A couple of months ago I went to a demonstration for the first time since the pandemic started. This demo (by transzorgnu) was organised as the start of a movement to fight against the state of transgender healthcare in the Netherlands. Throughout the many speeches and social media content surrounding the demonstration, I was constantly struck… More Healthcare, ableism and transphobia
A video version of this blog can be found at the bottom of the post for those who find video easier! I love the Olympics and I love the Paralympics. As an ex-athlete I love watching people compete at the highest possible level and achieve their dreams and goals. Every athlete puts so much hard… More The Paralympics with a chronic illness
I started using a wheelchair around about a year ago. Since then, I haven’t really been able to use it all that much, other than for trips to the supermarket and walks in the nearby area. But recently, thanks to living in the EU and being fully vaccinated, I was able to take myself and… More My first time travelling with a wheelchair
I recently decided to start using a wheelchair. This is a really big thing for me. For the past several years I have been running away from the fact that a wheelchair would be useful, but thinking about it constantly. In fact, I’m sure my close friends are quite bored with being asked if they… More The journey to becoming a wheelchair user
Humans live in communities. We live in villages, towns and cities, and we see our family, friends and colleagues regularly. Humans live together. Yet despite this, there is a drive for us to be independent, to provide for ourselves financially and look after ourselves by ourselves. We are considered to have made it if we are… More The myth of independence: is it harmful?
Did you know that July is Disability Pride month? To be honest with you, I didn’t know for a long time. In fact, I only discovered it last year, and really only engaged with it this year. But what is Disability Pride? And what is there to be proud about when you are disabled? These… More Disability Pride: an introduction
Does my chronic illness make a me a burden in my relationship? In a recent New York Times advice article, a reader sent in the question, “Is it okay to dump him because he has a medical condition?” And the answer given was that yes, this is okay. In fact, they said, if you are… More Chronically ill people are not a burden in a relationship