Progress not perfection

Baby photos :)

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Katara from ATLA

16/06/2026 Jean-Luc Picard @SpaceDadSupport Incoming Transmission…

Under normal circumstances, if a given industry finds itself unable to sell products to a given market demographic, we’d say it’s that industry’s fault for failing to offer products that that demographic is interested in buying.

It only makes sense to blame the target demographic itself is if we’re assuming that the established industries have some intrinsic right to that demographic’s disposable income that’s being denied - which is clearly nonsense.

Like, I have worked very hard to put out real, genuine quality stuff. The best that I can make while offering it at a reasonable price, because a business transaction should be fair; you get a good product, the business makes some profit, everyone walks away happy. I am not even that old, and I have already seen a significant decline in the quality, craftsmanship, materials and labor sources in almost all of my purchases compares to the items that my family bought when I was growing up- and I’m talking the expensive stuff, too! We have bought two Dysons from Costco in the last two years (returned both, thank god for Costco’s return policy!) and neither one functioned as well as Megan’s old parent’s Dyson that was made in the 80′s. My grandmother has an old metal sewing machine that has been kicking longer than I have but I’ve been through about four sewing machines in my lifetime, each one managed to last twoish years. And these are the things off the top of my head, and it goes all the way down. Like how they started manufacturing secretly-smaller containers for things with the bubble on the bottom so you don’t notice there’s less product inside, or how Charmin made their rolls ‘shorter’ than they used to be but they are still technically the same number of ‘sheets’- I mean, I know I sound a little crazy, but if you’re Charmin and you reduce the amount of paper material per-roll by even a single penny, even a fraction of a penny, it would add up to much bigger profits; and a bigger expense passed on to the consumer, who won’t notice that the rolls are an inch shorter (except me because I’m weird that way)

also me: drags him through 300 pages of unrelenting pain and betrayal

Do NOT use mouthwash in place of brushing!!

They are two COMPLETEY DIFFERENT THINGS and you are going to RUIN your teeth with that advice!

If it's too hard to do regular brushing, you're better off doing a dry swipe of a brush instead. Keep that toothbrush beside your bed, dry swipe it over your teeth, go to sleep, rinse it off in the morning instead.

Or rub a cloth over your teeth. Whatever.

You need the FRICTION.

Better than nothing is scratching your teeth with your fingernail, or rubbing a sock over your teeth.

Mouthwash DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY OF THE BENEFITS of brushing!!

Corporate lawsuits have been straight-up lost because of this, and so have teeth!!

Hi, trying to get an aid (or other types of support) when you don't have parents on your side can be really difficult so I feel for you. I'll do my best to give an answer based on my experience and what I know but keep an eye on the comments and reblogs; there's a bunch of wonderfully knowledgeable people in the community so I'm sure someone will have more pointers for you.

As for my thoughts and advice, please keep in mind that I'm a 30-something person who became disabled later in life, I'm likely living in a different country, and I haven't had to work around parents getting in the way. I've read posts on Tumblr from people in similar positions to yours but that's about all I know of it. So I can empathize, but I don't really know what's it's like to be in your shoes...

My first thought was to wonder how old you are and whether you do actually need them involved? Without knowing more about you and where you are, I can't really say what your other options are, but is there any way you can talk to your doctor about this without your parents? Do you have access to a nurse, guidance counselor, teacher, or mentor? Or some other family member(s)? I hope this doesn't come across as invalidating or not believing you; I just want to offer suggestions in case something slipped by without you realizing it was an option.

If there's no way around your parents, my suggestion would be to try presenting a well-reasoned, well-researched case for why you need a mobility aid and how it would help. If your parents are at all reasonable, could you do some reading and thinking, gather a bunch of info, and have a chat with them? Show them articles, videos, whatever you can find that they would trust?

If this is something that might work, I suggest starting a symptom/pain journal; write down the pain and anything else going on every day for a couple weeks. Having the impact of your symptoms laid out clearly will help show the seriousness of it all. (This doesn't need to be on paper; a digital note or using an app is also fine.)

Then do some reading when you're in the right head-space for it. Find some books, do a google search, or find the chronic illness and disability #s on here. Take note of the details that are similar to your situation. What do doctors, physiotherapists, and researchers recommend for people with your symptoms? What have other people who live with your symptoms found helpful? Etc. The more info you have, the easier it will be to talk about it and advocate for yourself.

My final thought for you is to ask yourself if there's something other than an aid that could be helpful? Is there a type of pain relief that you know works for you or could you try some more pain relief options? Can you make sure to keep an eye out for seating at these events? Are you able to bring a folding chair or can a friend bring one for you? There's maybe a few other things you could try but I'm not sure specifically what pain you experience or what else you're dealing with, but sometimes thinking outside the box is almost as good as an aid.