Melinda W

Government Shutdown Causes Even More Confusion for U.S. Visa Applicants Some services needed for immigration applications, like H-1B and E3 visas, no longer have funding, while others are still operational — for now.

The federal government shut down on Wednesday, as Republican legislators refuse to budge on their desired cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act healthcare subsidies. The last government shutdown was in 2018, also under President Donald Trump, and lasted 35 days.

🔗 www.404media.co/government-s...

Warren: "Knock 15 million people off their coverage, drive up the cost for everyone else, close rural hospitals -- that's the Republican plan, because you know what the real heart of it was? They gave away a trillion dollars to the billionaires. That was the part that matters to them."

Dr. Jen Gunter Sees a Direct Line Between Goop Culture and MAHA The California-based gynecologist and ‘Gwyneth’ biography source opens up about why she’s decided to leave the United States.

I was interviewed for Vanity Fair about the connection between Paltrow, GOOP and MAHA www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...

There is a huge difference between a non-disabled person choosing to stay at home all day, and a disabled person staying at home all day because they have no choice as they’re not well enough to do anything else.

Oklahoma agencies publish private school tax credit recipients under transparency law • Oklahoma Voice Oklahoma officials have released the names of the thousands of taxpayers who received the new Parental Choice Tax Credit.

Oklahoma’s $231 million voucher tax scheme previews how a federal version would work in Michigan and beyond.

New data: wealthiest families use the vouchers, private schools hiked tuition after the taxpayer check.

Only 9% users ever in public school.
oklahomavoice.com/2025/05/08/o...

I had to send my phone for repair last month, so limped along on an old phone. I didn't have access to my authenticator app, so no LinkedIn or Facebook. Phone's back & I still can't get in. Authenticator apps work diff to backup, so I'm locked out. Thankful for "legacy" media, substack & BlueSky.

Research - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Research should include autistic people and benefit us.We need more research that helps autistic people live our lives. But most autism research focuses on trying to find out what causes autism, in or...

Or perhaps this from autistic adults and ASAN...
autisticadvocacy.org/research/

de-identified.

The data are to be identified. I'm not aware that individuals have been targeted following the breach that mined for Ashkenazi Jew genetics.

I thought long & hard about the use of the data, but I'm a rare disease patient #scleroderma. In the interest of aiding research, I DNA tested & learned that I have abt 1.5% Ashkenazi Jew & black genetics. That's ancestry for you. Racial diffs exist in risk & severity w/ SSc. Research is vital.

These are the people interested in buying 23andMe A genomics company, a crypto foundation, and an analytics firm are all eyeing a treasure trove of genetic data.

Here's a rundown of 4 contenders to buy the company. The first one concerns me...
fortune.com/2025/04/01/2...

The LinkedIn login saga continues...
The website now sends a code to my app so I can login.
I'm using an iphone 6 to limp through while my phone is under repair; iTunes wouldn't set up via the backup. I'm running bare bones.
Installed LI app, but it sends a code to my app to setup.
It's a bad loop.

Sent my phone off for service, so am limping along on an old phone, meaning my authenticator app won't run. So far, I can verify myself in other ways everywhere... except LinkedIn. They want me up upload ID/Passport. Umm...
No.
This is a needless barrier. Think stolen wallet or home life situation.

The Dept of Labor posts the data, and there's also this report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics...
www.bls.gov/news.release...

I've been bingeing the Elementary (Sherlock Holmes) series lately. The whole Odin Reichenbach story line seems so prescient...

Rare Disease Day 2024 | Scleroderma Research Foundation Say Scleroderma for Rare Disease Day. Learn more about Rare Disease Day and raise awareness of rare diseases like scleroderma. #SayScleroderma

Today is Rare Disease Day and my stripes are #Scleroderema. I am one of 300k in the US w/ this disease. It hit me 4 years ago, turning my hand basically into a claw. Treatment & PT helped, but there is no cure and we need better treatments.
srfcure.org/living-with-...

Hadn't thought about a stylus. Thanks! Dry and cold fingers, and it takes me forever to operate the Shell gas pump near me.

Brian Setzer Says Autoimmune Disease Has Left Him Unable to Play Guitar Brian Setzer claims he first noticed issues towards the end of Stray Cats' 2024 tour.

Autoimmune disease sucks... and from experience I can say #Scleroderma can feel like this. Whatever he has, sending good wishes for the best outcome with treatment. There is no cure.
www.billboard.com/music/music-...

I'm seeing more people post their resumes to FB community groups in efforts to make connections/find work. From my basic understanding of online privacy, I have reservations. It seems it could promote fraud. Any comments from infosec or online privacy professionals?

Unfortunately, very true. It's hard not to get discombobulated by all of it, and I definitely don't want to add misinformation in the mix. There are already enough fights to champion.

Thank you for catching that!

Useful #ADHD hacks...
Use your phone's Siri or Google for assistance: ex...
Siri, open XX - bc who can find those apps?!
Siri, where are you? - Note you have to learn to keep your phone face up.
When that fails, get an apple watch and ask Siri to find your phone.
Next step - air tags

Tell me no lies, and my face won't tell you you're an idiot or arse.
#authentic

U.S. Military Eases Enlistment Requirements for People with ADHD The Department of Defense has removed waiver requirements and lowered treatment hurdles for 51 conditions, including ADHD and dyslexia.

"Enlisting in the military just became easier for people with #ADHD... 'You’ll have to be honest with yourself about your strengths, challenges, and how well you cope with ADHD, especially without medication'”
www.additudemag.com/military-dis...

Amid Hack, FBI Issues Warning About iPhone, Android Texts An unprecedented cyber attack, nicknamed Salt Typhoon by Microsoft, has potentially exposed private communications to foreign hackers, with officials saying China has targeted major telecom companies.

I guess we now know why Zuckerberg (owner of Meta, which owns Facebook & WhatsApp) met with Trump over Thanksgiving... For those w/ older parents on diff phones, time to go back to email and calls?
www.govtech.com/security/ami...

On Capitol Hill, Key Disability Champions Set To Depart Some of the most prominent voices in Congress for home and community-based services, SSI reform, competitive integrated employment and other disability issues are heading for the exits.

Some of the most prominent voices in #Congress for home and community-based services, #SSI reform, competitive integrated employment and other disability issues are heading for the exits. #disabilities

Literally *no one* is getting rich on disability. John Oliver and I explain exactly why.

This is a labor of love like I haven’t labored in a while. I hope it finds its way to those who will appreciate it.

It’s dedicated to those who are accused of working the system.

#disability #disabilitybenefits #socialsecurity #accessibility #pwd

Painting of peaches and a yellow pitcher on a white table cloth against a teal background. Signed MW.

Painting of a winter scene showing a red painted grist mill and its reflection in the nearby river

Started painting lessons in June as sort of therapy, bc dom hand was tightening up again (#scleroderma). Peaches painting was done primarily w/ non-dom hand; dom hand could only hold a brush for 30 mins. Turns out needed B-complex! I now need freq breaks, but can use dom hand. Winter scene done Oct.

Last night's sleepless random thought...
"When you hear hoof beats, think of horses, not zebras.."
That's all well & good, but as someone w/ #scleroderma who has a sister w/ #myastheniagravis, it seems we have to think horses & zebras, and also muddle our way through which is which. It's exhausting.

As a family member of a seronegative #MyastheniaGravis warrior-snowflake diagnosed after a critical crisis, this... The ice pack test results are wild, as are the curtain sign.