#bedridden

[wishful-seeker]

I think some people don't realize some of us HAVE to be chronically online unfortunately, especially if we are bedridden or housebound due to illness. Obviously this isn't great for many reasons, and I've definitely fallen into the habit of rotting my brain with 7 second reels or ending up in really petty online arguments because i have nothing else to do. Just try to take care of yourselves, maybe you have to be chronically online, but maybe you can look out a window for a few minutes, or actively not read comments you know will upset you, or maybe make an effort to take a break from watching reels or tiktoks every few hours. Its incredibly difficult to have an occupied life when you're stuck in bed or at home. Personally I've found eating or being on my phone while also outside helps, writing/journaling in the notes on your phone, rewatching a loved tv show instead of interacting on online discourse or watching mind numbing dopamine hit reels over and over. Anyways, i know its difficult and you aren't bad for being chronically online especially when you really don't have much of a choice, just try to be gentle with how you treat yourself and consume media these days. I frequently take breaks from Instagram and tiktok, i think i haven't used them in about 2 weeks right now. Its also helpful to find safe spaces online. I consider tumblr a much more tame and healthier media for myself to consume because there isn't much fighting and just more wholesome random info everywhere. It also helps to text/call friends, reconnect with them online, ect. I hope my fellow chronically online people have a nice internet day.

[marxm0703]

🌕

A poem I wrote after fainting at work and seeing the reactions of those around me. Someone had made an insensitive joke and inspired me to write this. I put a lot of heartache into this so I hope others who ache too can enjoy. I personally think it's some of my best.

-Michael

[chronicallycouchbound]

A Guide for Coming into Disability

Note: While this is meant to serve as a guide for people who are becoming physically disabled and people newly recognizing their existing experiences of disability (including chronic illness), I feel that this guide is helpful for anyone, disabled or abled. No guide is one size fits all, but I hope this can help supplement other resources that exist.

Recognizing Disability

The first aspect of coming into disability is conceptualizing what disability means for you. Some initial questions to consider are:

What is disability?

What does it mean to be disabled?

How do you identify disability in yourself or others?

Only you can define what these mean for yourself, but many definitions and models of disability exist.

Loss & Grief

As you begin to transition into a disabled body, the first sign of that change is often the experience of loss. Loss of ability, access to the world, hobbies, community, loved ones, and your sense of self are just some of the types of loss you might be experiencing. Additionally, when being a part of any marginalized community, you are now not only beginning to experience the trauma of discrimination that you’re personally facing but you are also exposed to a communal trauma of systemic marginalization.

Due to the ableist society we live in, every single person is internalizing ableism. Everything we see on the news, in movies, in classrooms, etc. is absorbed subconsciously to create a personalized narrative of the disabled experience. Weather or not that ableism is externalized doesn’t matter, because if you’re not actively dismantling internalized ableism and practing anti-ableism, then that ableism will hit you much harder when you transition into disability. The work to navigate this is constant, evolving and will change with time.

All of this is very heavy. Always unpacking, always processing, always grieving. But it does get easier to navigate, especially with the proper supports. To cope with this, I highly recommend seeking out appropriate support groups (many are online, Facebook, Discord, The Mighty are some great places to look) and considering grief counseling. Through this, remember to be gentle with yourself, cut off people if you need to, set boundaries, and do what you need to to support yourself and keep yourself safe.

Spoon Theory in Practice

A large portion of my disabled experience is simply just learning. Learning about my body, treatments, my limitations, and what I can still do. This dynamic learning often requires more language to explain complex concepts. This brings us to the spoon theory. If you don’t yet know about spoon theory, here’s the original essay by Christine Miserandino.

Spoon theory works to help explain the energy limitations of chronic illness and has been widely adopted by the greater disabled community. Essentially, it is a metaphor that uses spoons as a metric to showcase energy levels in a tangible form. Over time your spoons will change, different activities might require more or less spoons, and recharging your spoons may also evolve. This is why it’s important to use the concept of spoon theory to help you set boundaries with yourself and others.

For yourself, being able to identify your spoon levels and use them appropriately to ration energy can help you avoid falling into pitfalls like the “Boom-Bust Cycle” and better pace yourself. I put this into practice by creating lists rating activities by spoon levels. I have a master list of meals I can eat, categorized by how many spoons it usually takes to make the meal. This way, I can plan out in advance on low spoon days, like when I have PT, and know I won’t have the energy to cook a meal that takes three spoons to make, I can meal plan for the week and buy what I need for a one spoon meal that day. This can also be applied to things like chores and hobbies. I sort my to-do list by priority, and then by how many spoons it will take to do the activity. Knowing your spoon levels can assist in setting boundaries with others as well. I always have a standing appointment on Tuesdays, so I never make plans that day. I always ask for help with certain chores because even if I physically can get them done, I won’t have spoons for the rest of the day or even the week.

Accepting Disability

In order to cope with the loss of certain activities, finding accessible alternatives can go a long way. You might be able to find an adaptive way to still participate in a hobby, like adaptive basketball. There are also so many options for hobbies in the world, and you might be surprised by what works for you now! This is a good time to start to focus on what you can do, with adaptations, vs what you used to be able to/now can’t do.

Mobility aids are a beautiful tool. My advice is if you think that an aid might help you, you should at least try it! If it ends up not helping, or you don’t need it, you can always donate it. I also like to say (and my physical therapist likes to remind me) Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

And, of course, ask for help before your body demands it.

Disabled Liberation & Disabled Joy

If you have the spoons and time, you should prioritize learning about our history as a community (Crip Camp on Netflix is a great place to start) Additionally, you can learn about disability theory, models of disability, ugly laws, cripple punk movement, and our rights.

Disabled Joy is a concept that considers our joy to be a revolutionary act in and of itself. I use ‘joy’ here, rather than happiness, because while similar, happiness is based in the root word ‘hap’ meaning chance (as in mishap and happenstance), meaning that the experience itself is based in luck and external factors, and focus instead on the sensation associated with it– regardless of your situation, which is joy. Disabled joy looks like my partner sprinting while pushing me down the sidewalk with the wind in my face. It looks like a perfect day in Sims 4. It comes with safe foods and the healing power of accessible plauygrounds. You find it where it comes, and I hope you can find it in yourself.

Finding Community

The best part of the disabled experience, for me, is our thriving community. When it comes to community building, I always suggest online options first because they’re available 24/7 for most people, and you can reach community from your home. I’ve already mentioned online support groups, but also, online content creators are a great way to find community. If your social media following list is primarily able-bodied creators, especially ones who focus on activities that aren’t accessible to you, it can be really damaging to your mental health. This can help you to find friends who get what you're going through.

Self-advocacy and systemic advocacy resources from our peers and organizations can give you the tools and feel empowered to create change. Seeking resources by and for our community can be lifesaving. You’re reading one right now.

Welcome to the community.

♿️❤️ (wheelchair emoji, heart emoji)

[gothhabiba]

do u have any hygiene tips for ppl that have physical disabilities? sometimes showering is a struggle

keep a stash of everything you need in a nightstand, potentially including:

a toothbrush (possibly electric) and safe-to-swallow toothpaste

disposable / re-fillable dental floss picks

perhaps some mouthwash tablets (n.b. I have done no research into what health claims these tend to make)

no-rinse shampoo

no-rinse body wash

a cloth and bottle of water

if you're able to make it to the shower, consider a shower chair.

if you can, wear breathable fabrics such as linen or cotton and change your clothing every day; at least try to change anything that directly touches your skin. this will keep you cleaner for longer.

if you have long hair, keep it in braids or some other protective style so that it doesn't tangle in between washings.

remember that you don't need to do everything all at once. you can wash part of your body now, and another part later; your body now and your hair later; &c.

check out this post about brushing your teeth while lying flat

another post about showering or washing while physically disabled (note that not all of these tips are feasible if you're bedbound)

[vivilingriphyn]

Since I'm bedridden from the recent cosplay competition I've competed in, I drew this since I might as well and i might even make another version where he looks back at viewer with different emotions maybe fondness next, or maybe even sadness, guilt, shock.

idk this makes me wanna brand storm tho i think the only difference would be the 2nd and 3rd panel and the 1st one having only slight changes... Idk, my brain just works its magic when I'm alone and in bed and i love and hate it.

[blackrosesandwhump]

Whumpril Day 19: I Need You

CW: poison whump, sickness, fever whump

Your body is wracked with poison. You lie in a darkened room, delirious and sick, unable to lie still as the effects of whumper’s spell take hold and jerk you between shallow nightmares and fevered wakefulness. You can’t sense much beyond the dim light, terrible pain, and caretaker’s presence.

Caretaker bends over you and drapes a cool cloth over your forehead. For a moment, the cool sinks into your skin, and you feel a degree of relief. But whumper’s poison spell is too powerful and the relief is swallowed instantly. A whimper escapes you.

If only it would stop. If only the poison would stop.

And then, caretaker seems to disappear. Weakly, you manage to raise a desperate, shaking hand.

“Please...don’t leave me…I need you.” The words come out raspy. They don’t sound like your voice at all.

Caretaker appears again, smiling despite their furrowed concern. “I won’t leave you. Don’t worry. I’ll be right here as long as you need me.”

You slip back into a dream with caretaker’s reassurance echoing in your mind, and this time, the dream isn’t quite so bad.

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

I haven't eaten in 2 days because I've been bedridden with a horrible fever (not covid, thank God). I'm starving, but something tells me I probably shouldn't give into my cravings and order a 1200 calorie steak burrito the size of my head with double portions of refried beans and tortilla chips with creamy jalapeño sauce. This would ruin me, I know it, but it's all I can think about...

[longlivethewhump]

Hakuoki : Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Ep 12

[whump-about-it]

Bedridden/ Semiconscious/ Light Sensitivity

@whumpril day 28 

CW: capture, implied torture, implied strangulation, concussion, prescription drugs (administered responsibly), abandoned whumpee, disregarded mental state. 

Caretaker woke up with a start. They hadn’t remembered falling asleep in the first place, but it had been the kind of slumber that had left them wondering where they were and what century it was. It took a few groggy seconds before they were able to recognize that they were lying in a bed in the infirmary, with Medic staring at them from across the room with an eyebrow raised. 

“Bad dream?” Medic asked sounding half amused, half concerned. 

“Did I pass out?” Caretaker ignored Medic’s question and rubbed the rest of the sleep out of their eyes. The lights in the infirmary were too bright. Caretaker had been awake for all of 30 seconds and they were already getting a headache from the harsh they were. Then again their whole body was sore. It felt like they’d been hit by a truck. 

“Only from exhaustion” Medic told them and put down the paperwork they’d been reading when Caretaker woke. “Though you do have a mild concussion. I finished your stitches and you were out like a light. I didn’t even get a chance to give you pain meds. You want any?” 

Right. They remembered the stitches, and the concussion. And last night. Whumper. The rescue.

“Whumpee!” Caretaker swung their legs over the edge of the bed in a sudden panic. The overly bright lights and their body pains temporarily forgotten. The panic was partially quelled though when they immediately saw Whumpee lying in the bed next to them. 

They didn’t look good by any stretch. Their entire face seemed to be one big bruise. One of their arms were in a sling, and the other was heavily bandaged from shoulder to wrist. There were shallow cuts on their neck, poking out from under a bandage Caretaker knew was covering a ligature mark. They had been with Whumper for less than a week, but they looked like they’d lost a significant amount of weight. And the very little unbruised skin they could see was pale and waxy. 

Whumpee did however, look alive. Caretaker could see their chest rise and fall as they breathed and a screen next their bed showed a steady heartbeat. 

“They’re still stable” Medic reassured Caretaker as they stood up painfully (one of their own injuries included a twisted ankle) and hobbled over to Whumpee’s side. 

“They haven’t woken up at all yet. But vitals have been regular and there’s no internal bleeding. They’re going to make a full recovery” Medic nudged Caretaker and held out a glass of water and few painkillers for them to take. Caretaker nodded absently and finished examining Whumpee before stumbling back to their own bed and taking the things from Medic. 

“Physically maybe” They mumbled. Medic hadn’t been there. They could see Whumpee’s injuries. But they hadn’t seen where they’d been kept. What Whumpee had been through. Or how Caretaker had had to beg them trust them to come with.

“Well, yeah. But that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get to it.” 

Medic watched Caretaker take the pain medication and then took the glass back from them before speaking again. 

“Team Leader came in while you were asleep. They wanted me to tell you, that they’re going to skin you alive for going alone without their authorization, and to go give them a debrief as soon as you’re conscious again.” 

Caretaker groaned. They knew they had gone against Team Leader. Sneaking out to go rescue Whumpee. But all things considered they felt justified, and they weren’t in the mood for a tongue lashing about it. 

“In that case, I’m still asleep until further notice.” 

Medic hummed their understanding and went back to their paperwork. 

“You can’t hide here forever” They said nonchalantly.  

“I know, just give me some time to figure out how to nicely tell Team Leader “I told you so”“ 

“You act like you know Whumper.” 

“Nah,” Caretaker shrugged squeezing their eyes tightly closed. The lights really were bright. “But I know their type. Sadistic assholes, who have a grudge against the world, and need to feel powerful in anyway possible.” 

Medic looked up from their paperwork. Their eyebrow raised again. 

“I’m not about to unlock another tragic back story am I? I get enough of that between Whumpee and Team Leader.” 

Caretaker smirked and shook their head. 

“Nothing you don’t already know” They assured them “I used to be one of the bad guys, remember?”

“Hmm” Medic hummed then noticing Caretaker’s discomfort with the lights, reached out and dimmed them ever so slightly. Caretaker sighed in relief and opened their eyes again. 

The whole team generally ignored that specific part of Caretaker’s background. Normally they were thankful for it, but in certain situations, Whumpee being captured having been one of them, Caretaker would have been appreciated their expertise being taken into account. In this situation, they had known Whumper wasn’t merely going to hold Whumpee hostage. And the longer the team sat around trying to come up with a plan to rescue them, the slimmer their opportunity became. 

Caretaker and Medic were pulled from their individual thoughts when a strange mumbling noise came from Whumpee’s bed. They were both on their feet within seconds, crowding around Whumpee’s as they finally stirred after hours of complete motionlessness. 

“Caretaker?” Whumpee mumbled in a weak, breathy voice. Their eyes cracked open a bit, but it was clear they weren’t really seeing anything. 

“Yeah, Whumpee I’m right here.” Caretaker said trying to sound soothing. “What do you need?” 

Whumpee turned their head half way towards Caretaker, clearly trying to focus on them. Caretaker and Medic waited with baited breathe for Whumpee to try and speak again. However, instead of doing that, Whumpee suddenly sat up much in the way Caretaker had when they first woke up and started making a weak but obvious effort to get out of bed. The screen next to them began to show their heartrate rising rapidly. 

“No, no, no, no, no” Caretaker and Medic both began to say in near unison. Reaching out their hands to grab at Whumpee and force them back down as gently as possible. 

“Stay in bed Whumpee.” Caretaker insisted “don’t try to get up.” 

Whumpee fell back against their pillows heavily and almost relieved, but seemed confused in their semiconscious state. 

“But-” They breathed “You said we had to go” 

“Yeah,” Caretaker told them “But we did already. You’re safe now. But you need to stay in bed. Okay?”

Whumpee nodded, and their half lidded eyes slid the rest of the way closed. They reached out their better arm and tried to grab at Caretaker with almost no strength. Caretaker took Whumpee’s hand in their own and stroked the top of their head with their other. 

“Why?” Whumpee slurred after a moment. 

“Because it will make you better faster” 

Whumpee shook their head, but they seemed like they were loosing consciousness again. 

“Why... didn’t team come.” they slurred “Why... did they... leave me there?” 

With that Whumpee fell completely limp back into their pillows, slipping back into unconsciousness once again. 

Caretaker continued to hold Whumpee’s limp hand as they and Medic watched the heartrate display on the screen go back to a normal rate. The two then looked at each other. Medic’s eyes were wide, their usual snarky expression absent. Caretaker however pursed their lips with contempt. 

“Well, Medic” They said flatly. “Here’s the bridge.” 

[starrspice]

I am VERY curious to whether Sun and Moon know that y/n is dying! Like even if they know they're training them they could guess it's not something that will be relevant until years down the line.

Also oooouch. Even if y/n is just really trying to find a meaning to what is left to their life, well, they still have to go throught the er, dying, phase. They might have come to terms with it but I can imagine whatever they choose, it's still gonna be terrifying as the dreaded day gets closer. Old doubts (that aren't so old) and pain from the end of their previous relationship arising once again. Not to mention the progress of the illness itself! Though they might get comfort, knowing that someone will be waiting for them once it's done.

Excited to see what you have planned!

Sun and Moon don't know at first. Not surprising since Y/N hasn't even told their friends and family

Honestly the majority of the AU in my head takes place over the course of the last year and a half of Y/Ns life

The illness doesn't make them completely bedridden but they certainly have bad days where they struggle to get out of bed

Some days are good. Some days aren't. Eclipse is well aware and is more than willing to give Y/N any Leeway they need to rest

Sun and Moon probably find out after Sun gets mad that it seems Y/N is slacking off (probably after they had a fight of some sorts) and he storms into Y/N's house to find a very sick Y/N

Up until thay point Sun and Moon didn't know and didn't realize it was training. They genuinely thoguht it was holding a human accountable for a VERY humongous screw up

That's probably when it all clicks for them. And it HURTS ough it hurts them in a way they've never hurt before

It brings bad that pain

That sense of dread and mourning from when they were human

And it HURTS

[whumpster-dumpster]

Whumpee who's bedridden, left alone by Caretaker for too long. They're starving but they aren't able to get up and they don't want to be any more of a burden than they already are so they just...wait and go hungry until Caretaker eventually returns

[wishful-seeker]

Nvm ketamine is the best

Today i

1. Made homemade Pico de gallo

2. Went to the park

3. Walked around a lot at the park harvesting native wild plants and digging some up to take home (I took a very small amount dw)

4. Swung on swings

5. Went home and planted the plants and had to pull up grass by hand because it's a very tough kind of grass I couldn't get with the shovel.

6. Played minecraft with a friend for a few hours.

Normally I wouldn't be able to do any of these, without ketamine I couldn't have done any of these things, ever. Not just on bad days. No, not being able to do any of these things was my normal. Today I spent hours out of bed, thats unheard of for me.

[chronicallycouchbound]

There was several years of my life where I was on strict doctors orders to be on bedrest and I didn’t have a bed to be in because I was homeless.

Every night I’ve had a bed, ever since I was a young child, I have always said a silent “thank you” to it before I sleep.

I’ve also said that same thank you to overpasses and bridges, park benches, couches, floors, car seats, the half crumbled foundation of that building I could fit under, trees, snow, ice, green grass, tents, my jacket, my backpack, my friend’s lap, hospital beds, waiting rooms, empty church pews, abandoned buildings, behind stores, alleyways, half flooded basements, bus seats, bus shelters, steps of a homeless shelter, steps of a church.

I’ve slept in so many uncomfortable places and still was grateful. And at the same time, I knew I needed a better situation to get true rest.

When I became seriously ill in 2017, I couldn’t rest. Even when I got an apartment in 2019, I was still in an unsafe environment, still having ER visits every other week. It wasn’t until I got a bed and in home care that I stopped having nearly daily life threatening symptoms and could give my body a break.

I still have life threatening symptoms, I still have bad days, but now at least I can rest in between everything. And for that I am so grateful.

[succubus-interactivefiction]

Quick update. Went in for surgery, it all went good according to the Dr's. Will still be contained to bed for a few weeks. Managed to get my tablet though, so I can do some editing while I'm down for the count.

[blackrosesandwhump]

March of Pain Day 11: Sick

CW: royal whumpee, nightmares, delirium, sickness

Through the haze of delirium, the prince sees things. A large, dim room. Faces hovering near him. Glass on his bedside table, reflecting the light filtering through the heavy, drawn curtains. He feels things too: a cool hand on his hot forehead. Burning heat, followed by freezing cold. Dampness suffocating his body.

He can’t tell what’s real and what belongs to the distorted visions of his fevered mind.

And then he sees something else: another face, a familiar one, one that makes him struggle to get away. An evil face.

He thrashes in his bed, whimpering, fighting to escape the looming presence that overshadows his dreams.

“Please, no…get away from me…” he mumbles, struggling against the attendant who rushes to his side.

“Your highness…highness, it’s me, let me take care of you—”

“I said get away!” the prince growls. He sits bolt upright, eyes staring and wild, and shoves the attendant to the ground with clumsy force.

He must still be dreaming. The evil face is looking back at him, shocked, from the floor next to his bed.

And then the wildness leaves him and he slumps back into the damp pillows. A moment later, the throes of his illness claim him once again. His dreams bring horror.

@marchofpain

[sickntiredofbensickntired]

wanna join a chronic illness/ bedridden/ housebound group NOT filled with stupid bible nonsense?

*if you are just PARTIALLY bedridden/ housebound you can still join*

on facebook:

Homebound Bedridden and Bored / chronic illness- no religious nonsense