I use a mobility device. I’m on the autism spectrum. I manage mental illness, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. I’m the creator of the Spoonies Authors Network and co-editor of the Nothing Without Us anthology. A huge part of my existence is now about promoting the works and voices of disabled/Deaf/neurodiverse folks and those who … Continue reading
I have scars. Some are small, dots of white, thickened skin from IVs and needles. Some are grand and dramatic, hinting of glorious, terrifying wounds. I’ve written here and here about where they came from, so I won’t rehash it again. I always think of that day in May, shortly after my 37th birthday, as … Continue reading
I’m sure many of you will read that title and think: One too many cupcakes, Cait? Is all that sugar affecting your perception? Nope. It’s true. My first entry into feeling in community with a disabled person was when I bonded with Noola Quirk from Life in the ’Cosm. Okay, yeah, I know it seems … Continue reading
It’s just aches and pains; I’m not a real spoonie. That’s what my brain tells me and has been telling me for the past five years. I was first diagnosed at 30 years old with mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the joints of my big toes. At the time, it felt like I had dislocated … Continue reading
My body is twitchy. A tiny increase in pressure, a centimetre difference in a sidewalk slope, even a minuscule shift of someone’s buttocks on the sofa cushion beside mine can cause waves of pain to fire up my spine, sliding my bad hip out of place and burning through my thighs and calves. I wince … Continue reading
Rick Moranis’s character in the 1984 Ghostbusters movie asks everyone, “Are you the Gatekeeper?” When I first watched it in the theatre, for a measly $2.50 (and even that was free because my friend and I found a $5 bill outside the Sheraton Centre theatre), it was a fun plot piece. Now, 35 years later, … Continue reading
It’s your friendly neighbourhood SpAN Editor here. I thought for the start of 2019, it would be great to highlight how our contributors (and other awesome humans) are using their spoons! For our first Spoonie Spotlight, we’re featuring the incomparable Jamieson Wolf, author of over 60 works. While we could talk all day about his … Continue reading
The other day, a buddy of mine and I were discussing how the slightest medical procedures or even routine vaccinations can greatly impact our chronic fatigue symptoms. We can lose spoons just like POOF! I told my friend that having more time alloted to their fatigue budget would really help. Then I explained how in … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This is our last post in this series. You can read them all by selecting Spoon Stealers from the Articles/Series menu! I want to let you know from the start that this is about me and the one dream I have left. Today, I’m not standing up for injustice or for a noble … Continue reading
