"All Autistics Have Low Empathy" - This Statement Is Wrong.

Writing Accessibility PSA

Please avoid using long strings of characters as line breaks in your writing - these are not screen reader/TTS friendly!

Every ‘°’ will be read as ‘degree’ - can you imagine how long it takes to read out a string of 25? Let alone more complicated combinations of characters (eg. imagine listening to TTS read out ~*~ |°| ~*~ multiple times per line break)?

A good rule of thumb is to stick with short, 2-3 character line breaks (eg. I don’t find — or *** too egregious to listen to). Your readers can tell there’s been a scene change whether you use two or twenty em-dashes, but if you use twenty, some of us might have to listen for 30 seconds to read the next scene. If you’re more concerned about aesthetics, you can insert an image of your aesthetically pleasing line break with alt text simply reading ‘line break’ for accessibility.

Don’t feel bad if this is something you’ve never thought about before - now you know better and can make your writing more accessible moving forward!

I would like to invite any other screenreader users to add their own thoughts or preferences to this post. We’re not a monolith and there’s a variety to how different softwares interact with repeating character strings and images with alt text, so there’s bound to be some conflicting opinions on what I’ve suggested above. Let’s try to make the stories we share accessible for everyone :]

Survival tips for when you're disabled and living in poverty

I've seen a few of these helpful posts on here and I thought I would make my own. These are just what helps me and what I've learned over the years to survive. I will continue to update this so please check back every so often.

Don't be ashamed to shop at dollar stores, Aldi, thrift stores, habitat for humanity stores, dumpster dive, take what's thrown to the curb, use food banks, get assistance. I've gotten some decent things that way. Always check with your counties human service department, churches(if you're comfortable with that) they will likely have resources for you (If in the US, please share info if not in US, all are welcome).

Couldn't brush your hair for a few days? Kids detangling spray helps a lot and smells good!

Haven't showered for a while? Keep around wipes, deodorant, dry shampoo. If you have to just stand in the water and rinse your body off or just wash the important parts ( pits, crotch and butt, if you can do more then add in your feet and hair. If you still smell okay but hairs a little greasy? Just wash hair in the sink. You don't have to shower everyday (if you can great).

Brushing teeth is a challenge? Keep floss(I prefer flossers), toothpaste,toothbrush, a cup, water and a towel by your bed, just do it there while watching something and when you get up take it to the kitchen or bathroom. You can even use a washcloth to quickly rub your teeth with then use mouthwash(if you can stand the feeling of it lol). Keep some of those single use disposable travel tooth wisps. Chew some sugar free gum. I've also learned that if you just wet your toothbrush with water and brush like that it will still help more than doing nothing.

Btw you don't have to just do your washing/grooming in the bathroom. I wash my hair and teeth in the kitchen because it's higher, less back pain for me.

Have chronic pain? Maybe have a hard time bending or just can't seem to change underwear. It's okay, take a box and put all your underwear and socks in it then store it by your toilet. We all have to use it eventually so while you're there you can slip something fresh on.

Can't remember things due to memory issues or easily distracted? Take advantage of your phone timer and clock. Or buy a timer. I personally have to set an alarm for everything from food to laundry. Keep notes in your phone or written down, put down how long things take like laundry or food, it makes it good smoothly.

IF you can afford to, it's always worth buying products that can serve you and make life easier. Like an extendable scrub brush for showers to floors.

Don't be ashamed to use medical aid equipment. You don't have to prove you need it, if it makes your life easier then you need it. Check you local VA office or Human service office or sometimes charity thrift stores, they might have some you can buy for cheap or have for free(at least where I live they do, again for the US).

If able to and it serves you, get a shower chair, a detachable shower head, a foot scrub mat, a bidet(seriously though if you have IBS or bleed heavy on your period it's so worth it and you save money on toilet paper, especially if you get one with a dryer)

Have heavy periods? Buy the adult diapers, don't be ashamed and for extra protection lay a training pad or dark towel down to lay on.

Always keep a big jug of vinegar around, you can do so much with it, from cleaning house, laundry, cooking, and much more.

Cleaning your home or space can be very overwhelming. So just do what you can. You don't have to do everything at once like you can just do one small thing a day or when you have time. If you're not going to wash dishes rinse them off first before putting it in sink. Use empty food containers(like butter or whipped cream container) or freezer bags to store food because if you aren't feeling it you can just toss it.

Keep trash bags in your room. Get a degreaser dish soap. Get a scrub wand. Get gloves if you don't like how it feels to do dishes or clean. Let your pots and pans soak in soap and hot water, but don't let it set for long or it could rust. If you can buy nonstick pots and pans, cleaning is so much easier just never use metal utensils on it. Washing one plate is better than washing no dishes.

Listen to music or a podcast or anything while you do things to help pass the time

Keep water by your daily meds.

Don't feel guilty for using disposable dishes. Sometimes you just need it to get by and make things a little easier in a life that's really hard.

When you get up to go somewhere just take a moment to stretch and move a little.

If you're going outside, take trash with you and check your mail, take a moment to breathe and let the sunlight and or fresh air greet you. Just enjoy it for a moment. If it's at night enjoy the fresh air and night sky.

If you have a pet, ask your vet if they have any financial aid programs to help with vet bills. Where I live they have a financial aid program and the option for a special credit card (mines called Care Credit it pays for vet visits and dentist) you make a payment every month but I will warn you interest is high and you will have to take out personal bank loans just to pay it off, it barely goes down and these aids are unfortunately hard to get accepted for, but worth a shot. Sometimes (be smart about this though) you can solve the issues with your pets on your own. I've delt with a lot and couldn't afford many vet visits for my cats, so I'd do my research and oftentimes just call the vet for at home advice, and I'd buy what I needed in the pet store. (I've treated, hotspots, UTIs, wounds, and lots of other situations) but like I said be smart about it, if something is wrong and it's out of your control take your fur babies in, please.

The library is your friend, use it. It has so many resources for you to use. If you're not sure they have what you need just call or email them. Some offer items like sewing machines, kitchen appliances you can check out. Some if not most even have books you can listen to by audio or a free streaming services (it ain't Netflix but it's free). Just ask, those librarians are there to help and want to help.

Download apps like Pluto tv, you can watch free shows and sometimes movies, there are break ads and it's not as nice as other streaming services but it's free.

If you need a phone try applying for a government cell phone, I'll be honest they aren't like the nice new ones and can be slow but you can call and text and use some apps and if you stay within your minutes that month you never have to pay.

You can sometimes find government programs that help with internet and sometimes a computer or tablet.

Get a slow cooker, rice cooker, any kitchen appliance that makes cooking easy. You can get these at thrift stores, Aldi and other places for cheap.

If you have earrings like studs or any piercings I suppose, keep rubber gloves and alcohol pads on hand and find some baggies. Every so often take them out, they will probably be gross, just clean them with the alcohol pads and put them in the bag, the clean your ears. Let them breath then change to new jewelry. If they are stuck like mind sometimes do (this happens usually with screw on backs) don't panic. Wipe it and your ear with the alcohol pad then put on the gloves and twist, it might take a few goes. It that doesn't do anything, take some pliers sanitize it with alcohol, put something like the glove between the jewelry and pliers then twist, that should get it off. I need to inform people that earrings do get dirty, it happens, you can be super clean and still get some gunk. Doesn't mean it's infected or you're gross or doing a bad job. Some people produce more oils and stuff then others. In my case I have a skin condition, I'm very clean. They get a lot of "ear cheese" but they're not infected, it's just I produce more oils and stuff there.

If you struggle with laundry whether it's affording it or doing it, let me tell you my secret, I WILL get hate for this. As long as you're clothes don't smell or are dirty or full of sweat, or you just keep wearing them for a short time, you don't have to wash them. But like if they do start to smell and are dirty and full of sweat, yeah wash them. This is just for pants, hoodies, jackets, tops and dresses. ALWAYS wash underwear and socks, and you can let your bra or binder go but you gotta wash it sometimes. You can just give it a good wash in the sink and air dry it too. And with blankets, just wash the sheets and pillows cases, unless the comforter or top blankets need a wash.

On that note if you get a mattress use a protector sheet under the fitted sheet and freshen it up once in a while (find how to online) it will last longer and stay cleaner and you won't have to buy a new one for a while.

If you're feeling stressed or going through trauma, don't be afraid of play! Buy those toys(child or adult toys whatever you want), play, it helps with stress so much! Forget about what others may think.

And if showers or baths bore you, buy toys or shower bath crayons or paint or those color tablets. You can even buy a bubble machine for the bath tub, so much fun I swear.

If you want to relax by reading but don't like anything out for adults, get books for kids! Who cares!

If you have a habit of getting fruit flies, if you are able to try getting carnivorous plants.

I just learned that if you have a paper shredder and shred a bunch of stuff you can use the shreds as cat litter! You need to change it completely out about everything other day so I'd use a litter liner or wear gloves. Litter is expensive and this way it insures no one will steal you document info.

Just a hack but if you have anxiety or trouble reading the menu or deciding. Bring up the restaurants menu on your phone before ordering (this is more for fast food), it always helps me a lot.

Always keep vinegar, applesauce, flour, sugar, brown sugar, spices, coco power, butter, salt on hand.

A very common trick to make milk or soap stretch is to add water. It's not great but it can help. Also don't be afraid to but powdered or boxed milk.

So that's all I can think of that helps me survive that also might help you as well. Also I shouldn't have to say this but this is a judgement free post, if you're going to make judgemental comments then you're not welcome here. To Everyone else please feel free to add on to this post with what helps you and would like to pass on. You do not have to be disabled to like or reblog this post, If you find it helpful, wonderful. 🤓✌️

Update with any helpful resources I can find, ease add your own.

If you're on EBT/SNAPs you can install the app called providers to check your card balance instead of calling, it also had resources. (It was much better before the update change but still nice)

If you need a phone go to SafeLink wireless and Q Link wireless. When I was first starting out that's what I used it was a life saver.

If you live in Wisconsin (Dunn, Eau Claire, Chippewa falls and Barron county, and likely more) you can call your counties human service department and ask them about a program called CCS. There are many more programs but this one helps you if you are struggling in like and need help. Like for me I got jobs, made money, got an apartment, learned to be independent, got my driver's license, got my GED. It completely changed me, I'm a hole new person after it. They can help you with paperwork, your benefits, and when I need to stop working I was able to get set up with a county lawyer who helped me get on SSI (and took care of some past issues). They can even help with mental health. I did horse therapy, and many more places that helped so much to relax and develop skills (like a ranch with animals and we'd cook a lot). They even provided someone who prescribed me medication a nurse and therapy sessions at the human service department. I got connected with peer support. Just ask your human service department.

Some museums(I only know of Minnesota doing this) give you a discount (you only pay $3 per person instead of like $14) if you have proof of like EBT or any assistance. Just check their websites or call for information.

If you have a forward health insurance card or are on Medicaid and struggle with rides to appointments there is a medical transportation company called Veyo, previously called MTM. I am not sure if they service outside of Wisconsin. They aren't perfect but can definitely help. You call with your forward health ID number and you can schedule rides for appointments and get gas mileage reimbursement. You need to schedule two days or more in advance. The website is https://wi.ridewithveyo.com/

And the phone number is 1 866-907-1493

You can set up you're membership online.

If it's on the way and needed they can stop by your pharmacy after appointments as well.

narcissism/NPD recovery resources, because there’s like nothing good out there

Books and things to read:

Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations by Dr. Elinor Greenburg - Aimed at providers but apparently super great for self-help too

How Do You Develop Whole Object Relations as an Adult? by Dr. Elinor Greenburg - Tips on how to stop seeing yourself and other people as only either all-good or all-bad

10 Stages in the Treatment of Narcissistic Disorders by Dr. Elinor Greenburg - Goes through the stages of treating NPD

Rethinking Narcissism by Dr. Craig Malkin - A book about promoting healthy narcissism instead of unhealthy narcissism

Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic Workbook: Treatment Strategies for Cluster B Personality Disorders by Dr. Daniel Fox - what it says on the tin. May be best done guided by a therapist

Shame in patients with narcissistic personality disorder PDF - What it says on the tin.

Narcissus and the Daffodils - an essay about NPD by someone with NPD. Probably the best description I’ve ever seen

Things to watch and listen to:

Recovery FOR the Narcissist by Dr. Eric Perry - A compassionate podcast to provide insight, support, and encouragement to anyone who exhibits narcissistic tendencies. Very in-depth

Early Morning Barking - A YouTube channel by someone with BPD and NPD about coping with and educating people on BPD and NPD. He also has a Recovery from NPD by Dr. Todd Grande - A video about this provider’s experience with helping people recover from NPD

Misc:

Narcissism Self Help Therapy website - A daily program for people with NPD (may have some triggering aspects in Part 2 of the program)

NPD Safe carrd resources - More resources for NPD (I have not gone through all of these so I don’t know how good they are)

NPD Recovery Comics by The Ego System - A bunch of fantastic comics about recovering from NPD.

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For all my over-heating spoonies out there:

While doing chores/moving around, if you start to get really warm, put ice packs in your pockets, 10/10

Drink lots of ice water, but not all at once, your body might freak a little and go nauseous

Have a large amount of tank tops in various colors, when you go out and have to look a bit more formal, use a cardigan/very thin jacket so you always have the option to take it off

Spray bottles on mist form <3

Sometimes resting, or laying down, helps to cool off cause you're not using energy

Keep your bare feet on the cool tile/wood/etc. as often as possible

Bowl of ice in front of a fan works weirdly well

Popsicles, but make sure they're not high in sugar/dairy/etc. because those can make it worse

I know it would seem like tiny tight clothes would be best, but make sure your clothes aren't tight, you don't have to wear long flowing capes and gowns but having shorts that are cotton/loose are always much better.

The backs of your arms (the upper half) your feet, and your knees are often colder than the rest of your body, utilize that

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“If you have time to be on social media, you also have time for…” “If you have time to watch Netflix, you also have time for…” Yeah, but do I have the energy for it? Do I have the emotional and mental capacity for it? Am I pain-free enough for it? Can I focus on it? Can I do it without leaving my bed? Can I safely do it without risk of (physically or emotionally) injuring myself by pushing past my boundaries?

(I bring a sort of “Everyone has inherent worth regardless of their productivity” Vibe to every conversation that ableists don’t really seem to like)

There's only one real way to categorise disorders and it's when you google it and the first results fit into one or more of the following categories:

1. "Is your child-" "Does your child-" "How to cope with the burden of being a parent for-"

2. "How to get better: Step One: have a lot of money!" "How to get better: Step One: simply stop having it!"

3. "10 Ways To Spot Sickopaths With This Disorder So You Can Protect Yourself" "The Bad People Disease -by Dr. Eugene X."

"Oh you talk to yourself! That's unhealthy!"

UGHHHHH NO ITS NOT SHUT UPPPPPP. I'm tired of people acting like it's a bad thing! I talk to myself because what ELSE am I supposed to down with all this energy??? I talk to myself because it makes me feel like I'm releasing energy! ITS A GOOD THING and actually BENEFITS ME. And I only do it when I'm alone anyways, so who CARES.

DESTIGMATIZE TALKING TO YOURSELF.

i feel like something a lot of a ppl need to understand with DID is that it’s an extremely internal experience and, most of the time, isn’t as clean-cut as it is portrayed. sometime switches can be simple and feel possessive, as one alter enters and one alter leaves, but in other times it can feel like the slow and swaying liquid inside of a lava lamp. everything can mesh together and cause even more dissociation/confusion as a reaction, leading to not knowing who is exactly fronting and even how many. every system is different, but this is always the worst for us.

this disability pride month, i ask that you include OCD on your mental illness positivity posts. for some reason we are rarely included in those. much love to all my OCD homies