Sparrow Profile picture
Jul 13, 2018 13 tweets 3 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
[Eugenics]
I need environmentalists to hear that when they say "some sacrifice is necessary" to save the planet

& they're talking about *tools disabled people use to drink*

What I hear is "it's okay if you dehydrate if it's for the greater good"

I hear eugenics. 🙃

#StrawBan
If you ASK disabled people, we could maybe work together on lifehacks to save the planet that don't limit our access to hydration.

#StrawBan
The person who told me the other day that I am "selfish" and "hate the planet" probably doesn't know that I make a lot of my own green cleaning supplies

They're good for the planet AND help me manage my MCAS
I don't need a weather app to tell me that it's a low air quality day

I just need to attempt to breathe

Similarly, I know when a stronger more frequent storm is coming

Because I can feel the storm pain throughout my body
I am your friendly crip witch here to tell you that climate change isn't coming, it's happening now

And also I still think disabled people deserve to use single use plastic straws to hydrate or eat soup

Harm reduction is a beautiful thing

#StrawBan
Harm reduction means the perfect is the enemy of done

It means do something rather than hold out for an absolute ban

[Food]

For example, I eat *less meat* but often it's the only food I can eat, so I'm not a vegan or vegetarian.
[Substance abuse]

Harm reduction theory originated with needle exchange programs for IV drug users. The idea being, if people are struggling with IV drug use, maybe don't add a preventable infection.

Do something even if it's not ideal.
Ironically perhaps, the anti plastic straw ads were originally supposed to be a form of harm reduction: with plastic straws a "'gateway plastic' to the larger and more serious plastic pollution conversation."

Via
npr.org/sections/thesa…
The larger, more important question seems to be : how can we reduce the use of single use plastics and ocean waste from plastics?

We don't have to focus on JUST straws

Arguably, focusing on JUST straws detracts from the larger conversation around plastic waste
Most. Plastic. Waste. Is. From. Corporations. Not. Individuals.

We could start there? Just saying.
Additionally this administration seems like a threat to a lot of people and also the planet

We could work on flipping the House and other forms of anti fascism
If your activism assumes that no one "needs" plastic straws or that they're "frivolous" or "silly"

You are not including enough disabled people in your activism

Moreover, you're assuming every human is able like you

Do better. We all have to do better.

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More from @UntoNuggan

Jul 28, 2018
I mean if exams are in blue books and hand written, and people taking notes on laptops and other accessible technology have trouble writing by hand, then this is ZERO SURPRISE but I bet @Lollardfish is right it's time for able academics to yell about laptop bans
"Oh but students who have trouble writing by hand can get accommodations via disability services--"

Did you know that accommodations require a doctor's note

And not everyone can afford a doctor

Also some professors are actively hostile to disabled students
I had this one professor who had an "absolutely no laptops" rule and i presented my handy note from disability services

But it was a tiny seminar

I was the only one using a laptop

My classmates asked questions about why I was exempt

It was awkward af

Laptop bans are bad
Read 24 tweets
Jul 23, 2018
Getting really tired of this thing where a marginalized person says "this will harm my community" and people say "you're exaggerating that hasn't happened"

then like a week later the thing happens. The same doubters are all WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THIS CALAMITY

🙃
The good thing is once you spot the pattern it's easier not to become one of those people WHO COULDN'T HAVE PREDICTED THIS CALAMITY because they didn't listen to / believe marginalized people.
It's really easy to personally break this cycle. Ready?

1. If a marginalized person says a thing will harm their community, believe them.

2. Signal boost and see if anyone suggests ways to help

Yes it is that simple
Read 11 tweets
Jul 18, 2018
Since it was apparently news to a lot of people that straws are used for accessibility (DESIGNED FOR IT, even)

Here is a partial list of common kitchen items that can help disabled people cook (that we self pay for)

#Accessibility
Kitchen thermometers : useful for colorblind people who can't discern the color of meat to test doneness

Also for d/Deaf people who want to test the doneness of bread but can't tap it to check if it "sounds hollow"
Waffle makers : because flipping pancakes requires a lot of manual dexterity and standing over the stove

These can be an access tool for those with back problems, chronic pain, coordination issues...
Read 27 tweets
Jul 10, 2018
[Food, dietary restrictions]

Working on a mind map of my #MCAS triggers

This is part of the fermented/Aged Food branch. One intolerance has a cascade effect on other foods.
[food, dietary restrictions]

This mind map thing is really helping me process some feels and I think also it's less "here's my huge list of food intolerances" more "a few categories that have many sub categories"

Which is helping ease my internalized ableism tbh
[Food, dietary restrictions]

I know there's a lot of overlap with mast cell triggers, so in case this helps anyone here's my current mind map of #MCAS triggers

Help with captioning is appreciated.
Read 12 tweets
Jul 7, 2018
In case you are also chronically ill and planning for potential power outages or heat waves, here are some things I do or am considering doing for copes

Hopefully this will help someone else
It sounds weird but this dog pad is pressure activated cooling power. It requires no electricity and is reusable. (You can also make it RLY cold in the freezer.)

There are big dog sizes that work for my entire body

m.bedbathandbeyond.com/m/product/chil…
Consider filling a bathtub or bucket/tub with cool water. Dip your feet or entire body in to lower your body temperature.
Read 28 tweets
Jul 5, 2018
I don't want to yell at people when they offer alternatives to plastic straws, because i know the impulse is good.

but I need people to know that "what about ____ straws?" has joined "have you tried yoga?" in terms of emotional labor and irritation.

#strawban
It feels like maybe people think disabled people did not research or discuss alternatives to plastic straws before engaging in a protracted, exhausting campaign for "opt in for plastic straws" instead of a straw ban.

(We have a chart.)
Read 19 tweets

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