#disabilityinclusion

You can listen to the show on Spotify here or wherever you get your podcasts! I would love to know what you think. A new episode will be out this Sunday!

Long Cane Life 🦯 . . . As many of you know since my beloved guide dog @unityguidedog retired I’ve had to resort back to using the long cane until I’m partnered with my new guide dog. I’ll be entirely honest with you, I’ve never really been a lover of the cane. I’m a guide dog person through and through. I had a very turbulent start using it in my early years. People didn’t think I was sight impaired to need one. This was partly because my sight loss was misdiagnosed when I was 2. So people isn’t realise the extent of how badly my vision was impacted. So when I was eventually introduced to it, I was really self conscious using it. I then had an accident at school when I was using it which involved falling down a flight of stairs during a fire drill which involved me going to hospital for a major adrenal collapse. So it’s fair to say my journey with my cane hasn’t been an easy one. But I’m trying to build up my skills and confidence. I’ve had counselling to deal with my past traumas and anxieties. I’m currently on the waiting list to receive more long cane training and I’m trying to use it where I can as much as possible. Although going back to using one after years with a guide dog during a pandemic is very hard. But I’m proud of my journey so far, my skills have improved and my mental attitude towards using it has totally changed. I now see it as my mobility and I see the merit of working on my skills now until I get my next guide dog. Sometimes in life you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Because in doing that that’s how we reap the rewards. . . . Photo Description: a photo of Emily wearing an orange print dress and tan wedged shoes. She is holding a gold long cane and standing in her garden. . . . #Disability #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityPride #DisabilityLife #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityBlogger #DisabilitySupport #DisabledFashion #DisabledLife #DisabledandProud #DisabledWomen #Blind #SightLoss #CottageCore #CottageCoreFashion #CottageCoreAsthetic #CottageCoreStyle #SummerStyles #OutfitofTheDay #InspiredByNature #SeasonalLiving #SeasonalFashion #OrangeDress #OrangeAsthetic (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSOvTUNqIu_/?utm_medium=tumblr

Reposted from @pacingpixie Repost - if you want to share, please use this version! Disabled people are nearly a quarter of the UK population. We are not an outlier or abberation. If you don't see us, it's because we aren't welcome. Reference: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/there-are-now-nearly-14-million-disabled-people-in_uk_5ac61b74e4b01f556d5658d4/ - ID: blue background with disability wheelchair symbol. On it there is the following steps arranged in a circle to illustrate a cycle: inaccessibility-disabled people unable to participate - disabled people not seen in public - disabled people seen as outlier/rarity- 'so we don't need to consider them'- inaccessibility' - #disability #disabledlife #disabledandproud #accessibilityforall #accessislove #thefutureisaccessible #accessibility #babewithamobilityaid #differentaidsfordifferentdays #spoonielife #chronicallyfabulous #inclusive #disabilityisdiversity #disabilityinclusion #inclusionrevolution #disablednotdead #wheelchairuser #wheelchairtravel #cripplepunk #accessibilitymatters #unchargeables #spooniecommunity #disabilityadvocate #disabilityjustice #disabilityrights #cripcamp #nothingaboutuswithoutus #invisibleillness #chronicillnessawareness #chronicallyill https://www.instagram.com/p/CMHN2m4gtqk/?igshid=1so70hw32qta8

Do you live with a disability? Or are you close to someone who does? . After all the research I did for KNIFE, I thought I knew a fair bit about mobility and accessibility issues. But when my father needed to use a walker and then a wheelchair, I learned so much more about the challenges that wheelchair and other mobility device users face on a regular basis. Sometimes I felt angry for my Dad’s sake, seeing how little thought is often given to the needs of people who can’t slip easily through narrow doorways or climb stairs. . Anyway, July is Disability Awareness Month, and I’ve got a post up at Go Teen Writers today about including disabled characters in our storytelling. So here’s a stack of books from my own library that feature protagonists with various kinds of disabilities. They’re all good, and many of them are personal favourites of mine. But we need a lot more! . . . #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion #disabilitypridemonth #disabledlivesmatter #loismcmasterbujold #thewarriorsapprentice #anneursu #therealboy #meganwhalenturner #thequeenofattolia #queensthief #francescoxstork #marcelointherealworld #elizabethewein #elizabethwein #thelionhunter #leighbardugo #sixofcrows #yalovin #yareads #ireadya #bookstagram #bookish #bookstack #bluebooks #bluebookstack #blueandcream https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwrpJjAV1X/?igshid=lv0jygyc7nzo

🔴Giving unsolicited medical advice is ableism🔴 Often, when disabled or chronically ill people disclose their disability, they are met with a chorus of "my aunt had that" and "have you tried this?" This isn't an okay response. With a lot of chronic illnesses in particular, there are myths surrounding treatments and cures. This isn't to say that there are no treatments, but there is not a universal treatment. Let's take yoga - for some people, yoga has helped to improve their flexibility and breathing, which has had a positive impact on their condition. For others, yoga has worsened their symptoms and caused flares or relapses. For some (like me), yoga is completely inaccessible and not an option. Suggesting treatments could put the person's health at risk, if this isn't safe for them and their body. It's also insulting - don't assume the person hasn't tried what is available to them (most of us have tried every accessible treatment under the sun). Many chronic illnesses and disabilities cannot be cured, and therefore your aunt most likely didn't have the same debilitating condition. If you're not that person's doctor, the safest option is to not offer any medical advice. It's rude, it's insulting and it can be dangerous. #Accessibility [ID: Text Reads " "Have you tried yoga?" Giving unsolicited medical advice is ableism We learn from our mistakes" #disability #disabilityrights #disabilityactivist #disabilityactivism #disabledandcute #ableism #wheelchair #disabilityinclusion #disabilitypride #disabilitylife #disabilityadvocate #wheelchairuser #chronicpain #fnd #chronicillness #fibromyalgia #crps #disabilitylife #ableismistrash #ableismexists #ipreview via @preview.app https://www.instagram.com/p/CKE8nvOjfrX/?igshid=2vep1woxx8r2

🔴 Sustainable Shopping & Fashion isn't always accessible 🔴 I do the majority of my shopping in Primark, Poundland & Amazon. I know these are not the most sustainable and ethical shops, but I can tell you that these shops make my challenges a lot easier. I can buy heat patches, medication, food etc all at a far cheaper price than ethical retailers. Weight fluctuations are typical with disabled people, and therefore cheaper clothing has to be bought more often. This is the same for many other disabled people, yet the media is consistently shaming individuals who do not use sustainable retailers. This shaming is outright ableism. Many disabled people live in poverty, or their benefits don't even cover the bare essentials. I know the response will often be that buying a reusable product will last and be cheaper in the long run, however these items often have a higher price to begin with, which isn't practical. Obviously, this is not all of the disabled population. But it's certainly something that needs highlighting! Top Tip! - Don't shame someone for not using the most sustainable option #Accessibility [ID: Text Reads "Sustainable Shopping & Fashion isn't always accessible. Businesses like Amazon & Primark offer fast delivery services of food and medical aids or cheap clothing to accommodate weight fluctuation and limited income. Some disabilities are invisible, your reactions are not"] #disability #disabilityrights #disabilityactivist #disabilityactivism #disabledandcute #ableism #wheelchair #disabilityinclusion #disabilitypride #disabilitylife #disabilityadvocate #wheelchairuser #chronicpain #fnd #chronicillness #fibromyalgia #crps #disabilitylife #ableismistrash #ableismexists #ipreview via @preview.app https://www.instagram.com/p/CJl8XVtj5gJ/?igshid=11qmhx1i98wxq