Disability is about power. I have differences in my body and mind; I’m excluded from important aspects of life: social, cultural, financial. Of course everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Small differences are tolerated, like being nearsighted and able to correct that with glasses. Big differences in mobility and how our senses work, not being able… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you? I’m thinking about how I like to be credited for my work. My zines, blog posts, poems, and art are valuable. Beyond money, the publishing industry, and the art world, what I create matters. So it matters how you share. how I like to be credited for my work Most… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you doing? This post about how I avoid news started as a letter. My good friend sent out a mass email to her friends about how to make a difference in the current political climate, about 70 people cc’ed. I read her email and many replies until finally I felt like… Read More »
Hello, reader. How’re you doing? I’m thinking about how needs work in relationships. Over the decades I’ve been close to many people. partners best friends beloved penpals close friends chosen family Often I get closer and closer to someone until we hit our big issue. Sometimes we can recover from that, and sometimes we never do.… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you doing? Trying to be responsible, I’m seeking medical care and dental care. I’m trying a new Nurse Practitioner after a bad experience with the last one. Today I’m thinking about what I need from a doctor. I’ve had decades of medical trauma. Previously I’d preferred to be shot, over going… Read More »
Hello, reader. Happy new year–how are you? Do you have experience talking with kids about racism? I was sad the other day, remembering when I worked on a reservation in the Eastern Sierras in California and I flubbed an opportunity. race Talking with kids about racism is confusing because I respect kids as bright people… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you doing? I’ve been thinking how disability is enforced poverty. It’s brutal, and I hate it. I have SSDI and food stamps, and I’m asked to make do on very little. But also, there are great parts. Disability is a great builder of compassion. I love disabled people, and I’m happy… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you doing? I made a new art: Justice for the Victims of Insurance Violence. It’s watercolor and marker on some thick fancy paper leftover from a zine project I did in August. Ming is proud of me for making this art. Ming loves when I tell the truth–they support me emotionally,… Read More »
Hello, reader. Do you know about biomass energy? Someone wanted me to sign a petition online to restrict biomass energy. They were saying that it makes harmful air pollution and noise pollution, and biomass energy plants are disproportionately harshing the lives of Black people. I’m upset about air pollution: breathing is not optional. My mom… Read More »
I was trying to figure out why medical care hurts so much. There are many factors, such as a handover of power I’m supposed to do–I’m supposed to believe the doctor can handle the well-being of my body better than I can, which is incorrect. There’s also trauma I carry from decades of medical harm. … Read More »