The setting that prevents your work being used to train AI models is turned off by default! I had no idea about this until now! Artists, go to your settings, click “visibility”, and turn on this setting! Protect your work!

I was able to start T by having a video call with a doctor at FOLX (in some states you need an in person visit, but not mine luckily), and discussing why I wanted to start HRT, what dose I wanted, what kind of application (gel or injection), and any questions or concerns I had. The call was only around 10 minutes long and I started T that same month, it gets delivered to my door every three months (you can choose to have it delivered to a pharmacy as well).

I'm on gel because I don't do needles, I started on 20mg (the lowest dose option), then 40mg last year, and I just started 60mg this year. The first changes I noticed on 20mg was increased body hair, starting where I applied the gel directly, which was my thighs, but moved to other places as well, facial hair was really patchy until my increase to 40mg, then it started filling out more.

Second change I noticed, was bottom growth, it was uncomfortable at first, but a change I was super excited for. This is also when the puberty really hit, and I was horny like 24/7 (and still have an increased sex drive), also I was really hungry all the time, I started taking snacks with me everywhere.

Next was voice cracks, so many voice cracks. This was also kind of uncomfortable, it felt like I had something in my throat all the time, but it was just me adjusting to my vocal cords thickening. It's all cool now and the minor discomfort was totally worth it obviously, I don't hate my voice anymore.

Finally, I didn't really notice this change honestly, not until my sister pointed it out at least. Body fat redistribution is a weird and real thing, my silhouette is not the same as it used to be, but this is not a permanent change (unlike most of the other things I've mentioned here) so you have to stay on T to keep this change.

Disclaimer: Though I have been using a cane for 6 years, I am not a doctor, nor am I by any means an expert. This guide is true to my experience, but there are as many ways to use a cane as there are cane users!

This guide will not include: White canes for blindness, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs as I have no personal experience with these.

This is meant to be a general guide to get you started and avoid some common mishaps/misconceptions, but you absolutely should continue to do your own research outside of this guide!

The biggest recurring problem I've seen is using the cane on the wrong side. The cane goes on the opposite side of the pain! If your character has even-sided pain or needs it for balance/weakness, then use the cane in the non-dominant hand to keep the dominant hand free. Some cane users also switch sides to give their arm a rest!

A cane takes about 20% of your weight off the opposite leg. It should fit within your natural gait and become something of an extension of your body. If you need more weight off than 20%, then crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair is needed.

Putting more pressure on the cane, using it on the wrong side, or having it at the wrong height will make it less effective, and can cause long term damage to your body from improper pressure and posture. (Hugh Laurie genuinely hurt his body from years of using a cane wrong on House!)

(an animated GIF of a cane matching the natural walking gait. It turns red when pressure is placed on it.)

When going up and down stairs, there is an ideal standard: You want to use the handrail and the cane at the same time, or prioritize the handrail if it's only on one side. When going up stairs you lead with your good leg and follow with the cane and hurt leg together. When going down stairs you lead with the cane, then the good leg, and THEN the leg that needs help.

Realistically though, many people don't move out of the way for cane users to access the railing, many stairs don't have railings, and many are wet, rusty, or generally not ideal to grip.

In these cases, if you have a friend nearby, holding on to them is a good idea. Or, take it one step at a time carefully if you're alone.

Now we come to a very common mistake I see... Using fashion canes for medical use!

(These are 4 broad shapes, but there is INCREDIBLE variation in cane handles. Research heavily what will be best for your character's specific needs!)

The handle is the contact point for all the weight you're putting on your cane, and that pressure is being put onto your hand, wrist, and shoulder. So the shape is very important for long term use!

Knob handles (and very decorative handles) are not used for medical use for this reason. It adds extra stress to the body and can damage your hand to put constant pressure onto these painful shapes.

The weight of a cane is also incredibly important, as a heavier cane will cause wear on your body much faster. When you're using it all day, it gets heavy fast! If your character struggles with weakness, then they won't want a heavy cane if they can help it!

This is also part of why sword canes aren't usually very viable for medical use (along with them usually being knob handles) is that swords are extra weight!

However, a small knife or perhaps a retractable blade hidden within the base might be viable even for weak characters.

Bases have a lot of variability as well, and the modern standard is generally adjustable bases. Adjustable canes are very handy if your character regularly changes shoe height, for instance (gotta keep the height at your hip!)

Canes help on most terrain with their standard base and structure. But for some terrain, you might want a different base, or to forego the cane entirely! This article covers it pretty well.

Many cane users decorate their canes! Stickers are incredibly common, and painting canes is relatively common as well! You'll also see people replacing the standard wrist strap with a personalized one, or even adding a small charm to the ring the strap connects to. (nothing too large, or it gets annoying as the cane is swinging around everywhere)

(my canes, for reference)

If your character uses a cane full time, then they might also have multiple canes that look different aesthetically to match their outfits!

When it comes to practical things outside of the cane, you reasonably only have one hand available while it's being used. Many people will hook their cane onto their arm or let it dangle on the strap (if they have one) while using their cane arm, but it's often significantly less convenient than 2 hands. But, if you need 2 hands, then it's either setting the cane down or letting it hang!

For this reason, optimizing one handed use is ideal! Keeping bags/items on the side of your free hand helps keep your items accessible.

When sitting, the cane either leans against a wall or table, goes under the chair, or hooks onto the back of the chair. (It often falls when hanging off of a chair, in my experience)

When getting up, the user will either use their cane to help them balance/support as they stand, or get up and then grab their cane. This depends on what it's being used for (balance vs pain when walking, for instance!)

That's everything I can think of for now. Thank you for reading my long-but-absolutely-not-comprehensive list of things to keep in mind when writing or drawing a cane user!

Yeah, yeah, pride, self-expression, own your sexuality and kink shouldn’t be demonized, I get that, but you want to encourage minors (could be a 17-year-old) or teens of whatever to come, you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Cause I know children don’t care. But teenagers would if they’re trying to bring their parents.

They're allowed to come, of course - if they stay respectful, same as everyone else.

I *was* at one point a queer kid that went to pride. The few times I saw a pup mask or harness I felt this bubbly queer joy. I thought "I am not alone," I thought, "these people are so brave and cool," I thought, "wow we're all so diverse here and it's so beautiful I see people of every gender ethnicity sexuality age in every type of clothing with every queer symbol ever this is cool as FUCK."

Queer kids deserve to know and be proud of queer history, too. Those too young to know or understand will simply understand a "that's what they like to wear :)" and those old enough to know or understand will probably appreciate it or at worst not care at all.