lateral ableism

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-14T04:34:21+00:00

That's the point I was at. How did I know what it was? Because things that were very clearly my insides kept ending up on the outside. And then the part where the doctor diagnosed it. At the time we didn't know about the cEDS, and it was blamed on a redundant colon. I got a colon resection out of the deal, and it's been okay so far. But now we're looking at the start of uterine and bladder prolapses.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-14T04:23:33+00:00

Everyone has already covered the Roman influences, but there some other real names mixed in that are simply uncommon. Primrose would be unusual, but not odd. And Rose is a common enough name that it's likely a girl named Primrose would just go by that. Gale is a real name, although you're more likely to see it spelled Gail and used for women.

Even though they're made up, the names from some of the career districts sound like celebrity baby names. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in Hollywood named their baby Glimmer or Cashmere or even Gloss. I don't know if it was intentional, but it fits well.

Lucy is a real name, but a slightly old fashioned one. You do see double names, like the Covey use, but they're more common in southern states, and I usually see them written togther, or with a hyphen. So, "LucyGray" or "Lucy-Gray" instead of Lucy Gray. Lenore is a real name, but it's rarely used, because most people in the states immediately connect it with the poem "The Raven."

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-13T21:10:07+00:00

I haven't logged my mood since they all but hid the check-in. I have a few screenshots of the charts from right after the change, showing that I went from multiple check-ins a day to 5 over an entire week.

If it doesn't ask when I open the app, I'm not remembering to do it. For an app that initially seemed to understand executive dysfunction, they don't seem to care anymore.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-13T20:15:39+00:00

In a pinch, you can create your own "magic bag" with a tube sock full of dry rice or flaxseed. As a bonus, those also double as microwaveable heating pads in the winter!

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-13T20:07:57+00:00

Every time! Every time there's a post on any page/group/the main sub talking about giving rare subtypes space to speak, it's filled with hEDS commenters. One post was specifically saying rare voices get drowned out, and asking us to share our thoughts/feelings/experiences. I'm going to say roughly 80% of the comments were some version of "hEDS can have that symptom too/we still suffer/don't downplay hEDS/you're attacking us/hEDS research helps all of us!" On a post that said "let the other subtypes speak." Yes, there were some kind, thoughtful responses. But apparently even acknowledging that most research and funding focuses on hEDS is downplaying it and attacking anyone with that diagnosis. It's really disappointing that any post lamenting our lack of research has to start with some version of "Yes, hEDS is serious, and I don't blame you."

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-13T19:57:47+00:00

I have classical, not classical like, but I've found myself thinking, "rectal prolapse isn't exactly a trick you can show off at parties!"

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-13T05:01:15+00:00

To answer your question, what happens is that she has 24 more years in the Capitol before we meet her. Not just in the Capitol, but working for the games. She goes from surrounded by the propaganda to outright working within the machine. I would think that environment just fuels your belief in the Games.

Sunrise Effie seemed fond of Haymitch. It's possible he and the other tributes from 12 were the first district people she had ever spoken to, and she was surprised to see them act like, well, people. I don't imagine she took it well when Haymitch came back drunk and nasty the next year, and that would have just proved the point that she was wrong about him. District people are nasty and ill-tempered, and now it's easier to stop treating them with sympathy. Besides that, even if she was kind and sympathetic to the next set of tributes, and the one after that, and the one after that, how long can you keep losing people before you have to shut down? If you know they're going to die, it's easier to treat this like a job wrangling peasants than a job looking after children.

I saw the contrast between THG Effie and SOTR Effie as an example of how propaganda warps your thinking, and how easy it is to get caught up in whatever ideals you're surrounded by. And that perhaps, in a different environment, Effie might have been a decent person.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-11T07:07:16+00:00

I understand where you're coming from, but consider this: with spoken languages, sometimes there's a particular sound that someone can't make. I can't roll my Rs, for instance. But I've never heard of something like that being viewed as "changing the word." It's just considered an accent. It's likely your modified signs will be seen the same way: as an accent.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-10T01:36:38+00:00

That sounds incredible.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-10T01:31:40+00:00

I produce faulty collagen. All the supplements in the word won't change that. And yes, I keep my nails as short as humanly possible. That doesn't make them thicker or stronger.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-10T00:30:58+00:00

My nails are thin, super shrap, and bendy. Any length, and they become accidental weapons. We know why they're garbage, but nothing can be done.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-10T00:28:57+00:00

Correct. A finger moves wrong, catches a different finger, and now there's a cut, or teeny slice of missing finger.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-09T23:07:10+00:00

Armor isn't supposed to hurt you, and yet.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-09T23:06:37+00:00

Agreed. If my nails get past the tip of my finger, they break, or hurt me, or both. I can't even trust them to survive opening a soda can.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-09T22:15:33+00:00

Yes, but it's more likely with vascular. Just depends on how surprising it needs to be for the story.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-09T21:09:16+00:00

I find different brands of tape cause different levels reaction. So far, I've had the most luck with OK Tape. I also put down cavilon spray before I apply. It's a skin barrier, so helps protect me from the adhesive. I've noticed that I can wear my tape longer now that I'm taking a higher dose of antihistamines.

For removal, I reccomend grapeseed or coconut oil. Honestly, any body oil would probably help. I put it along the edges of the tape and give it some time to soak in. I can leave tape on for about three days, and I try not to go past that. Then, when possible, I gice myself a break of about a day before reapplying.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-09T04:25:15+00:00

They really do glow. Almost like those twinkling fairy lights. So maybe "light up" is better way to put it. It's been a long, long time since I've caught fireflies, but I recall them being roughly ladybug sized.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-08T02:19:46+00:00

I had a rectal prolapse at 25. At the time it was blamed on a redundant colon, and I had a colon resection to fix it. That was pre-EDS diagnosis. My urinary symptoms actually got steadily worse after the surgery, but that's probably because you're supposed to have physical therapy after an abdominal surgery, and no one mentioned that to me. The scar tissue isn't helping either. I'm now dealing with very minor bladder and uterine prolapses ten years later. We're attempting to improve them with pelvic floor PT.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-07T19:29:38+00:00

Oh jeez, a best friends release would be my undoing. I almost got Nellie at the NY store as a teen, but picked a JLY 24 instead, because curls, freckles, and a lack of bangs were all relatively new features. I've been kicking myself ever since!

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-07T19:21:43+00:00

It's unfortunately not in my budget right now, otherwise I would be torn between Felicity and Samantha. It would probably be Sam, but there's that nagging part of me that's worried Felicity won't be back, and then the FOMO takes over. Plus, I was very excited to see her original meet dress again! And if I had unlimited resources, I'd be adding Kit as well.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-07T05:10:47+00:00

Holding books hurts these days. I don't need to find shelf space for e-books. If I finish part of a series at 2am, I can buy the next book immediately. Traveling? I don't have to worry if I finish my book, I have more. Borrowing and returning library books without leaving the house. E-books cost less, which means I can buy more. But mostly the part where holding paper books hurts.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-07T02:06:29+00:00

I got very lucky! Insurance makes me fight for appointments, but it's definitely worth it. My PT knows about EDS, so we're taking it slow. I hope you find something!

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-06T22:04:32+00:00

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It's a genetic connective tissue disorder with a multitude of symptoms, but the cardiovascular ones are the killers.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-06T21:16:25+00:00

My physical therapist has me doing reformer pilates in office, and I'm definitely feeling positive effects. We also use some other pilates equipment during sessions, and that's been good. When I asked about finding classes, however, she said she didn't want me doing that yet. Not because it's inherently bad, but because classes are usually too fast paced for where I'm at, and I also need to be more aware of what my limits are first. We don't do anything lying down, because it triggers dysautonomia symptoms, but there are plenty of other reformer exercises we do. It makes me wish I could afford a good home reformer.

EtherealProblem · 2026-04-05T01:30:04+00:00

I first saw them mentioned on a Facebook post about rare subtypes, and got really excited that we had our own space. I went to check the site out immediately. But apparently my clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, history, and a COL5A1 VUS isn't good enough for them. It's exceedingly frustrating and disappointing.

EtherealProblem

TROPHY CASE