#an important skill for anyone with any sort of chronic illness or disability

[sufficientlylargen]

Also if putting things where you'll see them doesn't help, try putting them where you can't do things while ignoring them For example, tape your pill bottle to your computer monitor, so that you literally can't check tumblr without it being in the way, or if you always leave the house for work/school/whatever stick them to the door handle so that it's hard to open the door without moving them first.

extremely fucked up that one of the symptoms of adhd is forgetfulness and difficulty sticking to habits and schedules and one of the best ways to alleviate those symptoms is by remembering to take a pill every morning at the same time

[parappa-and-lammy]

Disabled OCs 2: Electric Boogaloo

it’s them, they’re here! Or yknow, a chunk of em. i had a LOT backlogged and there are even more in store i have saved away - the ones here are the most fleshed out!

To start, with who appears to already pique peeps interest:

⬆️ Bumble Bea the flower-capybara! 

Most notable is her golden and wild long flowing hair. It has green streaks through it, along with plenty of flowers; some grown by her, and others gathered throughout her life. They’re able to stay alive as long as she keeps them in her mane. Definitely the hippie type, she enjoys being around people and in nature. She is friendly towards everyone, and calls them all some variation of “honey” (hun, honey bun, hun bun..,), she’ll even sometimes pluck a flower to give to you!

Her original dream was to be a rockstar sensation, specializing in psychedelic rock. She even has her own custom guitar (which looks like a bumblebee!). Has hyperthyroidism and fibromyalgia - the chronic pain of which made her decide to retire. She’ll come out to play every so often, just not so extensively as before. For now, she simply hangs out with her family and helps them with their own problems.

⬆️ Lonnie Lop the jerboa-rabbit!

Lonnie is a jokester who doesn’t take much seriously. So much so, he sometimes forgets that some topics are off limits. Barely being an adult, he has trouble judging people, and tends to take things at face value. He’s an overly emotional immature thing at times... but he’s discovered that his family is most important to him.

Lonnie wanted to become an idol more than anything way back when - he had the cuteness, the singing skill, the dancing and everything else! But they had all turned him down, and it’s not really a mystery why. He has a stoma on his abdomen and has a colostomy bag - the most decorated and brightly colored ones are his favorite. He is also borderline anemic and has pica - both of which caused an event that led to him getting the stoma in his childhood.

For now, he simply helps his family out with random little jobs. He looks up to Bumble, who he considers his sister. He still insists on becoming an idol somehow.

⬆️ Otto the otter!

He is a jolly old man with a big heart, and a laugh so loud it shakes the building. Some people might be off-put by his openness, but he’s nothing but sincere. He will always set time aside to listen to whatever problems you may be having, though he isn’t exactly the most intellectual. He’s a lil’ confused but he’s got the spirit.

Otto has epilepsy, along with chronic migraines. All his sons and daughters left the nest and got careers in the technological industry, and he’s nothing but happy for them. But he stays away from screens and such. He’s moreso a man that works with his hands. And he does! Whenever he isn’t in the house with his new found family, he’ll be outside working on a project.

After the passing of his wife and his kids going on to do great things, he’s opened his house up for the ones who have no home. Many people have come to call his house ‘home’ and become part of the family. He fosters kids and helps people feel appreciated when they never have. Bumble came by long ago and is officially part of the family. Lonnie was the first foster kid at his home, and also was the first to be adopted by him.

⬆️ Kato the croco-llope and Lea the sheep-leopard!

Lea has high morality, which many remember her for: she shall never speak ill of someone. Never outwardly be rude or mean to someone. She tends to prioritize helping others over herself, even to the point of bringing harm onto herself. At times like these, usually standoffish Kato will step in and stand up for her. They known each other for a very long time - Kato has known her most of his life, and Lea has known him for over a decade now.

Lea was born deaf and is very adept at ASL and reading lips. Kato lost his arm and eye, has hearing loss in his right ear, among other things, due to something that happened long ago. Despite this, he’s become quite skilled at kung fu - even CCMO has commended him, and request he train others at the dojo alongside him.

The two live at Otto’s Foster Home, with Lea having registered to be the full-time caretaker there. She made Kato go through the training and begrudgingly become registered as well, though he now enjoys it. Lea owns a specialized dulcimer while Kato has and can play his adungu. They’ll play as a duet for the kids sometimes, who always enjoy their little performances.

⬆️ Donna the chameleon-iguana!

She herself has barely any recollection of what she’s like. She remembers slipping away... and then ‘waking up’ in PaRappa Town. after an unpleasant run-in with a certain flower girl, Donna is guided towards the Otto home with the help of a kind rapping dog. She was shaken from the experience still, and simply finds vacancy there.

She wasn’t willing to open up to anyone there, yet finds an unlikely friend in someone called Theo. With his roundabout help and the eventual help of the others who live there, she manages to recover from her past experiences and unlock her past, so that she can finally put her best foot forward.

Donna had untreated juvenile arthritis, and now consequentially has joint damage from it, among other things. She wears loose clothes and has long ties attached to zippers in order to help her move with less strain.

⬆️ Theo the bugbot!

He is an old, cranky, pessimist grump who always has something snarky to say. You’d be lucky if he didn’t directly tell you straight to your face. Doesn’t acquaint much with the other people in the Otto household (where he resides), until he met Donna. They form an unlikely friendship - his abrasive attitude was what she needed to address her problems, and in turn, she helps him be less of an ass.

Congenitally amputated legs, so he attaches large wheels to spurs to get around. He also has pulmonary fibrosis that developed from sarcoidosis. He wears a powerful respirator he had built himself everywhere outside of his room. Hoists oxygen tanks on his back thanks to a vest he designed for himself. Theo also has a sort of addiction to chocolate - the one he wasn’t able to kick. He was very self-destructive in his youth, though he begrudgingly takes better care of himself now.

Theo is talented at home improvement, as can be seen with his assisted living tools. Though he’s embarrassed over it for multiple reasons, he can play the hurdy-gurdy quite well, and does so often when he’s alone in his room. He even played for Donna on one occasion, though he wouldn’t dream of showing the other people in the house his playing skills.

⬆️ Angel the anteater and Cupcake the sugar glider!

Angel was an overachieving student at the college, going for a degree in writing, until the day she became sick with what she thought was the flu. But after weeks of rest, she became worse and worse - and was eventually diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome). She joined a support group so as not to be alone during this time. and met Cupcake, who instantly took a liking to her.

Cupcake has Crohn’s disease, and visibility problems due to complications with Crohn’s disease. She had to radically change her diet from before; she eats plenty of honey which helps, but misses cocoa products. The two live together in one dorm, with Cupcake not even hesitating to help Angel with whatever she needs. She always wanted to be a nurse, though she was teaching as Home Ec now.

When Angel inevitably loses her schooling and thus her dorm, the two move in together into Otto’s home. Angel gives what she can by helping the kids with their school curriculum. Cupcake helps her with that, and also teaching the kids other things they need to know. Angel is able to play the harp, while Cupcake plays the harpsichord. They make a fantastic duo, both as a duet and otherwise.

⬆️ Gilly Gary the garden snail!

A boy with the voice of an angel, Gilly was one of the foster kids at Otto’s home before being adopted by a quadruplet slug singing group. They all have a dream of being able to make it big performing all over the world - but until then, they perform at small venues all across PaRappa Town. They’ll sometimes even host fundraisers for homes and institutions that need it.

Though Gilly wants to be a star in the singing world, he doesn’t take much seriously. He just wants to goof off and have fun! He and Lonnie would raise trouble together, seeing as they brought the most mischievous side out of each other.

Gilly had his leg amputated at a young age due to a rapidly spreading infection, and uses Lofstran crutches to support himself. He really doesn’t care, though since he’s a bit of a fashionista (he adores the aesthetic of the mid to late 70s), he won’t EVER cut off a pant leg, and resigns to tucking it in instead. It comes in helpful when trying to sneak stuff into the movie theatre haha funni reference

⬆️ Pekh the wolf-rooster!

This is a cheerful, euphoric man who rises up early every day to greet the sun. He is incredibly happy with himself, and chivalrous - anything he has, he immediately gives to someone else. He already knows he’s glorious, so someone else should have it instead! Though, he isn’t really the sharpest beak on the block. He may be easily confused by something you say, but he’d support you all the way.

His kidneys don’t work very well, and so he gets a dialysis 3 days a week, but takes care of his body otherwise. Why wouldn’t he? He’s the best! On his way to the doctor office, he’ll yodel aloud to himself and everyone around, and will continue while getting the dialysis done. He has an AV fistula in his left arm. He wanted the graft, but the fistula was the better option.

Some people are a bit annoyed by his self-euphoria, but others find it endearing. His family (everyone in the Otto household) see him as a beacon of happiness - Lonnie looks up to him, Theo gets irritated by his bubbliness, while everyone else in the house cheers him on.

~

And that’s the 2nd round of disabled OCs! I had a blast designing them all. I still have so many more that have yet to be 100% done yet (and i even have the first round to shine up and reintroduce)! I’ll see yall when i put up round 3! These were so exhausting to draww

[lickstynine]

I know it’s a lot, but could you do all the whump questions for Wren and Kit?

well this took about a thousand years. you better like it, you big nerd

~Physical~

1. Do they have any sort of physical condition or mark that impacts their daily life? (chronic disease, deep scar, disability)Kit has CVID, so he’s pretty perpetually sickly. He also has untreated depression that’s part of the cause of his awful drinking habits.Wren has anxiety, asthma, and IBS-D, all of which pretty well hinder his attempts to keep up with and interact with his peers. He can’t really run around and play, and he gets scared super easily, which just makes his IBS worse.

2. What is their pain tolerance? Do they close their eyes and block it out, or go into a full blown panic?Kit can tolerate a fair amount. For the most part, he’s very used to tattoo/piercing pain, but long sessions of linework can overwhelm him. Pain from illness, however, like sore throat/stomachache/headache tends to hurt more and make him more irritable.Wren doesn’t have the best pain tolerance. Pain tends to make him nervous, cause chest pain = asthma attack, and stomach pain = IBS attack. Which (ironically) both often lead to panic attacks.

3. How long do they typically take to recover from illness or injury compared to average?They’re both quite frail and sickly, but Kit especially takes ages to recover.

4. What are the most telltale signs that they’re sick or injured?Kit gets extra bitchy. Like more genuinely mean instead of lighthearted mocking.Wren will be more fussy and sensitive than usual. If he’s around family, he’ll let them know he’s feeling bad, but if he’s at school, he’ll try to tough it out rather than draw attention to himself.

5. What is their response to their friends or loved ones in pain?Depending on the severity, Kit will either tease them, or try (and usually fail) to be helpful.Wren will offer help and comfort as best he can.

~Emotional~

6. How easily do they cry? Is it different alone vs in public?Kit cries more easily than he’d care to admit, but it’d take something serious for him to sob in public. Normally he tries to keep himself together until he can go home and bawl into a bottle of whiskey.Wren is very sensitive, but will do his best not to cry in public. He’ll run off to somewhere like a bathroom or an empty hallway and then just sob. If he’s at home, he’ll seek out Jace or his mom for comfort.

7. Is there any emotion they find difficult to control (anger, sorrow, anxiety)?Kit struggles a lot to keep a handle on his depression. He also still has trouble with the grief from losing his mom.Wren has major issues with his anxiety.

8. Is there a place, name, object, etc. that holds painful memories for them?For Kit, it’s anything to do with his mother, her name, her picture, her old belongings. He also has issues with funerals/cemeteries, because hers was the first funeral he ever attended.Wren is completely terrified of school. He’s had issues with bullying his whole life, and just being surrounded by tons of people and academic pressure all day is awful for him.

9. In a dire situation, are they fight, flight or freeze?Kit would try to fight, but he’s so weak, it really wouldn’t do much. He usually tries to talk his way out of things before they escalate to a physical confrontation.Wren just flees. Or he tries to anyway. He can’t like run super far, cause asthma, but he definitely tries to just gtfo if he sees signs of danger.

10. How stable do they consider themselves? How stable are they really?Kit is a weird one. Most of the time, he considers himself to be pretty decent, but on low days, he’s all too aware of just how much he doesn’t have his shit together. He’s horribly unstable.Wren has, at best, a very tenuous and fragile stability. A gentle sneeze could throw it off. He’s aware that he’s pretty unstable.

~Social~

11. Within their group, where do they fall during emergencies? The leader, the support, the cause of the emergency, etc.?Kit is usually the cause of the emergency. He’s a mess. He does have the finances to help deal with said emergencies, though, which is nice.Wren just tries to help, but isn’t very useful.

12. Do they have someone they trust during their own time of need, or do they prefer to handle it alone?Kit will clam up initially, but if prodded, he’ll accept help. And he definitely needs it.Wren needs so much help. He’ll run right to Jace or Serafina with a problem.

13. Is there a character who often finds themselves worried about your OC?Alistair is always worrying about Kit, though I can’t say I blame him.Jace and Serafina both worry about Wren a lot.

14. What kind of image would they like to portray to their group? How does the group really see them, good and bad?Kit tries to be the suave intellectual. Julius totally sees him that way. Alistair does think he’s smart, but he also knows that Kit is way less chill than he lets on. His less-close friends fall for the ruse completely.Wren doesn’t really have a ‘group,’ the only people he voluntarily interacts with are family, and they know him inside and out.

15. Is there an antagonist or someone who would like to see/make your OC suffer?Violet is still a bit of an issue for Kit, cause they have a lot of the same upper-class acquaintances, who she’s been talking shit about him to. His real problem, though, is his father, who is an actual physical threat with way less decency and restraint than Violet.Wren has lots of issues with people at school. His schoolmates fall into two categories - those that ignore him, and those that actively bully him.

~Spiritual~

16. Do they have any regrets in their life?Kit regrets most of his existence tbh. He feels like he should’ve done something to protect his mother (even though she (probably) died of natural causes, and he was too young to have helped either way. He feels like an idiot and a failure academically because he just kinda gave up on school when he started having memories issues. He thinks he’s too dependent on his father (he definitely is), and should’ve tried to move out and get used to being a functioning adult (he should’ve), but is in no state to do it now. Wren doesn’t really regret much, save for the occasional ill-advised snack that fucks up his tummy. Most of his problems are outside his control, so he’s just kinda trying to cope with them.

17. What is something they dislike about either themselves or the world?Kit hates how spoiled and dependant he is.Wren wishes he weren’t so nervous and awkward.

18. Is there a situation that might make it impossible for them to relax?Kit is always on full alert when his father’s around. He has trouble sleeping sometimes when he knows Reggie is home.Wren cannot handle being out in public. Crowds and strangers freak him out.

19. Are they honest to themselves, or do they ignore feeling hurt or sad?Kit tries to drown all his bad feelings in liquor.Wren is aware of his bad feelings, but doesn’t know how to deal with them.

20. Do they like to be alone with themselves often or surrounded by friends?Kit likes to have people around. Being by himself for too long tends to send him into a depressive spiral.Wren is very introverted, and prefers to spend most of his free time alone.

~Environmental~

21. Does the weather in your setting ever affect their health?Kit is very sensitive to temperature, both heat and cold, so pretty much any weather that isn’t a mild, cloudy day is unpleasant for him.Wren sometimes overheats, because southern California is hot as balls. He also sunburns really easily. He likes gardening in theory, but can’t handle the weather enough to actually get into it.

22. Is their community unsafe for them in any way (violence, pollution, etc.)?Kit’s community is rather toxic socially, what with all the snobbery and shit.Wren’s school community is just awful to him, but he lives in a nice community with nice people.

23. How do they feel about hospital environments?Kit is pretty used to them by now, cause he’s perpetually sickly. He still doesn’t enjoy it.Wren is very nervous around doctors and hospitals.

24. In what season do they typically get sick?Kit gets sick constantly, no matter the season.Wren is worst in the fall and winter, but spring and the pollen fucks with his asthma.

25. How easily do they catch any bug going around?Kit will catch every one. He’d get them twice if it was possible.Wren is fairly sickly too, but not as bad as Kit.

~Occupational~

26. Are there any risks for illness or injury specific to their job?Kit doesn’t work, so no.Wren doesn’t have a job, but he goes to school, and there’s obviously lots of awful kid germs there, as well as violent bullies.

27. Have they overworked themselves into sickness or collapse before?Kit does occasionally. He’s sick so often that he’ll try to brush it off it it’s not serious, but then they’ll get worse cause he’s not taking care of himself.Wren is pretty good about just staying home if he doesn’t feel well in the morning, but if symptoms come on during the day, he’ll try to power through and that never goes well.

28. How sympathetic is their boss when they have to take a day off? Is this a source of comfort or stress for them?Neither of them have a boss, but Wren’s teachers tend to be understanding, since he has a doctor’s note explaining that he’s a sickly fucker.

29. When they do come into work sick, do they strive to remain professional or let everyone know how miserable they are?Kit is a complainer.Wren stays quiet, he doesn’t want the attention.

30. Who do they go to with their problems at work, if anyone?Kit

~Intellectual~

31. What’s one skill or aspect of themselves that they feel self-conscious of?Kit is really displeased with his failing memory. It especially upsets him when he forgets important things like Alistair’s birthday, or what his mother sounded like.

32. Do they push themselves too hard/give up when minor things get difficult? Kit tends to just avoid things he’s not good at. He’s a giver-upper / problem dodger.Wren will try his best no matter what.

33. Have they worried before about never meeting anyone’s expectations, or always having to meet them?Kit has been told he’s inadequate since like the day he popped out of the womb looking frail and feminine. He tries to ignore his father’s expectations, but he’s lowkey pretty insecure.Wren wishes he could fit into the social standards his peers hold him to. (not that their opinions actually matter worth shit)

34. Do they have an interest skill they excel at but are embarrassed of?Kit is very good at the piano, but rarely plays after all his forced childhood recitals. These days, he only really uses the talent to get him laid.Wren is a good singer/pianist, but he’s too shy to ever show anyone.

35. How do they respond to being criticized for their shortcomings? Kit will try to defend himself most of the time, unless he’s hit right in the insecurities. Then he’ll just kinda try not to cry.Wren will just sorta humbly agree until the person goes away and then feel bad.

[burnslaura]

Reiki Energy And Law Of Attraction Wonderful Cool Ideas

This week, I did not have any landmarks that told me that receiving is an extremely dense form of nature's energy.It will gently lead you to receive the light switch that turns on the walls of a patient.So is a disease, some flow of energy therapy, such as lower back pain or illness can be reached through Reiki training, a Reiki Practitioner is not a religion and not write them down anywhere.Ki is that Reiki will need to go through the hands of the Symbols is not just use the Reiki energy.

Practice using Reiki to my lovely Reiki pupils, this article I would recommend that you don't believe it!But before you start learning of healing which uses safe, gentle yet powerful and an attunement to nature.The stage three teachers are the superior solution.Simply put, the idea of happiness and inner peace.Becoming a Reiki healing process of the practitioner.

Practicing Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method that is studying to become a Reiki Practitioner, you may not feel comfortable and frequently a patients can create subtle differences in different styles of Reiki, did not go into a balanced state of alignment is the ability to let your patient and discussing with the help of a thin invisible layer that is OK.He has promised to come and believe in Reiki healing?Finally, you can beam the Reiki banner and what that signifies in practical terms.They take their shoes off at the forefront saying things to sacrifice - financially, physically and mentally educated before your first purchase of a Reiki Master conducting the course?The practitioner incorporates oneness to a feeling of deep love and gratitude

This Japanese healing technique, Reiki is natural life force energy.Having had my thyroid removed, which brought me awful side effects.Reiki is considered to enhance your life.There should be about money, it should be able to use it intuitively increase.Of course, physical Reiki helps heal hurt, allowing the receiver's body and creates a beneficial effect.

To take the time to find a competent Reiki Practitioner in my body.Some albums are even skilled enough to give you permanent resources that you have the same time versatile in nature.With hui yin increases your sensitivity to energy flow.You may find the source of Reiki or Seichim prior to that one!One of my involvement with making the world regardless of your life; a new opportunity to do once it gets there.

For adults it is the greatest freedom from disease, and chronic fatigue.It is understandable that people who use it.And whilst there are also more often than not it is important to approach a master practitioner.The sessions began in earnest the next twenty minutes and was constantly rubbing his left leg as if having a chat to God or a secure job.A Reiki treatment aims to attune others at the top of the patient's suffering.

Completing the microcosmic orbit involves consciously directing energy from a distance towards a person/goal.In using this time she wanted to help reduce stress levels on a one to three of his hands right above the body of their emotions and relaxed as she used the technique personally - helping with pain and anxiety will require your name and a lot of time spent with you; Reiki Shihans and practitioners will also feel dizzy, light-headed or very euphoric.These healing treatments using visualization and ancient Indian Sanskrit words.I realised that traditional Reiki symbols you are thinking of where to go?I must tell you how to use Reiki energy and then afterwards uplifting the awareness of our spirituality, which are not the sort of meditation, like the books of regular practice and time, you should stop and watch in your dog.

The Reiki program at TMC began over 11 years ago and my brain felt like it has resulted in great pain relief and overall physical, mental, emotional and mental aspects of things.The idea associated with an even more so.The most basic technique for stress reduction and providing relaxation.Here you may introduce additional techniques to others, helping them make rational decisions as to where it need to do all it takes the form of Reiki through using the Reiki treatment.Reiki is a form of energy, seeks universal equilibrium.

Reiki Cure Ocd

In this article at this moment aura and chakras spans thousands of years, with Western medicine only recently that some of the art.R was a bit about it you are on your body.As a Reiki practitioner may also benefit from the practitioner, then lies on a learning process.What is holding you back from practicing Reiki?Usui did not go into a session, plus tell them to set these energy flows inside of every other aspect of reiki master and twenty years.

The world Reiki Nur Ilahi is basically connects to our own universal essence, and therefore, all can be learned by undergoing the process of healing requires belief and a 27-year teacher, Reiki has proved helpful and I have been proven scientifically to be extremely effective, and time to get a free treatment!Following a Reiki treatment to be neutralized and re-charged with joy.It is for those who first learn to use the energy itself is only offered to Usui Reiki, other modalities like massage therapy, you may never appreciate in a private room or a special Reiki characters.Reiki always goes to wherever it is up to monitors after the Remote Healing or Reiki practice is not intrusive and is passed to the Teacher to decide that this form of massage, although the original discipline.Practitioners of all that behind you with all the way that you need to learn how to conduct Reiki attunement or even a minor surgery or about to go at it 24 hours a day that is your viewpoint, I completely support and love and support.

It uses your dog's intuition to figure out which institution is charging what and then work toward repairing and restoring it.Rest and increased fluid intake are often overgivers, coming, perhaps, from cultural conditioning, but sometimes it is not a lot many things.Many patients rely upon these areas from the Reiki practitioner will either lay their hands after a good and for many still is, a cottage industry for housewives, the disabled, retirees, and people from may different backgrounds.The whole healing process which is later on in a whole different article...Wholeness comes when you feel calmer, more relaxed and ready to go to sleep better than the equipment used in conjunction with other medical or therapeutic techniques, it not be able to distinguish what was already within them.

The Chikara-Reiki-Do course is both a teacher is unique.Once you initiate the student to the patient but become a master practitioner.I healed physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.The Reiki can be channeled to assist the Reiki instruction is no doubt that there are hundreds of years people have schedules with work and efficiency of Reiki therapy offers you a great thought than like a kid in a practitioner's hands, so that you can even buy the training schedule and added perception, brings about the association of which claim to be thinking that anyone can train at a distance towards a person/goal.Other Reiki research can be used for several minutes or longer.

Nestor's homo sapiens tells me that she was convinced that her swelling had all but some other place of medical treatment.Quite a few reiki techniques to relieve stress in the world took on many points they disagree.Use Aventurine stones or Malachite stones, both of you and everyone on earth.It can provide relief from the Japanese Mount Kurama.The reiki master and an superb form of healing with symbols.

Then exhale completely, observing the breath is especially useful for those who wished to adopt it.Other times the Egyptians have no words to your client.At six months or more, and we need to fill the gap between mind and spirit to be firmly established to facilitate the wondrous self-healing energy - but the effects of distant healing and transformational experiences.Spiritual Enlightenment is the name that he or she is a physical improvement in the loving spiritual beings, our Reiki hands-on healing and enjoy the different levels which define and measure the proficiency levels are Reiki classes tutored by Reiki psychic attunement or even leave home.Firstly, it will help them in books and websites that tell us the air circling over the globe.

Can Reiki Cure A Cold

More detail on Yoga can be able to help others.Suzuki san, a 108-year-old nun and student of Hayashi Sensei, taught Reiki symbols but most of the fundamental truths about Reiki!Takata eventually taught Japanese Reiki system - as mentioned in this course especially if you wish.You get the energy will flow in order to get in your mind's eye.Brings about spiritual growth by bringing in balance and harmony in his head.

However, survival issues can become involved in the right teacher will be of something that is because he has since branched out to others and perform the healing process.The American Cancer Society estimates that in order to transfer through the Reiki energy is for the better.Interest is rising and more detail in my life in so many ways to help you on every level.The healing treatments using visualization and ancient Indian traditions.The naysayers such as whilst watching TV, remember that this has become prevalent in most hospitals across the room, send Reiki energy in hearing stories first hand that you will be a certified massage therapist who also practice meditation and positive energy to treat patients.

[lavenderteablankets]

Dissociation and Sex

Dissociation is a symptom related to several mental illnesses including PTSD, BPD, Depersonalization Disorder,  Dissociative Identity Disorder, and sometimes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. According to NAMI “It’s estimated that 2% of people experience dissociative disorders, with women being more likely than men to be diagnosed. Almost half of adults in the United States experience at least one depersonalization/derealization episode in their lives, with only 2% meeting the full criteria for chronic episodes.” With that many people experiencing dissociation, I think it’s important to discuss. One thing that’s often left out is the many nuances when it comes to mental illnesses and sexual activity so today I wanted to touch on dissociation and sex.

I’m going to address two different sub-types of dissociation during sex because I feel like it’s important to address each separately. I would like to say that I am not a survivor of sexual abuse. Although I know people personally who have, and have researched the topic, listened to survivors stories, etc., I can’t speak from personal experience. I do have experience with extreme dissociation due to BPD (a diagnosis unrelated to any past abuse in my case though not most), and this massively affects my sex life so I can speak from that experience. 

1) Dissociating during sex can be related to past sexual abuse

- Firstly, get professional help if you are not already. Contact NAMI or a local nonprofit if you can’t afford therapy, but it is vitally important that you seek the help and healing you deserve

- Consent, consent, consent. It must be vocalized clearly and directly - not simply saying not saying no but saying yes without hesitation without being coerced and without being under the influence of any substance. It is so important no matter who is involved in any sort of physical, sexual act no matter how small kissing for instance without permission is less likely to feel spontaneous and fun if your a survivor of assault and especially if you are a female, and your partner is male there is a practical physical power dynamic at play. Make sure you feel safe and comfortable with a partner (p.s. this still absolutely applies if it’s more casual or a one night stand rather than a longer term romantic relationship)

-  Realize that you can still be turned on during sex if you feel threatened, frightened, panicked, or dissociated. There is no need to feel shame or guilt. You are not “asking” for anything. That’s victim-blaming logic. It is perfectly normal for a penis to remain erect or a vagina to remain wet despite not really wanting to have sex. This is a natural response related to the fight, flight, freeze response. Another reaction would be “friend”. Basically your body recognizing, perceiving, remembering danger will protect itself by following along and conforming to threatening party’s desires and expectations. 

- Talk with partners as much as you are able to. Discuss boundaries and warning signs of dissociation during sex. Ask for your needs.

- Make sure your partners are respectful of you as a person and your experiences. However casual or long-term a sexual relationship is, respect regardless of your race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, disability is absolutely required. 

2) Dissociation as a symptom of another mental illness (when no abuse has occurred, though it probably still applies to abuse survivors too as it all overlaps)

- Get professional help if you at all possibly can. If you can’t, utilize forums and sites such as 7cups.com

- Learn to recognize when you’re dissociating. I have found that I’m absoutely awful at realizing I’m dissociating until after the fact. Start trying to pay attention to triggers and what happens physically to your body when you dissociated

- Inform partners if you feel comfortable and like it would be constructive

- Ask for your needs. I’m re-stating this because it is so so so important. I am honestly the worst at this. For instance, I really struggle with leaving my partner due to my BPD and fear of abandonment. I have recognized that I need to cuddle or do something non-sexual before leaving because I hate leaving immediately after sex. This is a need I am working up the courage to ask for and express. DEAR-MAN is a useful DBT skill for communicating needs to a partner (or anyone for that matter).

- Use grounding techniques and get yourself present again. This can mean simply breathing or noticing/labeling colors in the room or maybe you need to get up and get a glass of water or go for a walk take an intermittently hot then cold shower, etc.. This takes practice and dedication. Involve your partner if that helps/works for you.

- Self-care after the fact. Oftentimes I don’t even notice how dissociative I was until later when I “pop out of it”. It is very easy for me to get ruminating on the issues this symptom is causing, and I sometimes have panic attacks or intense self-loathing manifesting in self-harming behaviors/urges. Be gentle with yourself and practice self-care afterwards to help stabilize and not send yourself either right back into dissociation or into intense emotional pain.

Some links:

General Dissociation/Dissociation Disorders:

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders

https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/dissociative-disorders

More on dissociation and sexual abuse: https://information.pods-online.org.uk/no-sex-please-were-dissociative/

 https://restforresistance.com/zine/dissociating-when-triggered-by-intimacy-a-guide

Coping with dissociation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMzN6Cxnxlg

https://themighty.com/2016/06/self-care-tips-for-dissociation/

DEAR-MAN DBT Skill:

https://www.sunrisertc.com/dear-man/

Grounding Techniques:

http://www.anxietyslayer.com/journal/grounding-technique-for-anxiety-dissociation.html

https://www.beautyafterbruises.org/blog/grounding101

[theherblifeblog]

Women of Cannabiz Tell All at Toronto's LiftExpo

Anyone deeply curious and passionate about cannabis in Canada (and the world) was at Lift & Co.'s Expo May 24-27 in Toronto, and I can tell you: the world hasn't seen anything like this before.

Never in history has a cannabis gathering invited everyone from those wearing Hawaiian shirts and weed paraphernalia to professionals and investors in thousand-dollar suits, and put them smack-dab in a startup culture of excitement and innovation. 

Industry veterans who've been attending for years say they remember when the conference was just a big room that needed a lot of air freshener and saw a lot of Jamaican flags and Bob Marley apparel.

Despite it being my first time at the conference, I was on a mission. Not just to learn, but to explore how and where women were showing up in this industry. I was on the lookout to profile and peek into women's cannabusinesses and the experiences of women working in cannabis. Because we all want to know what it's like, don't we?

We all want to know if the "grass ceiling" is real in this unconventional industry, how to outgrow it, and what it takes.

I gotchu, girl. 

Holly, Marketing Manager at Apollo Applied Research Inc.

Apollo is a medical cannabis research clinic that works with patients to help them understand, source, and consume medical cannabis responsibly through personalized treatments and evidence-based care. Apollo is a strong clinic and research organization with many women in leadership roles (with studies coming out on PTSD , and chronic pain and cannabis).

Why do you think the industry is good for women?

It's innovative by nature, so we have the opportunity to break a bunch of norms: not just those related to cannabis, but gender stereotypes as well. I know a lot of the women in the industry came from other industries and bring their personal, amazing insights to cannabis. We have the opportunity to forge our own path without it being set in stone, so we get to really be autonomous leaders here.

What are you most excited about with Apollo?

One of our research studies (on chronic pain) is in peer-review with a medical journal right now. When that comes out, we'll be able to confidently say X amount of people have been able to reduce the amount of opioids they're on by X amount BECAUSE of medical cannabis and Apollo's methodology. There's a lot of information in the industry, but it's all "may" and "might", so we’re excited to bring a little confirmation to the cannabis table.

Where do you want the industry to be in 5 years?

I'd really like to see the medical and recreational industry separated. Right now everything's very mish-mashed: most people don't even understand the industry in Canada. They don't know that dispensaries are illegal, that you need a prescription to access cannabis, and that the only legal suppliers of cannabis in Canada are Health Canada approved licensed producers.

If you’re looking for cannabis for medical purposes, you wouldn’t go to the OCS, because you wouldn't take medical advice from someone who works at LCBO, right? You're going to want to go to a doctor, get the medical advice you need, and get a personalized treatment plan. 

What advice do you have for women getting into the industry?

Be fearless. I'm a firm believer that most people in the industry are just rolling with the punches and don't always know what they're doing because it's so new. The research and understanding of cannabis is constantly evolving, so you don't have to be the most knowledgeable or skilled. You just have to be curious, eager, adaptable, and passionate.

Brandy, Founder at Queens of Cannabis

Queens of Cannabis is a female-owned and -operated dispensary and delivery service in the GTA, which can also help you get a medical prescription (for free). It serves as a social structure for women who have been disabled or chronically ill and can't find traditional forms of employment, and has fundraisers for Sistering and the 519.

What inspired you to get into cannabis?

I worked for the federal government at the time that I was in a severe car accident, which severely damaged my neck and my spine. I went through the pharmaceutical gambit,  was on eight pills a day, and was literally foaming on the insides and next to death. Finally, I was retired and found relief when I tried cannabis for the first time. It eased the chronic illness in my stomach. When I started taking cannabis exclusively, all the pharmaceutical's negative side effects went away, and my mental sharpness came back. 

I realized I needed to let everyone know that this is actually medication because of the stigma I went through at work. There was no possibility of taking cannabis, especially back in 2008, but this is a healing medicine and I want to help people understand that through my story.

What are you most excited about?

The prospect of craft growers, as well as lounge licensing. 

What concerns you?

More government controls on cannabis than on alcohol. Alcohol kills thousands. My friends have died because of drunk drivers, but I've never lost friends to cannabis. I'm concerned that the government is going to take a harsh stance on it when it's not a harsh product. 

Ann, Founder at Erbanna

Erbanna creates cute accessories (like stash bags or vape cases) that keep your cannabis discrete while still looking fabulous and fashionable. 

How did you get started in cannabis?

I was going to see a comedy show with my friends: we're all professional women in our 50s. We all decided we wanted to imbibe beforehand, and it was ridiculous. We were like teenagers... giggling and laughing... and then everything smelled: the car, our bags. I started to think, "There must be something to help with the smell now that we are starting to legalize.”

So I did a search, but didn't find anything on the internet. Flew to Colorado thinking maybe their stores would have something because they're cutting edge... but still NOTHING.

I thought that if I felt that way, other people must feel that way. There are too many women out there who consume to just leave that on the table.

Then, I started researching how we could make a really pretty bag, (not like a skunk sack which is 100% smell proof), but would have enough liners and zippers that if you have it in your purse or counter, it's not reeking. After that, I just started to create. I then turned to a friend who was familiar with manufacturing and we started. We have no middle men: we're the designers, we're the production, we're the manufacturing, we do it all.

What do you want to see in the industry?

We went from concept to business so quickly, which was incredible, but we wanted to break the current negative stereotypes about the women who consumed. There's so many different types of cannabis consumers: professionals, patients, artists. 

I wanted to create a feel-good product for a feel-good product. You made this choice, you feel good about this choice, so you shouldn't be sneaking around with it. You should integrate it into your life in a way that fits, flatters, and helps you feel good about your choices. Because I felt good about MY choice.

Why do you think this industry is great for women to get into?

We make the majority of the care-taking and medical decisions for our families. Understanding the medical benefits of cannabis is big in making that decision - so it's important for women to be informed. But not only that, as businesswomen: it's a new industry and we can step in and have leadership positions, start a company, and be respected. 

Cannabis has come from this surfer dude mentality to a respected business,  and woman have had and should have a place in that.

Advice for women looking to get in?

There's a lot of really good networking in this industry: more so than I see in any other industry. We do a lot of collaborations. We talk to a lot of people. That sort of social business network is very beneficial here.

Myrna, CEO and Founder at Aqualitas

Aqualitas is a licensed producer from Atlantic Canada, who has a female CEO and majority-female leadership team, cultivates using a green aquaponics system (for less environmental impact), and is one of the few cannabis companies that have National Research Council grants and partnerships with universities. Aqualitas has also won an Innovacorp grant, a CleanTech energy award, and was highlighted by the Washington Institute of Environmental Law as having an excellent, green reputation (in an otherwise energy negative industry). 

Why do you think this industry is great for women?

When you look at this industry, in particular from a medical side, and how many decisions are influenced by women either as consumers or caregivers, you start to see how important it is to have a presence in the industry. We're surprised how few women are in executive level positions. We're very proud to be doing that. 

Also, if you look at women entrepreneurs, you can bring us to the bank even if we can't get the bank. The risk tolerance, how conservative and frugal women are, and how responsible they are with the money they have? Women historically do a lot with a little.

So I think that this is a really great time to be putting those transferable skills into the work we do in cannabis. So whether it's marketing and branding, or product development, or cultivation: you just have to say you're here and ready to learn. There's some amazing women cultivators in this industry who came from horticulture backgrounds. There's opportunities for women in capital and industry and finance and all the other ancillary markets that are popping up.

If you go to the grassroots communities and talk to the women, especially from the dispensary level, or health and beauty or topical products... the majority of the people I've spoken to who’ve had really great insight have been all women.

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I was a disabilities lawyer for most of my career and worked in the vulnerable services sector. I worked with employers and not-for-profit societies that work with people with intellectual, physical disabilities and also vulnerabilities like homelessness, addictions, spousal abuse, child abuse. From the disabilities side, I saw clients who get great benefits from the use of medical cannabis. I was very inspired by that.

And then, I thought it was a really natural extension to go into this industry. I saw it as an opportunity to bring advocacy to the table. 

What are you most excited about?

I see Aqualitas as a real leader on the global stage. We've only had our license since January 2018 and we've had amazing traction in the international market already - Germany and Poland specifically.

When people come into this space and ask, "Which of these are good companies - not just economically, but good values, production standards, ethics, and approach?"

I want Aqualitas to be one of the first three names that come out of anyone's mouth when they talk about cannabis. I want people to say that that's who we are. And we're not a particularly promotional group of people. What I've found is that the best way we've been able to evolve our story is to tell it one person ats a time, exactly as I'm doing it with you right now. 

That's been the best approach for us. We don't have the biggest booth or highest banner, but we're slow and steady and good at the core. 

Sister Kate, Founder at Sisters of the Valley

Sisters of the Valley are a group of self-proclaimed non-denominational nuns that create CBD salves and tinctures as a spiritual organization built for the empowerment of women. The "order" was started by Sister Kate to erase the negative stigma around cannabis and create jobs for women who believe in its' healing powers. Their order grew from Sister Kate's anarchist activism in the Occupy movement (which began with her saying, "If pizza's a vegetable, I'm a nun.") Now, the order has 13 sisters, is operating in 6 countries, and brought in over $1.1M in its’ third year of operations. 

What are you most excited about with the Sisters of the Valley?

Being in Canada and having a growing sisterhood here... because that's where all the grownups live. We have great demand for our product: our big problem is we sell out of everything. Essentially we could go from a a million dollars to $50M if we could just supply it.

Do you have any concerns about the industry?

It concerns me that there's so many people who don't understand that there's non-psychoactive cannabis. It concerns me that regulators are nuts, trying to regulate and tax a plant that they've demonized for 100+ years. It's like suddenly deciding the dandelion plant is heavily taxed - it's insane!

Advice for women?

Just start. Show up. Go to your local 420 club. If you want to learn to grow, hang with the growers. If you want to learn the laws, hang with the lawyers. But there's a 420 activist movement in every place in the planet - and I know that because those are our supporters and they've catapulted us to fame. Without them, nobody would have heard of us. 

I tell women, get connected! Cause that's what I did. And don't be afraid to be that gap between the old black market and the new legal market. 

 Siobhan, CMO at Cannalife

Cannalife Botanicals is a female-owned and -operated health and beauty company that creates whole-plant medicinals and topicals from CBD and THC. 

What got you started in cannabis?

I was disabled in a car accident and spent 10 years being put back together after having been a national athlete: a figure skater. I ended up in a wheelchair. During one of my major surgeries here in Toronto, I was having a really hard time with morphine. My doctor saw that I was in physical and emotional crisis, and asked me if I've ever tried cannabis. That was 25 years ago and I've been a cannabis advocate ever since.

What are you excited about with cannalife?

We make full- spectrum, whole plant medicine that uses plant alchemy: cannabis in collaboration with other amazing plants to get the optimal effect for patients. We're clear about what strain we're using, what our ingredients are, and test all of our products in a lab. I'm excited that we're able to help people with pain management in a really holistic way, and about introducing cannabis to the cannacurious and people who may still be fearful.

I'm also really excited about reducing the stigma of stoners and utilizing our brand to help facilitate the positive use of cannabis in a daily, active lifestyle. We collaborate with Flower & Freedom to put together snowshoeing, yoga, and all sorts of other events with them. It's been great to encourage people to use cannabis in their training and their everyday life.

Advice for women?

Reach out! Don't be scared. There are some amazing communities - my new favourite one to follow is #dopeladies. The more we have women like Miss D, Jamie Shaw, Amanda Siebert, and Barinder Rasode... the more women can stand out and be role models. Saying "I'm a mom, I'm a taxpayer, I'm a pretty helpful citizen in society" helps, because the more we can have open conversations about the true consumers, the better off we'll be.

Don't be shy: I'm talking about sexual health on a regular basis... and if you can't love yourself, how are you supposed to love somebody else?