#mobile malfunction barbie

[subatomicskud]

Barbie movie was so fucking good but since I turned my phone off for the cinema on Friday night it hasn't switched back on so BARBIE CURSE

[silver-stargazing]

Everyone is rightfully celebrating the appearances of Barbies using mobility aids and prosthetics in the Barbie film but I've got to say: I really love that the movie can be read as a woman having a later-in-life disability and ultimately embracing the changes that come with having a disability.

As the film progresses, Stereotypical Barbie loses control over her legs and feet, develops cellulite (a common sign of aging, something which, under some models of disability, is considered a disability), and begins to experience intrusive thoughts as well as anxiety and depression, all common invisible disabilities.

When consulting Doctor Barbie and her friends, they all say she's malfunctioning and encourage her to get help which, speaking as someone with epilepsy, I can't count the number of times professional medical doctors have called my body "malfunctioning". Like a worn down piece of computer hardware.

When seeking outside help, she finds a tight-knit commune of other "malfunctioning" Barbies which includes:

Weird Barbie, who has a leg-control disability and constantly has to find places to lean against for support

Video Girl Barbie, whose physical appearance is considered unsettling to the other Barbies

Teen Talk Barbie, probably the most famous Barbie doll with a voice but almost completely mute during the film

Weird Barbie also encourages her to get help but not for the societal conformity reasons that the other Barbies had. She wants Stereotypical Barbie to get help because having intrusive thoughts of death is not healthy and she genuinely cares about her well-being (even though she previously called her "weird" both behind her back and to her face). 

While the starting point of her journey may have been to find a cure to her disabilities, by the end of the film, Stereotypical Barbie is able to accept the changes to her body by rejecting the perfect plastic body and fully committing to an inherently flawed human body.

I just dig the heck out of her storyline and how it shows how other disabled people can support each other on their paths of self-discovery.

[insipid-drivel]

Getting a new wheelchair! The XTSO M4

If you're wondering what model of power chair this is, it's this in the readmore:

Here's the website.

Here's my family friend's website with even more variety and options.

I'm brand new to wheelchairs and power chairs, but have recently invested in this one as my mobility has been an increasing issue as I'm getting older. A family friend of mine has MS and owns a wheelchair and powerchair company, and just recently went to a floor-show of new models in Miami, FL, and emailed me back with the XSTO M4 as a recommendation for my first chair.

These chairs are expensive. They may not be affordable for you. I'm only getting one because I know a guy who sells them and he's willing to help me out when it comes to the financials. However, if you're curious, shopping, or interested to know what kind of new tech is starting to be incorporated into electric wheelchairs, here are some product deets about the M4:

Comes with an automatic balance system, which balances out the seat even when I'm going uphill. This prevents the "I'm going to fall and hit my head" sensation if a slope is steep.

Can clear vertical obstacles of up to 2" vertically or 6" horizontally (such as rolling over grass between paving stones) , so if a city's infrastructure sucks for chair-bound people, I can at least brute-force to a sidewalk or park when necessary.

Can handle slopes of up to 15°

Breathable back and memory foam seat for no more Ass Sweat Prints on warm days.

Designed not to slip or skid on slippery surfaces or going up or downhill

Self-adjusts the seat to stay level even when on a slope so I don't tip over or fall off the chair. Also has a safety-wheel in the back so it can't be tipped backwards, either.

Travels up to 11 miles on a single charge

Has both "casual" (indoor) and "off-road" settings.

Can adjust the seat up or down up to 8" to Reach Things Better or Be More Visible To Traffic.

Has no rear handles for assholes to grab and try to move me around without permission.

Comes with an app (ugh I know) that makes my phone make an alert noise when the battery is low or a part or component is malfunctioning, gives me the ability to remotely control it to wheel it closer to me if it's out of reach and I can't walk to it (honestly a selling point for me; I never know when I'll have Bad Issues and need extra help), switch its modes from casual to sport mode, and make it fold/unfold for space.

Breaks into 3 separate parts for easier storage in the back of a car.

Goes up to ~4mph, which isn't bad for me, since my normal mph at home without a chair is 0.

Has a tight 32" turning radius courtesy of the front tires, making it good for moving around indoors too.

Seat reclines and has a small leg-rest for if I want to lean back.

The manufacturer recycles parts, so if something like the battery needs replacing, I can send the old part in and receive a new, replacement part for free.

Almost every feature covered by the app is also available on the LCD readout beside the joystick, so I don't need to use the app if I don't want to.

It doesn't look like I stole it from a retirement home or a WalMart.

[fly-chicken]

Barbie Zodiacs!

Hi Barbies, Kens, Allans, and Humans!

Thanks to them.us we now know zodiac signs for the residents of Barbieland in the movie! To make it easy for us tumblerinas I’m gonna post em all here but the link at the bottom too!

Spoilers for Barbie movie under cut, tho I tried to get the most spoiler free pieces of the article for the little Barbie blurbs. You’ve been formally warned. (Also not an exhaustive list, sorry if your fav isn’t on here!)

Aries: Ken (Ncuti Gatwa)

Gatwa’s Ken is a great encapsulation of Aries, bold and passionate, who thrive on challenges, but are ultimately driven by their hearts.

Taurus: Doctor Barbie (Hari Nef)

Like any good doctor, Nef shows these Earth signs are reliable and down to earth, and they’ve got your back

Gemini: Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon)

Geminis are pros at navigating change and transformation, making Weird Barbie the perfect character for Stereotypical Barbie to turn to when she starts malfunctioning

Cancer: Lawyer Barbie (Sharon Rooney)

“I have no difficulty holding both logic and feeling at the same time,” Rooney’s Lawyer Barbie declares at the start of the film. “And it does not diminish my powers. It expands them.” This statement beautifully sums up Cancers, water signs known for their sensitivity and intuition.

Leo: Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie)

These fire signs are self-assured natural leaders who are passionate about life

Virgo: President Barbie (Issa Rae)

If you want something to get done, call a Virgo. Like Rae’s President Barbie, these Earth signs are hardworking perfectionists who aren’t afraid to call you on your shit

Libra: Author Barbie (Alexandra Shipp)

Author Barbie, played with warmth and effortless charisma by Alexandra Shipp; key traits of Libras, air signs whose charm and wit help them get along with everyone… even if they sometimes dread conflict

Scorpio: Ken (Kingsley Ben-Adir)

A stoic, assertive leader…the best-case scenario for Scorpios, who can be moody and secretive at other moments

Sagittarius: Ken (Simu Liu)

As Gosling’s Ken’s number one rival, Liu’s Ken isn’t afraid to stir things up with some brutal honesty — typical fire sign behavior! Sagittarius is a mutable sign, meaning that even if Sagittarians might engage in some light-hearted clownery from time to time, they’re ultimately flexible people

Capricorn: Pulitzer Prize Winner Barbie (Rita Arya)

“I worked very hard, so I deserve it.” Capricorns channel that energy to a tee. Often characterized as workaholics, they have big goals and discipline to match them.

(Pt 2 and link w reblog, sorry Tumblr mobile is dumb)

[maryellencarter]

looooooook lookit lookit lookit

everything is so tidy and clean

if anyone is interested and i turn out to have the mobility spoons available, i could do a series of posts where i go all like those magazine spreads about How To Get The Look, except it would be things like "toy hammock. crocheted freehand out of 'big twist twinkle' yarn from joann's that i had lying around. attached to wall with clear pushpins and one small command brand sticky hook in the corner. toys shown, l to r: plushie zaeed massani doll made by @nenya-kanadka with design collaboration by me. american girl doll addy walker, wearing springfield collection dress and shoes from joann's. curvy made to move barbie doll, yoga edition from target, wearing a doctor barbie outfit from a barbie fashionistas curvy barbie. star wars light/dark side build a bear with reversible ears, gift from @irenkaferalkitty , originally had a plastic squeaker in his paw that was supposed to make ewok noises but the squeaker did not survive three weeks of freeze-thaw cycle while trapped in a malfunctioning package locker, so i performed surgery and filled in his paw with polyfill out of a cheap walmart pillow because that's usually much cheaper than buying polyfill sold for the purpose".

honestly most of my decorating secrets, such as they are, boil down to "clear plastic pushpins. you can hang anything lightweight from them, they don't look obtrusive, and they don't leave big enough holes in the wall for a landlord to notice and fuss about." the rest is walmart, joann fabrics, and a firm conviction that everything i like will obviously go with everything else i like. XD