#chronically ill hack

[chronic-lee-lizard]

Here are some filling foods for when you feel nauseous or not wanting to eat!!!

Eggs

Greek yogurt

Rice

Cottage cheese

Pastas (always a good option)

Chicken (maybe a plain rotisserie if you are needing something not overwhelming)

Potatoes, especially mashed

Soups, the broth helps :))

Overall anything protein-rich will help you feel full quicker. I know on nights when I’m feeling super nauseous but I know if I don’t eat it’ll get worse these foods have saved me lol.

[egcalledgari]

I feel like a fucking genius.

my health has been really shit lately and I have a hard time getting out of my bed because of bad symptoms and fatigue so my pc hasn't been used in months because its just too much energy to get to my desk. but yesterday I was feeling better than usual and decided to move some stuff around in my room so now my desk is right up against my bed and I can use my pc without having to get up! I also moved one of my small shelves near the foot of my bed and put a lot of my craft supplies, drawing stuff, meds and a couple books on it!

I finally have my games back!! and more options for what I can do outside of just watch YouTube all day! now at least I wont be as bored all the time even if I can't go on walks to entertain myself like I used to

[jadedbirch]

State Disability Life Hack

If you or your loved ones have ever been on state disability, then you probably know that communicating with them feels like screaming into the void, while banging your head against rock at the same time. I live in California, but I suspect these problems are pretty endemic regardless of which state you live in. The bureaucracy inherent in the system is so thick, that the slightest deviation from the norm in any of your answers to their regular follow up questions, will inevitably result in your payments being indefinitely delayed. This has happened to me twice in 6 months. In trying to resolve this issue, I once spent an entire day trying to call CA's SDI (State Disability Insurance) office. I called thirsty-six (36) times and never even so much as got in the queue to speak to an agent. In the meantime, I haven't been paid in 6 weeks (that's 3 payment cycles), but whatever - it's not like we need this money to live! It's incredibly frustrating that a system that's intended to support people with disability so that they can (ideally) get better and get back to work is designed so poorly that instead it causes disabled folks undue stress and illness complications. Because if you're disabled, chances are you don't have the spoons to go deal with this nonsense in person, or even spend all day trying to get through to a person on the phone.

So, what do you do? You contact your local State Assembly person. They all have a process called filing a legislative request which requires your local disability office to respond to them with an update on your case within a short time. And because they're technically the bosses of your local SDI, it'll move things forward for you. I contacted my State Assemblyman's office twice and each time SDI reached out to me the very next day and paid me right away (always without any explanation about why there was a delay in the first place). In fact, my Assemblyman's website has a special portal to request help resolving issues with the department of unemployment and disability - because this is such a common issue. Most people don't know you can get this kind of help - but now you do! So if you ever need help dealing with your disability/unemployment office, go straight to your Assembly member's website, because your taxes are paying their salaries.

P.S. I also had no idea who my Assembly person was, but I Googled it, like the genius that I am 😂

[anthroamazed]

tips for stem majors in math and science courses (spoonie + neurodivergent friendly)

hi y’all! my nameis lila and i’m a 28 year old physics and anthropology major who’s about 2 years through college (in the US)! as we’re coming up on the start of the fall ‘23 college semester, i thought i might share some really solid hacks for fellow STEM students taking science and/or math courses that i’ve basically built my college academic career on. and! these study tips are spoonie and adhd friendly! as a matter of fact, a lot of these are tips/methods that specifically work for me as a neurodivergent spoonie (i have pretty severe adhd, as well as POTS and ME/CFS), but that i think non-disabled/non-spoonie and/or neurotypical students could also benefit from using! so with out any further ado, here are my 7 tried and true study hacks for college math and science classes…

1) discover your learning style and tailor your studying towards leveraging it.

you’ve probably heard of visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning styles, but did you now there’s actually way more learning styles than just those three? i’m personally a “social learner,” meaning i learn best through discussion and socialization with 1+ other people to interact with. this could look like teaching other classmates concepts and methods that we’ve learned or discussing ideas with classmates and/or professors until i fully understand the concepts at play and how they connect and can reflect them in performing analysis and application, etc. honestly, figuring out my learning style was hands down one of the most helpful things i’ve done in college. it has allowed me to choose professors who i will mesh better with in terms of how they teach, as well as to adapt materials and methods to my style of learning in order to master them quicker and more effectively.

2) rewrite your notes after lecture, for the love of god.

this tip actually comes from my high school IB Math HL teacher, who told me to do this when i originally left high school for college. even if you think you’ve mastered the basics of the topic covered during the lecture, rewriting those notes after lecture helps really hammer in the knowledge that you’ve already established and also helps to get the wheels turning on pieces of information you might have less of a grasp on. try tp set aside at least 30 - 40 minutes after class to just rewrite your notes and try to really digest the information.

3) body doubling is one of the most beneficial things ever to be invented even if you’re not adhd, and i WILL die on that hill, thank you very much.

“body doubling” or “having an accountabilibuddy” are interchangeable terms in the adhd community that mean you have one or more consistent study buddy/buddies who you do all the homework and/or studying with in person on a regular basis, even if you’re just working next to each other in total silence. this does a couple of things. first off, it forces homework/assignments/studying to become a concrete social obligation you need to regularly show up for, rather than a nebulous obligation based on an invisible deadline. second off, it gives you 1+ partners to work out your problems concerning course topics with. third off, it allows you to build a network of peers where you feel comfortable helping each other with course material (this is especially great because it’s likely you and your classmates have different strengths regarding course content). tbh, body doubling is the other method that i, personally, have found most useful in college and i highly recommend trying it, even if you don’t have adhd.

4) teach others/your classmates the analysis and application methods you’ve learned, even if those methods aren’t 100% solidified for you (trust me on this).

the goal of stem courses is never memorization, but rather being able to understand a topic well enough to analyze a similar situation and apply the what you’ve learned creatively. this is where teaching others comes in. in order to teach others a concept and its related analysis and application well, you have to have at least a fraction of a decent understanding of these things yourself, and, further, often time in teaching these things you also learn to grasp the concepts/aanalysis/applications even better than you did before with each new teaching session. basically: teaching others is a creative way of also teaching yourself. you get the benefits of repetition, of thinking about a concept/technique/analysis and application in a new way, and of getting to apply the concept/technique/analysis and applicatioin to a new scenario each time. plus, you’ll typically make friends quickly in the process! there’s really no downside to this tip imo ;-)

5) utilize your college’s tutoring center/program(s), even when you don’t think you need to.

usually colleges have either set up a general “tutoring center,” on campus where you can find tutors for all different kinds of topics and courses available during regular hours for walk-in sessions and/or appointments free of charge or departments will hold regular weekly (or twice weekly) free on-campus tutoring sessions for specific courses. regardless of which of these options your college has, i highly recommend attending at least one tutoring session/appointment (ideally with the same tutor if/when you eventually find one you click with) every single week, even when you don’t feel like you’re struggling with the topic(s) covered in that week’s lecture. this will help you review topics and techniques covered in lecture, deepen your understanding of them, and, if nothing else, it’s an excuse to get homework out of the way while having someone else there who can help you if/when you get stuck. attending at least one session weekly also helps you get into a habit and routine of keeping up with your assignments, so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute before they’re due.

6) if you have accommodations, request access to record lectures. if you do not have accommodations, ask your professor if you are allowed to record lectures. IF YOU RECORD LECTURES, DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW THEM!

okay, so first up for my fellow spoonies and neurodivergent peeps: when you apply for/renew your accommodations, make sure that “recordinng lectures” is on your MOA (memorandum of accommodations), because so long as it is, your professors legally cannot deny you permission to record lectures without risk of themself and the college being sued for an ADA violation. also, make friends with a classmate and ask them to record lectures and send them to you if/when you are absent (let the professor know that you’ve asked this classmate to record and send you the lecture if you are absent)

now, if you aren’t disabled, a spoonie, and/or neurodivergent, you aren’t guaranteed permission to record lectures. however. ask the professor if you can have their permission to audio record lectures (be sure to also let them know that such a recording would be for personal use only and that you don’t plan on distributing the recordings). i’ve found that many professors don’t mind you having an audio recording.

even if you aren’t an audible learner it can be really useful to have these recordings to review at a later point. oftentimes reviewing lecture recordings can be useful if you glazed over and missed a section of the lecture and/or if you can’t remember what a professor taught during a section of a lecture.

7) last but not least, on a related note, if you have accommodations, also request access to your professor’s lecture notes. if you don’t have accommodations, check if your professor posts their lecture notes for students to use.

having your professor’s notes can be extremely useful for review purposes, but they can also help you understand where your professor is going with course content and what they want to stress as important.

[frailfemme]

Cleaned the bathroom today!

I cannot recommend a power scrubber that has an adjustable-reach handle enough to my fellow spoonies. I got the tub so clean and I just feel like I… I don’t know, folded some laundry?

Mine looks like this, if you aren’t sure what kind of tool I’m talking about:

The handle is rechargeable and it just spins the brush head really fast so you can scrub your floors, tub, and shower without having to get on your hands and knees! (You can make a handheld one by getting a brush head and mounting it to a screw-bit and using a screwdriver as the motor, but this kind of gadget lets you reach things more easily.)

[rosesandthorns44]

Why did nobody ever tell me that one can rip the godforsaken push-and-turn cap off of pill bottles, and there is a perfectly functional, easy to open cap underneath???

What sorcery is this?!?!

Who knew about this and didn't tell the rest of us???

[thewanderingemporium]

Brain fog and organisation: spoonie friendly tips

Brain fog is, I would argue, a rather common occurrence for us spoonies, particularly those with chronic pain conditions. It also sucks.

For me, I find it is like trying to think through mud. My thoughts are slow, my eyes gritty, my mind barely clicking over.

This makes life rather difficult – especially when you’re trying to handle many things at once, alongside your chronic illness.

After all, how are you supposed to keep on track of things, when remembering whether you have eaten - or what you were doing this morning – feels like too much?

Here are a few simple ways to stay organised as a spoonie – without using up too many spoons.

TIP ONE – Have a physical diary that sits open on your desk (or a wall calendar)

Keeping a physical diary open in a visible spot – like a desk or bedside table – makes it easier to check appointments and plans at a glance.

You could also use a monthly calendar – but I would argue that a diary gives you more space to keep a record of key things each day.

TIP TWO – colour coding events

Sometimes our brains are so tired that it will muddle or miss things that aren’t obvious. Colour coding events either in a diary or calendar (and sticking with that colour scheme) will let your brain quickly pick up on what is happening each day, even if you need to read the specifics later.

For example:

Health = Orange

University = Yellow

General = Green

Pick colours that work for you, but make sure that they’re distinct enough that you won’t mix them up.

TIP 3 – to do lists

I know I would be lost without my trusty to do list. By having a list, it means that you don’t have to try and remember things when you are tired or struggling.

I would add here that while a physical to do list is nice – it can be very easy to lose *glances guilty around my room ignoring the probably hundred or so missing to do lists in here somewhere.*

A good alternative would be a digital to do list that you can use on your mobile/tablet. You can use google calendar (which has a to-do list function), or Notion (which lets you create tick boxes so you still get that satisfaction of ticking an item off your list).

There are also a lot of other free apps – but these are the two that I use the most. I personally use Notion for keeping track of bigger projects, creative ideas, and reminders – it’s a great way to keep things organised without relying on memory.

Overall, I would say the biggest thing to keeping organised as a spoonie is writing things down and keeping them in an obvious place where you can see them.

That way you aren’t trying to force your brain to remember lots of little tasks when it is already exhausted from managing your health.

Take care, sending spoonie hugs

[articabyss77]

Take your meds with a shot glass, more fun that way.

I struggle with my mental health and found this makes taking my meds less depressing and a little fun to do, plus helps me remember, too. Love ya🖤

[spookietrex]

Had a cardiology appointment this morning because my heart decided I'm running marathons again. My physical therapist kept telling me she was going to discontinue my sessions after our next one because she was "sure" I could do the CHOPS protocol on my own. As a person with fibromyalgia, POTS, EDS, PTSD, and dissociative tendencies, I don't think that's the best idea because i don't remember all the exercises. My cardiologist agreed and told me I can have as much physical therapy as I want.

[amethystsoda]

For people with low energy or spoons/can’t stand up long to hand wash dishes/etc but have a dishwasher, let me put you onto these—

[Photo ID: a bag of Cascade Platinum Plus dishwasher actionpacs. End ID]

If you’re like me and end up with dishes accidentally left bc you can’t deal with em yet (and stuck on food 😅😅😅) these babies have special enzymes that will eat it ALL.

Get a pair of vinyl dish gloves, put all the nasty dishes in unwashed, and pop this dish pac in AND IT WORKS. All the gross food gone.

It’s been such a lifesaver when I’m looking at dish mountain and want to cry 😭

[demonicallyslaying]

i find chocolate helps really well with nausea so do what you will with this information

[spoons-on-empty]

this is your annual reminder that if a doctor refuses to do testing we say "can you make a note in my chart that I requested this test and you refused?" in my experience this has a 100% success rate because they know that if it's on paper they said no and you die of preventable causes they're getting sued big time. they pretty much always give you the test

[enbysaurus-rex]

So maybe life is hard sometimes

and it would be nice if it were easier. It might not be any one thing, but maybe there are a lot of little problems that add up or thinks that are just exhausting? Disability/executive dysfunction/life/burnout maybe has you down, that’s all, and you know you can make your space yours to make it better, but what does that mean???

An incomplete list in no particular order about the Weird Shit I do to make my life less fucking exhausting, sometimes. I’m a certified adult, I promise.

More garbage cans! Put them everywhere! Next to your bed and your chair and your couch and both ends of your counter and your litter boxes and-

Hair ties, everywhere! If you have tie-back-able hair! Brushes, maybe, or combs! I keep them in my desk and in my kitchen and my bathroom and my car and my floor (I have cats) and my trunk and my bag and-

Toothbrushes and toothpaste! Gum! Those weird little single use toothbrush fuckers! Everywhere! I keep a toothbrush and kids toothpaste in my car cup holder! I brushed my teeth at 3pm while running an errand for my boss! I use kids toothpaste bc my hands hate me and it’s easier to squeeze! Big packs at the dollar store for the toothbrushes, and you can get cheap toothpaste! Hell, even if you just use the brush it’s better than nothing!! I keep another set in my shower and in my kitchen and in my bag

Loads of chairs! Seating! Everywhere! Stools in the kitchen, chairs by your vanity, shower chairs, literally??? There’s no law that says you have to stand up??? Sit on the goddamn floor if you’ve been standing in line for too long? I do it all the time? Live your best life!

Pre-chopped/cooked/peeled/whatevered food!! Whatever makes food edible for you, fckn do that! No need for extra steps! I throw a handful of craisins in my jar of peanut butter and then eat them out of the jar with a plastic spoon! There’s a food truck out there where they get worried if I don’t show up every day! I eat beans straight out of the jar if I’m not up to cooking! (I like cooking and I love my slow cooker but??? If you’re not up to it? Who gives a shit??? Get you some minute rice and some beans and microwave that shit!)

Disposable! Dishes! Fuck! Throw them away! Dishes are the WORST?? Buy some plastic bowls and some utensils and just!!! Yeet em!!! (Meal prep containers are great if u can bc you can keep reusing them if u want but u don’t have to? You can put them in the fridge if you don’t finish, take it to lunch the next day, rinse, repeat!)

Changing clothes totally depends on your work wardrobe? But fckn sleep in the next days clothes if you have to/can? Or sleep in some of it and leave the rest laid out next to you? Sometimes getting all the way dressed and undressed is too goddamn much?? Fuck knows I can’t!

Cleaning!! Clorox wipes are the love of my life and I would kill for them! Leave a box of those fucks everywhere! Esp the back of the toilet, where you bathe, and near where you meal prep, cuz that’s where you’re gonna have Waiting Time! Which means your bored little gremlin hands could clean!

Put things close to the floor if u gotta! I used to keep all my appliances (my slow cooker, my microwave, tea kettle, etc) on the floor bc I was too tired to stand up very often? So I propped myself up on walls and did my veggie chopping on the floor

If u gotta crawl, crawl. Butt scooch? Do that. Lean on walls, hang onto counters, do whatever. I’m usually dragging myself around the apartment like a shitty legless zombie extra and my cats love it. Maybe put extra pillows around for yourself if you’re a spontaneous napper

If keeping food fresh/using food before it goes bad is hard, buy frozen or canned or eat out. I sure as hell have no idea when the things in my fridge got there, and I’m lucky I’ve only gotten food poisoning like once that way lol, so just?? Yeah

Medicine bottles can come with easy open caps! You have to promise there aren’t kids in the house, but if u ever have grip strength issues or even if it’s a reason you sometimes don’t take your meds (CVS bottles, I’m looking at you), just ask your pharmacist to switch them out. They’ll do it so fast!

Charge cords everywhere! None of that ‘idk where I put my cord 😭’ shit cuz I have like? So many? All of them cheap? But they do the job

Please add more if you have them? These are ones I can think of from bed because someone reminded me that I Do Things Like This Now and it might be useful to someone

[positivelyqueer]

Have difficulty cutting solid vegetables like pumpkin or potatoes or carrots? Roast then whole first! Boiling the smaller vegetables would also work but I like roasting because I can walk away from the oven for the forty or so minutes it takes to cook. Much much easier to chop up afterwards. I use technique to make soup but could be good for roast veggies, mash or other recipes. Enjoy!

[dionysus-is-my-dude]

self-care tip:

if you need to lie down after a shower, put on a face mask or hair mask, put on a guided meditation video, and lie down and chill until you're feeling better

[fictionaltrvlr]

Idk which one of you crafty goblins needs to hear this, but you can use a hair straightener on your small sewing projects instead of an iron.

It’s faster, lighter, and waaaay more portable