Broken Lives Matter

 Good Morning, Lovelies!     My insomnia and the fact that I am far  behind in sharing this story have inspired me to end my long silence. And I'm sure the black coffee I'm pretending to enjoy (I hate black coffee) is adding a little boldness to my heretofore speechless indignation.     Allow me to set the scene. Three or four weeks ago now, on a Sunday, I was enjoying myself with the usual group of friends who take me to their church and then treat me to lunch. One of said friends and I were in the elevator going up to the apartment home where lunch would be, just minding our own business and looking pretty normal except I had my walker.     Then I was reminded of one of the things I'm most  grateful I no longer have to deal with in my current situation-- you never know who'll be sharing the elevator with you or how they will greet you. Sometimes when I lived in a downtown building, just keeping your mouth shut in those situations was a matt...

Good morning, Lovelies! I present to you another little being for whom the world as it was-- was challenging. Sweet Antonia, the sweet Polar bear with Dwarfism:) The people running a German zoo saw her needs and worked around them. While the isolation is unfortunate because I'm sure Antonia has her lonely moments, at least she is safe and protected. In this world, that's almost as rare and wonderful as she is.  <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1020520406926859%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

Hello Lovelies! This popped up in my Reels (I refuse to join the TikTockerverse) on Facebook and I fell in love. My favorite is the way he signs "eternity." Anecdotally, I've recently learned that using both hands engages the cerebellum, connecting both sides of the brain, which can help combat Dementia and general cognitive decline as we age. I am thus reminded of how none  of us can avoid the need for certain accommodations eventually. "Disability" comes to all of us all--just a lot earlier in some than in others. So it is unavoidable that beveled (cutout) curbs, ramps, and maybe even talking through gestures (i.e. sign language) becomes a necessary part of adapting to one's needs. Maybe if we all learned to sign, it would help us all live and function independently for as long as we like. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1058156156267750%2F&show_text=true&wi...

Using this tool as a fidget would be an excellent way to learn braille! <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1528503391891366%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

Hello Lovelies!  <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F700350099618847%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe> This video is wonderful, because it doesn't spare anyone's feelings. Miss Huff is just knitting and informing her audience of the best ways to approach (or not approach) someone with a disability. It triggers all of my memories of similar cringe-worthy encounters I've had with people (one ironically in a grocery store) who thought they knew me well enough to corner me and grill me on my life. "We don't owe you an explanation"          I wish I ...

Hello Lovelies! I have some thoughts about this guy. Look for them beneath the reel; I want you to hear what he has to say.  <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1923078268262139%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>      Okay, first of all, he's right about one thing. Saying "what happened to you?" to someone using a mobility aid is rude. However, I don't think it's rude for the reasons he says it is. Calling it "disrespectful" seems cheap, as if you're minimizing the offense. It is flat out willful ignorance.     Also, it assumes the aid ...