I want to get my degree and I am proud of my academic accomplishments and I enjoy doing work *when I am feeling able to*.
Crucial part of that last statement there right?
But the entire academic institution is so not catered for disabled people that it is impossible to get a degree in the manner in which would actually be comfortable for me.
I am sick at the moment (sicker than my usual chronically ill and disabled self), I have an oesophagus problem that's very awful and terrible and makes it very very hard to work, partially because I can't take all my fucking meds.
And I have to work. I received extensions for my assignments but only a week's extension (less than a week from a certain course the besties know about š). Which is not much and only helps marginally.
What I would actually need is to be let off the hook until I am actually better (and by better I just mean back to my regular chronically ill self). And then I'd do all the same/equivalent assignments no complaints. But the timetable would be different. And that's it.
But the university is not set up like that and it doesn't want to be. The only online university I could attend (because I receive a government scholarship that you get if you're poor enough in my country and they don't pay for private universities) is a very shit university. And I want to go to a good university, the university I am at. And so I sacrifice.
I sacrifice my health and risk burnout and risk getting covid again and I sacrifice having enough rest and seeing friends and family.
And it's just. It's a bad system.
And the really hilarious thing is, if I had more money I could afford to go to more specialists and get more tests and have my conditions treated better. I wouldn't have to rank healthcare professionals I need to see by urgency.
I just. It's a bad system. Paying for healthcare and education makes it a bad system. And it fucks over poor people. And I'm not even that poor. I'm so fucking privileged compared to a lot of people.
Anyway back to my stupid essay I go, nevermind my nausea and immense pain and exhaustion š
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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[Text of a tweet from @Cal__Montgomery, 20:18 21 Apr 21:
And in the latest round of "insurance - the gift that keeps on giving" I am now going to the emergency room due to a combination of the wounds the wheelchair that they won't replace caused getting infected and 2 lytes being critical.]
So, this is the latest round in the ongoing systemic medical fuckery Cal Montgomery has been dealing with. He's since been admitted again, and that was the last I saw.
I started following him because Mel Baggs thought so highly of him and his activism. (With lots of links and discussion of some of his older writings on hir classic WordPress blog.)
The same terrible systems are trying to kill Cal in the same basic ways that they did kill Mel. He has openly discussed this--and drawn the connections--himself.
Callousness, incompetence, and obstructions to much-needed services keep leading to totally avoidable crisis situations. Whereupon he also keeps getting his competence questioned over stubbornly and irrationally refusing to accept his "fate", and stop being the system's problem anymore.
The situation has looked critical enough for months now (at the very least š) that I am honestly always relieved to see his tweets.
Anyway, there is one way you can help, if you are able to. I am sure that Mel would also appreciate it, if sie were here. (And not blame you if you are struggling too hard yourself right now!)
(Cal has approved this fundraiser, but please do not contact him directly at tā¦ Andrew Dell'Antonio needs your support for Help Cal have a
If you don't have any money to spare, sharing this fundraiser would also be a great help.
I think we need to return to a protest and civil disobedience model if we want to advocate against institutional ableism.
Every accessibility feature you see today is there because disabled people of the past demonstrated and made themselves impossible to ignore. If youāve used a bus lift or a ramp or an asl interpreter, thatās down to the blood, sweat, and tears of disabled protesters. Nobody knows or cares as much about institutional ableism as ACTUAL DISABLED PEOPLE. And yet, we are so disempowered that we often let abled people decide our futures.
Itās time for real world activism. We need better SSDI benefits for more people. We need to stop ABA ātherapies,ā and everything Autisim Speaks stands for. We need to expand ADA. We need to establish a living minimum wage for disabled employees. We are entitled to exactly the same wages as our abled coworkers, if not more, given the disability tax. We need better teaching methodology. We need universal healthcare. We need to educate abled people about ableism and make them understand that change must happen in order to create a more just society. We need to normalize and celebrate neurodiversity. We need to make mobility aids free. We need to fund better hospices and nursing homes. We need better ADA enforcement. We need equal marriage rights. We deserve to be financially independent from our spouses. We need to challenge eugenics-based policies and rhetoric.
There is so much work to do. I know we have fewer resources and less energy and a lot of pain and stress, but this is the only way forward. If we share the work, if we do it as a relay, we can make changes. Itās happened before and it can happen again.
If you can, march or roll. If you can, make signs. If you can, write songs. If you can, talk to people. If you can, organize a sit in. Get creative.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Andrew wasn't cheerful naturally; his mania was drug-induced court-ordered.
-
IāM HOWLING the entire passage following this statement is KILLING me
in a parallel universe thereās a kitkat whoās going >:( about this court-induced medication bipolar disorder or whatever but in this universe i am crying literal tears of laughter
oh god there are things to say about court-mandated psychiatric treatment and the potential harmful effects and people not being believed about their medication not working (iāve lived my share of horror stories, itās pretty much inevitable when you are as Certified Batshit Crazy (TM) as i am) but i canāt take this seriously enough to form real thoughts
possibly this gets explored more deeply later or possibly this is the wildest narrative justification for having a character be batshit crazy without actually needing to be batshit crazy & I CANāT DECIDE WHICH IS FUNNIER??
IāM W E E P I N G
yes psychosis induced by medication is a real problem a genuine thing that can happen but eveRYTIHGN ABOUT THIS FRAMIN G THE. I CANāT FIND WORDS TO EXPLAIN WHY I FIND IT SO FUNNY ITāS JUST.Ā THE MENTAL IMAGE OF EVERY MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LIKEĀ āYES THESE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES ARE THE SIGN OF A WORKING TREATMENTā AND THE JUDGE BEING LIKE GOOD WEāVE REHABILITATED HIM AND THE THING IS I CANāT EVEN CALL IT IRREALISTIC BC 100% THATāS WHAT HAPPENS
iāve decided to stan andrew actually.Ā but very specifically manic andrew who, in my head, exists as someone who gets manic even when sober and inconveniences Everybody about it
Hey yāall, I know I never post here anymore, but I figured Iād use my blog to get the word out about this situation because itās absolutely horrible and needs national attention. Please note, the following post contains content referencing the abuse/lack of accommodation of an autistic college student, suspension, homelessness, police/security.
Quick summary: Iris Allen (pronouns he/him or they/them), a Black, autistic, homeless student at Hampshire College, was suspended from school following an āoutburstā that was the result of a lack of accommodation for his disability by school officials. He was forcibly removed from campus by security officers before his scheduled disciplinary hearing despite the College being well aware he is homeless and would have nowhere to go but the street in below-freezing temperatures. As of December 12th, Hampshire College has extended Irisā suspension to the remainder of the spring semester and police forcibly escorted him off campus without allowing him to access his dorm, take any belongings, or see his support animal. Iris is in a safe location, housed, and fed, but he is unable to obtain any of his belongings or his support animal from his dorm. (We have confirmed that the animal is able to be cared for by Irisā friends.)
I have done my best to compile as much information about this situation as possible. None of the information presented below in the timeline is my own, and I have not put any of my own thoughts or opinions into it. I trust that the story has been reported factually by Irisā friends/classmates and even if we do not have a full picture of the events leading to his suspension, the very act of kicking a homeless student out onto the streets in the snow is reprehensible and worth protesting.
RESOURCES:
Link to Iris's Advocate Fundraiser: https://www.youcaring.com/irisallen-1039410
Contact the following people (his conduct board members who made and supported the suspension decision) to voice your concerns about Iris's safety:
Pam Tinto: Ā [email protected]
Dre Domingue: [email protected]
Gloria Lopez: [email protected]
Greg Gnarleski: [email protected]
The following (below the cut) will detail the timeline of Iris Allenās suspension and forced removal from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Main sources include Cameron Prata (friend of Iris)ās public posts as well as private conversations between him and myself, Iris Allenās own posts and statements made in the #freeiris group, and other sources including official statements from Hampshire College.
Unknown dates: Iris Allen, a Black, autistic student, enrolls at Hampshire College. Prior to enrolling he is a homeless youth who suffered abuse and trauma, and no longer has contact with or support from any family. We know that Iris is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We do not currently know if he has any other diagnoses. When Iris approaches administrators for assistance, there is a lack of understanding for his situation. Iris is prescribed medications to help with his symptoms (unsure if by a physician outside of the college or by the college health service).
Iris goes to the health service to obtain medication and has a meltdown when someone asks him to turn down his music (autistic people often listen to music as a self-regulation/stimulation aid). Someone at the clinic claims they do not believe he has autism and makes him get re-diagnosed in order to access medications. According to Irisā friend this process took nearly 2 weeks.
Iris has multiple āoutburstsā (also classified as āpanic attacksā but more than likely autistic meltdowns) at school. This has been corroborated by friends and classmates. The specific details have not been clarified, but some of the media has said that these incidents included āthreatsā. At some point after these incidents, Irisā conduct board gives notice of a disciplinary hearing to be held on December 11th.
Friday, December 8: Video of Iris being forcibly removed from his dorm by security was uploaded to several sites.[cw: mention of rape]
Posted on FB by friend Cameron Prata: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1741567165855548
āIris Allen (pronoun: he), a black autistic music student from Hampshire College has been suspended (without a hearing from the school board) and forced into homelessness in the near subzero weather the night before a massive snowstorm in western MA. The decision to suspend Iris was made due to a recent infraction (an outburst triggered by his autism which has been greatly underwhelmed, neglected and condescended to by our schools administration). Before coming to Hampshire, Iris was a homeless resident of Boston and currently has nowhere to turn upon leaving campus. They have no family or parents, and are traumatized by the idea of being homeless in an unfamiliar town. In this video, he is being monitored by two campus police officers and is surrounded by a devastated circle of friends who are being forced to witness Irisās expulsion into homelessness yet again. Theyāve provided him with a cab to a nearby town where he will be forced to wait on the streets until his conduct hearing Monday afternoon where his fate as a Hampshire student has yet to be determined. Please share this video in the hope that we can seek justice for Iris and spread awareness of how Hampshire College is treating itās marginalized and defenseless student. Thank you for watching, and FREE IRIS! #hampshirecollege #irisallen #freeirisā
TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO (courtesy of FB user Lulu N Appa, in comments on the above referenced post):Ā
āIRIS: I had a great day today, I talked to all my friends; however, I had to go and talk to Greg He told me that I would be having a meeting about the upcoming hearing that would be happening on Monday. Unbeknownst to me, I was suspended.
So here we are (if you will Cam show) with everybody here, including the campus police kicking me out without a hearing. A black autistic female student whoās made strides to change her behavior. I come from one of 9, very poor and abused, and yes Iāve developed social habits that arenāt acceptable;however I do have autism and this school overlooked it. I got in trouble enough for them to kick me out, them fully knowing, like Greg and Pam Tinto, that I donāt have a place to live. And they are able to provide me with a taxi to go towards north hampton. But they are going to drop me off and that will be the end. Iām going to be homeless again, for the third time in my life. My young life. 24.
Thatās all I have to say.
I hope that when you guys all see this that Iām not dead. Because who knows? The school certainly doesnāt give a fuck. (sniffling in the background) I mean, if Cam doesnāt show all this footage, it will be an injustice. It will be an injustice to my death.
I love you all. I love you guys.
VOICE IN BACKGROUND: Thatās fucked upā¦
IRIS (addressing police): Iām not making any threats. But I will take this to the media! Because I have no choice. Iām not making any threats. Iām just saying that to the officer because she said I was threatening; however Iām not, I promise you. Because Iām the one whoās suffering
Take a note that sheās rolling her eyes.
POLICE OFFICER: I did not roll my eyes. I was looking over there.
IRIS: That was my interpretation of it. Thank you Cam (camera points to officers smiling)
(Unintelligible background conversation)
IRIS: Itās here? Well alrightā¦
FRIENDs: Well we love you (lots of crying, hugs, sniffling)
FRIEND: Itās gonna be ok, itās gonna be ok.
IRIS: Everybody lied to me. Greg did. I was supposed to have a meeting with Amy Parker. WITH AMY PARKER! No hearing. I just got thrown out. And there I was, thinking, āI havenāt even eaten dinnerā. Now I donāt even know where Iām sleeping tonight. In a homeless shelter where i could get raped? In a place where Iāve never been homeless before.
FRIEND: (Unintelligible talking)
IRIS: āLetās kick her out! Letās get her! Throw her in the field! Fuck her!ā
(Pacing sniffling, crying)
ANOTHER FRIEND: Iām so sorry!
IRIS: (Crying) They lied to me. They- they looked right in my face and lied to me! But all they can provide me with is a taxi, to set me on my way.
(sniffs loudly) It doesnāt matter because I donāt matter.
(Police walkie talkie chatter)
IRIS: I didnāt even get a chance to eat dinner.ā
Saturday, December 9: A YouCaring fundraiser was established for Iris to ensure he would be able to hire a third-party advocate for his hearing: https://www.youcaring.com/irisallen-1039410
Sunday, December 10th: A Facebook event was created for a rally at the time of Irisā hearing on the 11th at Hampshire College: https://www.facebook.com/events/1157729927695106/?ti=icl
A public Facebook group was also created for the exchange of information and ideas: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1522737504483336
Monday, December 11th: Irisā hearing takes place. Although the YouCaring fundraiser was successful in raising funding for a third-party advocate, one was not located in time for this hearing.
Cameron Prata posted that Iris was denied further access to campus at his hearing: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1744179032261028
āIRIS ALLEN WAS DENIED. STILL CONSIDERED A THREAT. WE NEED TO MOBILIZE ON THE HAMPSHIRE CAMPUS! #freeirisā
Friend of Iris, Rejjia Camphor posted details on the suspension: https://www.facebook.com/rejjia.camphor/posts/1703237176407064
āIris is still being suspended and seen as a threat to the Hampshire college community. They are not allowing him to stay on campus, he cannot access his room and he cannot participate in his ensemble performance.ā
On Monday evening Hampshire College sent a āCampus Threat Alertā email to students: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1744455625566702
While it did not mention Iris by name it was obvious that additional security and law enforcement were called to campus in response to the rally and Irisā hearing.
Transcript of email:
āCampus Threat Alert
Submitted by: Beth Ward
Because a threat was made to members of our campus community, you will see an increased presence of law enforcement on campus. Ā
We take these threats and the safety of everyone at Hampshire very seriously. We expect all members of our campus Ā to contribute to ensuring an environment that is safe from threats or harm to each other. Ā Individuals who represent a threat to the safety of the campus are not allowed on campus except under limited circumstances as detailed in our student handbook.
The safety of our campus is of top concern, and we are taking all appropriate efforts to ensure the welfare of students, faculty and staff. Ā If you have concerns about this alert or if you witness safety issues, please call campus police at 413-559-5424 or ext 5424 from a campus phone.
We understand that some students are upset about actions taken by the college in recent days, but the College makes all appropriate efforts to support and otherwise provide resources to students who need assistance. Ā The College has a process for handling these matters, which involves giving due consideration to all parties concerned. Ā No decisions are made without providing hearings and other protections built into the Collegeās policies and procedures.
Hampshire College has an obligation under federal law to protect the privacy of our students, which bars us from providing any additional details about student cases involving complaints, conduct hearings or resulting discipline. Ā At the same time, the College has a larger obligation to ensure the safety of our community and is acting on that obligation through this communication to campus and the precautions weāre taking across campus.
āThere is another meeting today for them.to discuss thier [sic] findings with me I strongly suggest we rally againā
During this meeting, Irisā conduct board extended his suspension to the spring semester. Iris was forced from campus by 3 police officers into an unmarked car to be taken away from campus: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745169648828633
āAt approximately 10:43 a.m, on December 12, 2017, after his hearing Iris Allen was escorted off campus, by police and taken to an unknown location as they would not tell Iris or his supporters where they were taking him.ā
Later that evening, Official update and statement from Cameron and Iris: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745439202135011
āAfter attending yet another conduct hearing at Hampshire College today, December 12th, Iris Allenās suspension was extended to the entire spring semester. As of now, Irisā safety is not secure, and he is indefinitely homeless. Despite being both non-threatening and compliant, three police officers were present inside the meeting. After having his suspension extended, he was physically and forcibly placed in an unmarked police vehicle by 3 police officers who refused to tell Iris or his supporters where he was being taken.
He was soon after dropped off at a local McDonaldās in Northhampton, MA (with no explanation as to why this location was chosen) by the three police officers. Though Iris has been able to find shelter for the night, he remains under extreme duress regarding his circumstance. We contacted him via video call and he has provided the following a statement on recent events.ā
Transcript of Irisā video statement: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.prata/posts/1745457768799821
āSo, I canāt be there with the rest of my peers today because I was forcibly removed from the campus and thrown into a car. They have no place to take me so they dropped me off at the local McDonaldās in Northhampton. I am still being harassed by the administration who will not tell me whatās going [on]. They put me in danger, because I have been homeless--I am dirty, I am hungry, and I donāt have food. I and I just--all I want is to go back to class. Please. I just want to go to my dorm.ā
Wednesday December 13th: 2 articles were posted by two different websites about the situation. The first article from Inside Higher Ed gave concise and respectful details about Irisā suspension: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/13/supporters-say-student-was-unfairly-suspended-hampshire-college-because-his-autism
The second article was posted on Turtle Boy Sports, a right-wing reactionary website, and makes several questionable claims with no evidence to back them up about Irisā panic attacks. The article is extremely transphobic and greatly misrepresents the situation, most likely to sensationalize the story for alt-right trolls to use. I am including this for transparency but using DoNotLink so as not to give them any page traffic: https://donotlink.it/V2lN
END OF TIMELINE.
As of this afternoon there are no further updates from Hampshire or Iris. Iris is currently safe with a friend. Please signal boost this post so that the facts can be circulated as we are now aware of media coverage that has misrepresented the details and made false claims in order to discredit Iris. As far as is known, IRIS HAS NEVER BEEN A THREAT TO HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE. Any meltdowns and panic attacks they had, any any statements made during them, were made under extreme duress at the hands of a college administration that seems to have systematically denied Iris access to both accommodations to ensure his academic and social success as well as his medication.
some friends and I are working on a project about accessibility on campus in our free time, and as part of it weāre making a list of whether each building is accessible or not and in what ways it needs to be modified, and weāre going to take it to ACCESS next semester (although Iām not really expecting them to do shit bc they were hella condescending when I asked about temporary accommodations).
anyway we still have several buildings to look at but so far weāve categorized about half of the buildings on campus and only two of them meet our criteria.
two.
weāre literally only looking for a ramp, an elevator, and a working accessible button to open doors.
