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We’ve also turned our Twitter account into a fun and friendly bot that we would love for you to test out. 💞 

Some Things Nobody Tells You About Being in a Wheelchair

You’re gonna get all sorts of advice on how to think, what to think, how to be positive, how to keep abled-bodied people comfortable. However, almost nobody is going to tell you how to be disabled, if you catch my drift. Very few people actually want to talk about it, so without further adieu, here are some things I wish somebody told me:

-Getting out of your car in the rain is terrifying. It’s a slippery, wet hell.

-The snow is even worse. People are going to shovel into accessible parking spots. Or worse, they won’t shovel it. You will inexplicably have to cancel plans at some point or another due to the snow.

-Mud and dirt. All over your hands, all the time.

-Yes, your shoulders are going to be sore for the first few months, and anytime you over exert. 

-Yes, your butt is going to ache after sitting all day.

-Invest in side guards!! Seriously, they’ll save your clothes. I personally like the removable kind, because it’s easier to transfer with them off.

-Scissor breaks (or undermount breaks) are fantastic for saving your thumbs from the pain of jamming them on the break, however they’re more money.

-You will face-plant. It will happen, and it will be mortifying. We’ve all been there.

-Get some cycling gloves!

-People really do stare.

-They also really do ask inappropriate questions. Be prepared.

-The world isn’t all that accessible. Even when places claim to be, they aren’t always. Restaurants are a personal hell for me because the tables are always too close together and they never have accessible bathrooms.

-Your hands are going to get gross. Mine are calloused and nasty 24/7. If you get manicures then this won’t be as bad, but you’ll still have to say goodbye to smooth hands.

-Learn how to wheelie. You’re going to have to wheelie of curbs, bumps in the sidewalk, all the stuff.

-Your shoes are going to last forever, which is fantastic, but it’s almost impossible to break them in.

-If you put a backpack on the back of your chair (which you should) make sure it’s not too heavy, or else you’ll fall backwards when you wheelie.

-Keep your chair clean. Tweeze the grime and hair from your caster wheels at least every 4 weeks. Keep your tires full of air.

-Carry around an allen wrench in your bag or backpack. You might never need it, but if you do, you’ll be really glad to have it.

-If you’re planning of wear high heels, consider lowering your footplate so that your knees aren’t too high up.

-Consider getting a hand held shower head. It just makes life easier.

-High waisted pants and long tops are a blessing.

Boosting this helpfulness for everyone who needs it.

a revelation I probably should have noticed waaaaay sooner that I thought

It’s hard being an artist and balancing school and friends and just trying to take care of yourself. Especially if you have limited energy from mental or chronic illness. Idk about y'all but when I have friends or friends who do stuff I feel compelled to draw stuff for them. Why?

Because I’m an artist and they’re my friend. What if I can’t do that for them? Does that mean I’m a terrible friend? They all deserve the best. So why can’t I give them the best?

Then I noticed something.

My friends aren’t there because I draw. They’re there because they wanna be my friend. They enjoy inviting me to things and talking to me even if I don’t draw stuff for them every day, and it’s not even forced either. They somehow like my company??

So tl;dr especially to all those artistsout there: don’t feel so obligated to draw stuff for your friends. You can if you want, I am not stopping you. Just know that your friends aren’t your friends if they only like you for your art. You can still enjoy things. You’re allowed to do that!

<3 to our artist followers <3

“Piecing Yourself Together, One Cup Of Tea At A Time”

all are welcome

#NOBANNOWALL

Thousands got out today in airports to protest against Trump’s Muslim Ban singing “This Land is Your Land.” and a Federal judge has been able to block the Muslim Ban but it’s only a temporary fix so pls if you’re american Call your member of Congress and demand they overturn the ban for good! if you can’t or aren’t american but able financially pls donate to the ACLU.

To everyone who is protesting at airports: you are heroes. To everyone currently detained: you are loved.

Femsplainers! We are launching a self-care focused community within Femsplain called Aloe. It will be launching officially Feb 1st! Stay tuned to learn more about what we’ll be doing. Sign up for our newsletter!

Follow: @aloebud Learn: femspla.in/aloebud

do what you gotta do even if you have to do it alone

gentle reminder

life may feel hard, you may feel overwhelmed, and you may feel like you need to try and do everything for everyone, but please just try your best to calm down and take a breather; nothing is more important than your mental health

Femsplainers! We are launching a self-care focused community within Femsplain called Aloe. It will be launching officially Feb 1st! Stay tuned to learn more about what we'll be doing. Sign up for our newsletter!

Follow: @aloebud Learn: femspla.in/aloebud