My Alinker Arrived!

My Alinker Arrived!

I got an Alinker and joined a study on it and it’s amazing. It’s a walking bike, a different type of mobility aid. It’s like a walker but you’re supported on a seat the whole time. You’re essentially walking like you used to. If you go to my A Splendid Mess page on Facebook, you …

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So I Did A Thing…Disability & All

So I Did A Thing…Disability & All

I’m still learning how to navigate life with a disability. I haven’t taught CPR or first aid in years and I used to love it. Turns out I was really good at it, too. I loved seeing things click for students in class and watching them leave confident that if they witnessed an emergency, they …

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Take Your Gaslighting Elsewhere

Take Your Gaslighting Elsewhere

The past couple years, I started to develop an immunity to gaslighting. Today, I realized it’s great that I’m nearly impervious now to gaslighting but what’s even better? I don’t have to put myself in situations to experience gaslighting at all! Common refrains I heard for many years included such hits as, “I never said/did …

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Unpopular Opinion: Neurodivergence Doesn’t Entitle You To Physically Accessible Spaces

Unpopular Opinion: Neurodivergence Doesn’t Entitle You To Physically Accessible Spaces

I was following someone on social media for their art. They also have autism and do a lot of advocacy, which I think is great. I unfollowed after a discussion about accessible spaces because it enraged me. I didn’t announce it, I just left. That’s what grownups do. Medical and mental health professionals have suggested …

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Chronic Illness: It’s Your Entire Identity Now

Chronic Illness: It’s Your Entire Identity Now

I’m the MS sufferer who will give it to you straight, absent the bullshit and toxic positivity. Today’s topic is Identity. The MINUTE you develop a chronic illness or a visible disability, that’s it for you. No matter what you’ve accomplished, or who you are, it doesn’t matter anymore. Now you’re a checked box. Your …

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A Splendid Update: Annual Neurologist Visit

A Splendid Update: Annual Neurologist Visit

Thankfully, the neurologist had nothing but good news to share. My appointment was in late September, so I’m pretty behind! My slow season for business usually starts in September, but it’s the end of November and I’m still going. It’s awesome but there’s definitely some things piling up as a result. I just can’t do …

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Hiking Bow River Trail

Hiking Bow River Trail

The nice thing about hiking this trail in Canmore (Alberta) is the options. AllTrails marked this trail as easy, which is true but you have a couple of options that make it moderately challenging with disability. I did it with a cane and a great deal of the trail is accessible to ‘wheelies.’ I have …

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So You Woke Up Disabled: Get You A Dicer!

So You Woke Up Disabled: Get You A Dicer!

This dicer chopper thing is the greatest thing ever. Once again, a splendid Amazon find: https://a.co/d/8FemQCd Did you know that most infomercial gadgets are for disabled folks? True story. So if you ever thought, “Come on asssssss iffffff we need a doohickey to do that. How stupid are some people?…” Not stupid, physically limited. I …

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So You Woke Up Disabled: Get You A Mandolin!

So You Woke Up Disabled: Get You A Mandolin!

I resisted having a mandolin in my kitchen because I’ve seen some terrible injuries caused by them. Granted, they’re caused when someone isn’t paying attention or is using the mandolin unsafely but the potential for slicing off a chunk of finger is definitely there. But there are days where I need to be able to …

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So You Woke Up Disabled: Get Yourself A Veggie Stabber!

So You Woke Up Disabled: Get Yourself A Veggie Stabber!

In today’s instalment of So You Woke Up Disabled, something to help you work safer in the kitchen. I call it the Wolverine or the Veggie Stabber. I guess it’s real name is food slice assistant. TL;WR: Something that helps cut and slice things safely if you have hand weakness or poor motor control. Also …

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