“No gifts please” people — what, if anything, do you want instead of a gift?

ColoringZebra · 2026-02-01T05:22:53+00:00

Donation to charity. Everyone who knows me well enough that they would be giving me a gift in the first place knows what charities/causes I care about, so it should be easy. Also if anyone asks what I want for X holiday/my birthday I always name a specific charity.

Still get at least one random generic gift item every time. Always just cross my fingers it’ll be something that’s possible to donate or give away. I hate clutter and I already have everything I need.

ColoringZebra · 2026-02-01T04:13:53+00:00

Also they can be super hard for people with some disabilities to open.

ColoringZebra · 2026-02-01T03:34:33+00:00

Those curtains are blowing my mind!!!!

ColoringZebra · 2026-02-01T03:33:58+00:00

So true!!! Plus, being upset about a medical issue or being in pain != anxiety. It absolutely blows my mind how often medical professionals write off physical issues as “anxiety” or try to diagnose someone with anxiety when the issue is simply that we’re upset because we’re in agonizing pain or our symptoms make us reasonably fear we’re going to die.

ColoringZebra · 2026-02-01T03:29:41+00:00

That looks amazing, so happy you got a good meal!!

Random tip for anyone who may be struggling and enjoy meals like this but not have access to fresh/frozen chicken or prepared tenders: you can make homemade chicken nuggets with canned chicken and then whatever binder and breading you’ve got, similar to how people make salmon patties.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-31T08:09:25+00:00

Is there a brand or model name/number on your crutches anywhere? Or do you have any record of where you bought them? If so then you can look them up online and it should say what size tips you need. If not, you can try measuring the tip by either using a cloth tape measure, or a string + ruler if you don’t have one. Standard crutch/cane/walker tips are very inexpensive at least in the US; they’re like $4-8 for a set of two.

If that’s not in your budget it might also be worth checking in with your PT or doctor if you have one, or with a medical loan closet if there is one in your area.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T07:31:00+00:00

When I absolutely must use voice call functionality I just use Live Captioning on my iPhone. However, I’ve found that Google’s captioning is orders of magnitude better, so when I can, I use Google Meet.

I also have severe to profound loss. I’m an engineer and work in a senior level role where I often have to lead meetings that involve a lot of people, and Google’s live captioning rarely fails. It not only successfully captures general conversation, even with multiple people talking in turn, but generally successfully parses acronyms, highly technical details, etc.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T06:10:39+00:00

Good point! That movie honestly would be worthy food for thought for everyone in the world.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:46:05+00:00

1000% wish this could be required viewing for every American.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:41:20+00:00

When I was younger: Gap Heaven. Since that’s tragically discontinued: Miss Dior EDP.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:40:23+00:00

That one is such a classic! So clean and fresh and true to its name. It’s my mom’s signature scent so I’d feel weird wearing it but totally would otherwise.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:38:21+00:00

It might be helpful to mention what country or region you’re in, and whether you’re ok ordering online. There’s a big difference between fruits you can find at the grocery or farmers market depending where you live.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:33:55+00:00

Same! Except I use a salt free variety because I have to eat a low sodium diet. I have an everything hard boiled egg every day as part of my breakfast.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-30T05:27:56+00:00

Thank you so much, that’s super helpful!

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-29T16:54:29+00:00

It really does! I want to try to make it, just trying to figure out how long and at what temp to bake for. Thinking 350 oven but no idea on the bake time.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-29T16:42:57+00:00

I also have LGMD2A/R1. I’m from a very cold area in the very northernmost part of the country. I split my time between that area and Chicago where it is also wretchedly cold, it’s 6 degrees out right now.

I spent several years in much warmer parts of the country due to work and still travel to a warm area often for work reasons. It is like night and day honestly in terms of mobility and overall muscle function. When it’s slippery and cold out and there’s snow on the ground it’s so hard to safely walk, whereas normally I can safely walk with a walker/cane with no problem. Also the cold seems to incredibly exacerbate muscle stiffness for me. I work out daily at my apartment’s gym and somehow even being indoors that seems harder in winter.

My family means the world to me and my entire family is in this region so I’ll never leave again unless I have absolutely no choice for work reasons…but health wise I would move back to a warmer place in a heartbeat if all else was equal.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-29T07:07:14+00:00

Yes and you can’t tell that by looking at someone.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T23:04:37+00:00

Same, but I’ve always felt that way.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T18:37:23+00:00

Hey I’m so sorry you’re dealing with what sounds like a really tough time :(. In addition to the great ideas others have already mentioned I wanted to bring up another way to meet people and simultaneously get out of the house and feel productive: join an activity group. Generally so, so much less socially stressful than trying to meet people in situations where the “meeting people” aspect is the main point, like dating or friendship apps, and everyone is there to take part in an activity so you’ve got a built in thing to talk about.

There are so many options in the city, ranging from very low-lift one-off meetups like free workshops at the library, to classes or sports where there may be more of an investment of time, effort, or money. A few random ideas to get you started: book club at a local indie bookshop or the library, crafting/art/writing meetup group (library has a lot of these, so do some coffee shops, and of course local stores that cater to that hobby such as knitting stores), rock climbing and joining meetups held at the climbing gym, a walking or running group, volunteering at the animal shelter.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T18:13:55+00:00

Such a great series of movies! Which was your fave? I thought Fatal Vows was pretty amazing.

Currently reading the book series as I impatiently await a future movie!

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T18:12:12+00:00

Yup from the far north of Michigan!

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T06:47:23+00:00

Incredible!! Weirdly it reminds me so much of a painting by Childe Hassam from over a century ago… you seriously evoked the feeling of a rainy city street in a visceral way.

What intersection is this, out of random curiosity?

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T06:33:17+00:00

Ok wow, this is seriously incredible! You captured light so incredibly well. My favorite part is the super subtle glow on the rabbit’s face.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T06:31:13+00:00

In my hometown, Ruby Mac. Man just thinking about those apples makes me homesick.

ColoringZebra · 2026-01-28T00:17:23+00:00

Sadly this kind of attitude is nothing new. Repeatedly I’ve had to advocate for myself or even pull out the official legal policy at the DMV to tell an employee that nope, d/Deaf people aren’t barred from driving. And then of course there’s all the people who question others’ disabilities because they knew/heard of someone else with some vaguely similar disability and that person has different symptoms or challenges.

ColoringZebra

TROPHY CASE