#disability hack

A hands free umbrella holder! I have this one and it's a little uncomfortable to get used to / place well and I've never used it for it's ACTUAL purpose but it works. (This is the best picture I have of it. Edit: update in reblog)

There are many types and if you aren't in a rush to buy one like I was, I recommend one with a bottom strap like this bc the bottom of the pole would pole my ribs a little. You have to be careful when picking one with a base tho bc it needs to be able to actually hold the small pole, most are a bit bit and have too much movement.

But yeah, even if you aren't the one using the mobility aid, you could try this one!

Just be careful bc obviously the flag does get in your face a few times so just watch out. I don't like that we've always just been told to lay the flags over our laps in a wheelchair, put it over the front of a rotator or put it on out backs. I wanted to FLY it, like it's supposed to be.

I’ve struggled to keep my room clean for basically my whole life between executive function struggles, difficulty switching tasks to put things away as they pile up, not having the energy, and more recently my pain being worse to the point where I can’t clean.

So for me it’s usually clean clothes all over the floor, water glasses on my nightstand, and needing to take out the garbage. This idea I had is just for clothes though since everything I own is pretty much on my floor at any given time because I don’t have the spoons to put it away as I use it and bending over multiple times and hanging things up makes my chronic pain worse.

So anyway what I’m going to do is get two large laundry baskets to put in my closet and I’ll have one for dirty clothes and one for clean ones, and I can dump it out on my bed when I need to see what’s in there but that way I at least don’t have it all over my floor and it’s put away without having to waste a ton of energy and hurt myself.

subtitle: as a person with autism, ADHD, or similar executive function struggles.

For my first guide, in the spirit of spring cleaning, I’d like to offer a streamlined way to sort clothes into 2 piles for purging: keep it or toss it. 

I have struggled with knowing which clothes I want and which I want to get rid of. This leads to a big pileup of clothes that I don’t want or need anymore, but I have trouble parsing which ones are keepable and which aren’t if I don’t have a clear thinking process in it. These questions help me get my head in the game. 

If you're in a similar predicament with a closet overflowing w/ clothes that you don't actually wear, give this a try, and let me know if it helped you.

Here’s how it works: 

Make sure you dedicate enough time to this exercise, because it might be hard to start again once you take a break.

There will be 2 piles of clothes. One will be keep, and one toss. (You can also just leave your ‘keep’ clothes hanging up, if you want to. Will probably save a lot of mess, but won’t be so visually clear/divisive). 

Based on the prompts below, you’ll sort the clothes into the 2 piles. Of course, it’s always ok to re-sort clothes or realize ‘you know what, maybe I do want to keep this’ regardless of the guide. This is just a simple “get you started” type of deal.

And when you're done, consider donating your clothes to your local Goodwill or homeless shelter. You can de-clutter and make a good change in the world simultaneously.

Here we go!

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Have you worn it in the last year? > If no, TOSS IT.

Do you feel ugly in this article of clothing? > If yes, TOSS IT. 

Do you feel uncomfortable in this article of clothing due to sensory reasons? > If yes, TOSS IT.

Did you buy this, but never wear it? Does it still have the tag on it? > If yes, TOSS IT.

Do you associate this piece of clothing will bad memories, and thus aren't getting any use out of it? > If yes, TOSS IT.

Do you only still own this because it's associated with good memories, but you don't wear it/like it? > If yes, TOSS IT.

Does this item fit you? > If no, TOSS IT.

Does it have large stains, visible holes, or other damage? > If yes, TOSS IT.

Has your personal style changed? If it has, does this item still fit into your style? > If no, TOSS IT.

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Those are our tosses; how do we know if we really want to keep it?

Once you've ran through these options in your mind, consider those pieces who have not yet met the 'toss it' criteria. These may be definitive items that you're set on keeping, or they may be a gray area, where you're not sure if you want them gone or not.

Tips for determining if you really want to keep them, or are just delaying the inevitable:

1. try them on. Are you comfortable? Do you feel confident wearing this? Does it fit you properly, with no excessive cutting or squeezing? Do you feel the need to suck your stomach in while wearing this?

2. look back on times you wore this item. What did you pair it with? Were you confident wearing this, or did you feel insecure for one reason or another? How did you feel wearing this?

3. ignore the sunken cost fallacy. If this an expensive item, don't consider its monetary value in the elimination process--if you haven't worn it, chances are you won't again. Resell it, if you want to earn some money back from an expensive purchase. Otherwise, donate it.

4. consider the opportunities you will have to wear this item. Is it a daring shirt perfect for a party? Is it formalwear? If you can think of times it would be appropriate to wear, perfect. If you can't, reevaluate keeping it. (for example, if you previously worked as a clown but don't anymore, don't keep your clown suit for shits and giggles).

(Check bottom of tldr solution)

My POTS doctor along with encouraging me to eat more salt and drink electrolyte heavy drinks wants me to stay away from sugar because it can worsen POTS symptoms. Fine.

Accept not really because most electrolyte drinks/powders have some kind of sweetener, which means if it’s not sugar it’s usually stevia or the like, which in turn makes me nauseous and makes it harder for me to eat and drink, which I need to do to manage my POTS symptoms!

Now some might say I should just pick the lesser of two evils or find a better more expensive drink/powder that meets both requirements. Sadly, I’m broke and Gatorade zero powder is kinda the best bang for your buck. But I have found some alternate solutions.

In the evening instead of Gatorade I have a V8 (which has better sodium and potassium anyway) and in the morning I add extra salt to my Gatorade. This not only bumps up my last intake, but balances and disguises the sweeteners unwelcome taste.

My ratio is:

24 oz of water

1 Gatorade zero packet

A thin layer to completely cover the cap of my Trader Joe’s salt grinder (or approximately a little less than a 1/4 tsp)

Here we will focus on accessible feminine clothing items.

Let's start with bras. It’s no secret that many spoonies really struggle with bras. Many even give up bras as they find that they aren’t worth the hassle. So here are some alternate options that help with getting them on and/or comfort.

Front fastening bras:

Front fastening bras are much easier to get on and fasten for most. These are especially good for people with limited arm motion range. I have seen them use the traditional hook fastening as well as instead using a zipper.

Comfort bras:

The name says it all really. There are different types of comfort bras to suit your needs. Remember that you can buy a lot of different styles and designs that can look cute and/or sexy. A comfortable bra does not equal an ugly bra.

Wide shoulder straps disperse the weight of your breasts over a larger area, reducing pain. Wider straps also prevent the strap from digging into the skin.

No underwire. Underwires can be painful so it would suit may spoonies to avoid them. Instead look for alternatives. Without an underwire, the area under the breasts will be larger in order to give you support. Without the wire, it often looks like a band that goes all the way around your ribs. Thicker bands usually provide more support without compromising comfort (although this isn’t always the case 100%)

No fastening at all. Many comfort bras stay in place with the use of straps and elastic rather than wires and fastenings. These can take many forms but a simple and comfortable example looks similar to a tank top (but one that doesn’t cover your belly).

Padding or no padding? Either is an option!

Bralettes:

Bralettes are basically bras without any metal (and often padding too). They are considered very comfortable but not very supportive for people who really need it. They’re getting quite popular now and can have much more detail than regular bras which I know some spoonies would like. They are somewhat considered socially acceptable to be visible or even used as a loungewear top which is good for spoonies who struggle with heat. Thanks to  bouquetchildotn for reminding me of this. I was actually wearing just a bralette as I wrote this and thought that would remind me to include it :’)

Skirts: Skirts are good for anyone who struggles to reach their lower legs/feet. They are easier to place your feet into than trousers, and when you go to the toilet you can lift a skirt which saves you reaching for your ankles.

Dresses, jumpsuits, and playsuits: These things are great for many of us. They are a whole outfit in one. There are all sorts of types and fits. A loose/flowy fit is super easy to put on and doesn’t need to have any tight or constricting areas. You can have a thin fabric that keeps you super cool in the summer, and you can get thicker options for when the weather is cold.

Do you think I’ve missed something? Let me know!