humanity
Advocates, icons, influencers, and more. All about humanity.
Morrisons Announce Nationwide 'Quiet Hour' to Cater to Needs of Autistic Shoppers
In a bid to create a more welcoming shopping space for those with autism, national UK supermarket Morrisons has pledged to introduce a ‘quieter hour’ every week in all of their stores.
By Ziggy Moth8 years ago in Longevity
Let There Be Light
The place was akin to a terrestrial purgatory. When I eventually gained the courage to trudge up to the abandoned reception desk and shakily sign my name and the time in a binder with crumpled pages, I shivered under the atmosphere that enveloped me. There was some semblance of peace in the quiet, but I was also greeted by icy tendrils of despair.
By Becca Volk8 years ago in Longevity
How Cancer Took Over
I was 13 years old when I found out that my dad was sick. Every day it was constantly going to doctor's appointments, getting him what he needed, etc. At first, I didn't think it would be so bad because he was so strong and told my sister and I that he was going to be okay. As months went by, he started to get worse. He went to the hospital more and was in home hospice for a good week and a half. There was never a time I couldn't stop crying in my room. I don't know what it was, I guess I was afraid to see him so sick. He died on February 17, 2014, from Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.
By Taylor DeMott8 years ago in Longevity
'If Vaccines Work, Why Is My Unvaccinated Child a Risk to You?' And Other Questions About Vaccines ANSWERED
With Kat Von D announcing to the world that she refuses to vaccinate her future child, there has been lots of hype about the anti-vaxx movement. It's time to stop the misinformation in its tracks. Sit down with #TheWheelchairScientist to find out what the deal is with vaccines.
By Max Fisher8 years ago in Longevity
Growing Up Sick
Does anyone else hate it when you're sick and someone says something like, "Oh, it's not that bad, it's just a cold, stop complaining!" or anything along those lines? I do! Especially for someone like me who grew up being sick. What I mean by that is, from the time I was about 4-years-old I was in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices. First off, I was born prematurely. I was only 4 pounds when I was born. I can't say whether or not that had anything to do with my development growing up, but who knows? I just know that from around the age of 4 anytime I got even a little bit sick—i.e. a cough, a sneeze, a runny nose, it would almost always turn into a full-blown fever and a lot of visits to the doctor. I'll never forget when I was about 5 or 6, I was taken to the hospital for severe dehydration and they ended up having to put a tube down my throat and I remember getting a lot of IV's. It was a stomach virus gone horribly wrong. Throughout the years I would get those a lot and was hospitalized a lot.
By Marissa Swint8 years ago in Longevity
Are You in Pain or Suffering?
Is it pain or suffering? Pain in the Physical Arena: In the early to mid-1970s, one of my aunts developed a terrible case of kyphosis (often confused with scoliosis). She began to hunch over badly and, from what I understand, the doctors predicted that it would eventually lead to organ failure. She was average height but for most of my life stood no more than four feet high, due to the curvature of her spine.
By Robert Spencer8 years ago in Longevity
Empathy, Or Em...Pity?
In March 2018, upon invitation through a LinkedIn message, I attended a seminar entitled “Human-Centered Technology: The Human/Tech Paradox” in New York City. The keynote speaker was Concepción Galdón, PhD, Social Innovation Director/Academic Lead at IE (Instituto de Empresa) University in Spain.
By Sebastian Peter, Jr.8 years ago in Longevity
Fight the Good Fight
Ableism means that somebody is not taking into account a disability. It is like telling somebody in a wheelchair to get up and walk when they can’t. Or pointing out a person with diabetes’ need for insulin, to tell them they are a waste of space. Great. Such a swell comment, because sometimes people will slip up and tell those of us with knee injuries to kneel in certain situations when we can’t. Ableism makes people feel ashamed of themselves. I have an enormous shame complex of mine that I’m working on ridding myself of. I spent my entire childhood sleep deprived.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Longevity
'Celebrating' Autism Awareness Month
April has long been known as Autism Awareness Month and April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day. Since my daughter’s diagnosis years ago, I have been involved in many online support groups, read many blogs, and participated in a number of discussions about what exactly this month should be about, or if it should even be a thing at all.
By Jennifer Arnold8 years ago in Longevity
On the Eve of April 1st
Welcome to abelism awareness month. Let me refresh some of your disability etiquette. Nobody thinks to treat disabled people as a whole person. They are too busy staring at the wheelchair, the medical device, or the hearing aid. Asking about somebody’s disability directly is quite rude in our community as is blatantly running into a medical device like a woman who ran into my device in yoga class once, nearly dislodging my infusion set. Abelist thinking is not always talked about. If you know a wheelchair person, asking them how they wound up in a wheelchair is just plain rude. Yes, you are curious. Don’t point out disabled people’s stuff.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Longevity
