Diary of a Disabled Person

Yesterday, on my commute home, a stranger told me I was "a warrior".

Disability isn't something I war with.
It's something I live with.

The biggest war I'd had that day was fighting with my umbrella which kept turning inside out.

Casual reminder the disabled space is not a space.
It's a seat, same as any other.
Move your fucking shit.

a bunch of balloons are flying in the air Alt: Multi-coloured balloons drifting through the sky.

Happy 15th birthday to my disability

I'm married to the sibling, not the sibling myself, so sibling didn't feel right!

I woke up to the best message ever this morning:
"Say hi to your niece"

Bramble, my calico cat, loafs on my wheelchair wearing my red Christmas headband with penguin boppers on.

There's still time to make it onto Santa's nice list!

Bramble says prrrb

Screenshot of YouTube wrapped, showing I was in the top 2% of viewers of game streamer Welonz.

@welonz.bsky.social my cat knows the sound of your voice

I work with people with disabilities = I have a friend who's Black/queer.

Bramble, a calico cat with white paws, lies inside a green Christmas bag.

The only gift I need.

The next time someone non-disabled comments on my ability to drive my wheelchair, I'm commenting on their ability to walk.

Just been filmed getting on the bus for the West Yorkshire Bus Consultation. Disability rep matters!

STOP BEING WEIRD TO DISABLED PEOPLE.
Over the weekend, a man literally bent down towards me and did a thumbs up in my face, like hailing a bus.
Because I use a wheelchair so that's funny, I guess?
I literally cannot go out on a night out without something like this happening.

A very fancy box

Alice Wong was an inspiration, not because she was disabled, but because she never let the bastards grind her down.
To say she will be missed is simply an understatement.

Bramble, a calico cat, looks out from inside a cardboard chalet. The chalet has a snowy roof, and a wreath above the door.

The instruction manual didn't mention having to remove the cat between each step of assembly.

The instruction manual didn't mention having to remove the cat between each step of assembly.

I'm good, it was just weird!

As we pass each other, this fucking guy pats me twice on the shoulder like I'm a child. Like a proper "there, there" pat. WTF.
I'm super weirded out.
I'm sure he meant no harm but don't fucking do that.
No fucking touchy.

Story time.
Over the weekend I'm going one way in my wheelchair, a stranger is going the other way, and we do that awkward left-right dance to try and get past each other.
Fine, actually kind of a nice normal interaction.
But oh no, it's gotta be ruined.

a man and a woman from the emperor 's new groove are standing next to each other and talking . Alt: Gif from The Emporers New Groove. Kronk, a hench man in yellow and purple clothes, prods Kuzko the emporer, a small man in red and gold. Kuzko immediately creates space between them, yelling "no touchy".

Don't randomly touch disabled people!

I hold Bramble, a calico cat, in my arms. She is grabbing my hand to lick it, and is mid-lick in the photo.

Black and white photo. I am wearing a black dress with a lace overlay decorated with spiders webs. I'm also wearing a black witch hat, bat earrings, a pentacle choker, several rings, and black and white makeup.

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain.

A meerkat stood upright on lookout duty in a sandy enclosure.

Insurance salesman would not leave me alone 🙄

Wore my keffiyeh into work this morning, and while in the lift a hijabi lass said she liked it because she could tell I was one of the safe ones.
I hate that marginalised communities feel unsafe, but if something so simple helps, I'm wearing this every time I go outside.

The risk of not being able to get on the train, not being able to get in the wheelchair space, not being able to get off the train, and being blamed by staff for any issues while paying through the nose for the privelege was simply not worth it.

Was supposed to be going somewhere this weekend, but lack of investment in the north means there's no bus between 2 places an hour apart.
No biggie, right?
Except, the prospect of having to navigate trains as a disabled person at short notice put me off going altogether.

My favourite genre of man is the ones that get visibly confused when I don't automatically move out of their way.

A silver necklace with a spoon charm, resting in my hand.

I will always have at least one spoon of energy left while wearing this necklace.
#spoonie

Bramble, a calico cat, lies on her hammock looking up at the camera, sporting a fetching pride bandana around her neck.

Bramble ferociously bunny kicks a catnip pillow, with her ears back.

Bramble lies belly up in the sun on my wheelchair, asleep.

Selfie in my powered wheelchair, with Bramble on the back bar behind my shoulder.

Can't believe we've had Bramble a whole year!

Screenshot of my weather app showing a bright and sunny day, with white text reading "fair weather for running right now"

Gee thanks, weather app

kermit the frog is dancing in front of a red curtain on a stage . Alt: Kermit the frog flailing his arms around frantically and yelling, in front of a red curtain.

Not to sound like a Boomer but...
Finally "upgraded" to wireless earbuds and now I have to charge a case to charge my headphones that then need updating to be able to listen to music.
HOW IS THIS AN IMPROVEMENT?!?