I have learned, almost unconsciously, that I have to fight almost constantly for people to listen to what I have to say or take my ideas seriously. Confident young men are assumed to know what they are talking about until proven otherwise, but confident young women are assumed to not know what we are talking about until we prove ourselves.
Author: Liz Kessler
Five unhelpful things I wish people would stop saying to me
Our society is not very good at listening to neurodivergent folks. When we're not being told we are lazy, the things we ask for are routinely ignored. Sometimes the way that this happens is very subtle, and even the people who say they value accessibility sometimes say hurtful things when they are not paying attention. … Continue reading Five unhelpful things I wish people would stop saying to me
Reflections on public pain and collective rage at the end of 2016
I've cried in public more times than I can count. I've cried openly on the bus after saying goodbye to a loved one, I've cried at parties, and I've cried at work. Yesterday I sat in a coffee shop and told a trusted friend about a bunch of shit that I've been going through lately, … Continue reading Reflections on public pain and collective rage at the end of 2016
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau needs to stop talking about mental health
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's approach to mental health is completely individualist, over-simplistic and useless for most of us who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. It's also not new.
If a cyclist yells at a driver, it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to die.
On Friday morning, I biked to work. This summer I have cycled about two or three times a week. It's about 15 minutes to bike from my house, most of it down a six-lane major street that is busy by Winnipeg standards but would seem relatively calm to anyone from Vancouver, Ottawa or Toronto. Friday … Continue reading If a cyclist yells at a driver, it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to die.
Calling Trump “crazy” is lazy, ableist and counterproductive
This is going to sound repetitive for anyone who read my last blog post, but throwing around language about mental illness like this, without evidence, is not okay. Not ever. And when it's about someone like Donald Trump, it carries even more power.
Your pro gun control rhetoric is dangerous for people like me
Mental illness has become a scapegoat for systemic violence, and I'm scared for my friends.
A free resource on disability & the bible
The Student Christian Movement of Canada, a radical left-wing, political and inclusive organization of young christians, wants to think through disability, and wants to encourage Christians to do so too. So when they asked if I would help them create a resource on disability and the bible, I was only too happy to do so. … Continue reading A free resource on disability & the bible
No, hating “big pharma” is not ableist
"Big pharma", the corporations that control the world's prescription drugs, consistently take advantage of sick people for profit. Contrary to the headlines I've seen lately, hating that is not ableist. What is ableist is judging people for doing the best they can with the options that are presented to them. The problem with big pharma is … Continue reading No, hating “big pharma” is not ableist
DIY, self love, and re-defining legitimate knowledge
That last couple of years I have been trying to eliminate chemicals from my life. I started by using only vinegar and baking soda to clean my house. Then I started washing my hair with vinegar, dyeing it with lemon juice, and moisturizing it with coconut oil. Then I stumbled on a blog post about … Continue reading DIY, self love, and re-defining legitimate knowledge
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