things to know before becoming disabled

the time flows differently for the disabled body mind

the fatigue is worse than the pain

accessible places aren’t really accessible

the jokes you make to cope make non-disabled people uncomfortable, but do it anyway

reading our history and praxis will build you up and ruin you

there are a lot more of us than you think

resting is not selfish; the world is greedy for your time and labor

the distorted sense of self hurts worse than the physical pain sometimes

you don’t have to answer their questions

you will grow and learn, and develop skills non-disabled people don’t even consider

you can decorate your disability gear (my cane and walker are both purple)

lean on your community, doing things alone sucks

you can have both chronic fatigue and insomnia, so have fun with that

there are always kind people who will help you

it’s easy to get out of doing dishes (sorry, roommates)

track your symptoms

record the good and the bad parts of life in a journal or voice memos

disabled people support other disabled people, period

you will need to get over your internal ageism; it’ll help you come to terms with your disabled body mind

ergonomic seat cushions are the best (even non-disabled people should try them)

they won’t move for you, so you have to make space yourself

you are not a burden, you are worth the world, even if you don’t feel like it

you are worthy of love, you are loved

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