thebluestockingfirefly - Tumblr blog

[thebluestockingfirefly]

yes, there are that many really disabled people on the internet actually

When I was less sick I used to think, "It seems like such a large portion of people on the internet are disabled, it can't possibly be that large of a percentage of the population" and then let my ableism demons tell me it was because they were faking (the same ones that told me I was faking, until I made myself really ill.)

But now that I'm sicker and wiser I realize I was logically just wrong because

The internet is disabled people's lifeline. There are more disabled people on the internet because OF COURSE. People who aren't disabled can be less chronically online because they don't have to be. This is textbook selection bias!

But actually also I was almost right, because there are way more disabled people in society than you would think! They're just systematically hidden and excluded from public spaces for abled peoples' convenience! 🙃

Anyway maybe this will help you understand and/or explain to abled friends and family.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Ooh, all new ways to describe the many types of pain I experience daily. Hurrah!

Definitely useful for writing (am writer, can confirm), but less so for trying to explain to your GP the random intermittent pain that feels like a squiggle with teeth, but, like, also sort of soft and fuzzy. Like a mouse with a rapier in each paw and a dashing hat sporting three feathers.

Some of my favorite words and phrases to describe a character in pain

coiling (up in a ball, in on themselves, against something, etc)

panting (there’s a slew of adjectives you can put after this, my favorites are shakily, weakly, etc)

keeling over (synonyms are words like collapsing, which is equally as good but overused in media)

trembling/shivering (additional adjectives could be violently, uncontrollably, etc)

sobbing (weeping is a synonym but i’ve never liked that word. also love using sob by itself, as a noun, like “he let out a quiet sob”)

whimpering (love hitting the wips with this word when a character is weak, especially when the pain is subsiding. also love using it for nightmares/attacks and things like that)

clinging (to someone or something, maybe even to themselves or their own clothes)

writhing/thrashing (maybe someone’s holding them down, or maybe they’re in bed alone)

crying (not actual tears. cry as in a shrill, sudden shout)

dazed (usually after the pain has subsided, or when adrenaline is still flowing)

wincing (probably overused but i love this word. synonym could be grimacing)

doubling-over (kinda close to keeling over but they don’t actually hit the ground, just kinda fold in on themselves)

heaving (i like to use it for describing the way someone’s breathing, ex. “heaving breaths” but can also be used for the nasty stuff like dry heaving or vomiting)

gasping/sucking/drawing in a breath (or any other words and phrases that mean a sharp intake of breath, that shite is gold)

murmuring/muttering/whispering (or other quiet forms of speaking after enduring intense pain)

hiccuping/spluttering/sniffling (words that generally imply crying without saying crying. the word crying is used so much it kinda loses its appeal, that’s why i like to mix other words like these in)

stuttering (or other general terms that show an impaired ability to speak — when someone’s in intense pain, it gets hard to talk)

staggering/stumbling (there is a difference between pain that makes you not want to stand, and pain that makes it impossible to stand. explore that!)

recoiling/shrinking away (from either the threat or someone trying to help)

pleading/begging (again, to the threat, someone trying to help, or just begging the pain to stop)

Feel free to add your favorites or most used in the comments/reblogs!

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Some days are better than others. But it's exhausting being exhausted.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

The problem with both of my parents, one of my siblings, and many of my friends being lawyers is that we do a lot of shop talk, often while chatting on the phone. And so it feels very natural to end a phone call with, "I think I'll file a motion on it. Okay. Before close of businesses today. Have a great day. Love you, bye."

Which is not the correct way to end a phone call with opposing counsel

[thebluestockingfirefly]

[thebluestockingfirefly]

The braincell is on hiatus.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Green-eyed baby.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Fluffy beans.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Good god, where was the damn copy editor??? THIS IS WHY WE DO NOT DO FIND AND REPLACE ALL GUYS ARG

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Go away. I'm hermiting.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Phryne. Get down. You are not a book.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Fear me.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Pretty in pink.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

As a disabled person who's loved LEVERAGE and LEVERAGE REDEMPTION since the beginning - for the characters but also the whole ethos of performing acts that help people against crap systems, it's wonderful to be reminded that it springs from reality.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Deer in Headlights, Green.

[thebluestockingfirefly]

Ol' Yelloweyes is back.