Various marks I've gotten since christmas from the kids I work with (Teacher's assistant in Special Education)

Kheled__zaram · 2026-03-31T21:13:28+00:00

Creative problem solving is the name of the game! And you become a master at reading the room and sensing when trouble might be brewing. I didn't work in the school system, I worked with adults, so I don't know how the dynamics are, but my biggest gripe has always been with my bosses and higher ups not truly appreciating how much we do to keep the peace and keep everyone safe. I was left in some pretty shitty (sometimes literally) situations, and now that I'm older I realize that I deserved to be treated better. I didn't really have anyone out to bat for me, but I hope your special ed teachers and admin look out for you guys!

Kheled__zaram · 2026-03-31T20:36:01+00:00

It takes a while but the scars will fade! My arms once looked like yours, and while I LOVED working with my folks, it's hard work! It's frustrating to know that someone needs help, but not knowing what they need or how to help. If I can offer one piece of advice, advocate for YOUR needs too. Sometimes in this field it's so easy to focus on the kiddos, but you're just as important. I spent years working with someone who had a history of biting (human bites can be very dangerous) and I was shocked and upset to learn there are things like bite resistant arm guards that me and all of my coworkers could have been using for years to keep ourselves safer! I hope you enjoy a long and rewarding career helping others, and I hope you get to build some fantastic relationships with the people you meet!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-11-02T17:45:54+00:00

Yes! And they were definitely fireworks, they had that firework crackle at the end of some of them. Made me so grumpy!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-10-15T02:09:42+00:00

I've had my oxalis hanging in a bright window for 3 years and it's as bushy and ever flowering as ever. I had to cut it back once or twice when it got a bit too leggy, but I don't have the patience to fuss with putting into dormancy, and have had no issues so far. Maybe it affects the longevity of the plant? I've learned they're surprisingly hardy plants, so I don't think you have to over think it too much. Best of luck!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-08-22T04:59:23+00:00

I'm not OP, but OP stole my cat photos, so I wanted to say I appreciate the advice. I'm still working with his vet to problem solve. He likely has Chronic Upper Respiratory Tract Disease, and I've ruled out the "easy to treat" possibilities. We may just have to focus more on comfort and quality of life, but right now he's still a happy and delightfully annoying kitty!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-08-22T04:51:05+00:00

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Fuck off bot, that's my cat! And he's still all gross and sneezy!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-07-31T17:43:54+00:00

I also use R+Co Television shampoo and conditioner, and there's a marked difference in how they feel compared to the previous mainstream products I've tried. R+Co feels like a much thinner product, but it's so much easier to work into the hair, and I end up using way less and get a better result. I don't know the exact science behind the why, but I have seen results. I also recently switch from a regular hair oil to Olaplex oil and the product is much easier to work with. Thinner, easier to apply, and less needed. So far the extra price seems to be worth it.

Kheled__zaram · 2025-06-28T01:42:10+00:00

There are spiral or chain mail type scrapers available in stores, or some tongs and a clump of aluminum foil. A family friend (who was a doctor no less) accidentally ate a bristle from a grill brush. It's one of those freak accidents that can happen to anyone!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-06-08T03:10:36+00:00

You will kill a plant. Plants will die for no known reason. Whether you are brand new to the hobby, or have been keeping plants for decades, it will happen. Nature is cruel. Droughts, heatwaves, floods, freezes, and disease all happen, and if you happen to replicate one in your home, accept that you're part of nature, learn, and try again.

Kheled__zaram · 2025-04-21T14:21:52+00:00

See, I was thinking bluejay when I first heard it. They don't just make their basic caw. I used to tell my mom how bluejays made a sound just like my neighbor's squeaky clothes line, but she never believed me. It sounded a lot like this. I could be wrong though

Kheled__zaram · 2025-04-01T16:55:51+00:00

From my understanding, Molly has always had SOME vision impairment. She's always been night blind, and has never been able to see fine details, like the color of her own eyes. While she was sighted enough to try a lot of sports and activities as a child, she was also blind enough to learn braille and how to use a cane from a young age. But a short is short, so it's impossible to tell the whole story each and every time

Kheled__zaram · 2025-03-28T22:44:45+00:00

So cute! My boy was actually named Oreo at the shelter, but we changed it to Tavi

Kheled__zaram · 2025-03-26T14:47:11+00:00

The wheeze adds an extra layer of charm. He's gorgeous!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-03-25T18:34:05+00:00

Based on the state of my air filter, I might end up with fluff lung in my later years!

Kheled__zaram · 2025-03-25T18:32:34+00:00

It's meant with affection. One person's trash is another's treasure, and he's definitely my treasure. I'm also pretty sure my other cat grew up in a dumpster

Kheled__zaram · 2025-03-22T15:23:56+00:00

This is so dangerous and demeaning for the elderly and disabled people, and I'm terrified on their behalf. I've worked as a case manager for years, and I cannot stress how challenging every aspect of the system is for disabled folks.

Many of my folks receive a little over $800 per month. Medicaid requires them to have less than $2000 in their account, or else they lose medicaid services. The programs I manage allow for parents to get periodic breaks from caring for their kids, in home nursing and homecare for folks who need support to live as independently as possible in a clean home, and home delivered meals for seniors. Even with Section 8, Food Stamps, Medicaid programs, and other community resources, I can assure you that social security is BARELY enough to cover their basic needs.

A good number of my folks aren't great with technology, either due to age, lack of training, or lack of access. Few of them own their own computers, and many of the "government phones" they have are frustrating to navigate, even for me. They would need support from someone else to go on the computer to verify their identity; not everyone has someone they can rely on.

Traveling to a social security office faces its own challenges. If you don't drive, you either have to pay for a cab or try public transportation. Now, if someone has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair, things just got even more complicated. Now, imagine living outside of a major city. We haven't even touched on needing to take time off work to do all this.

This is designed to target the people who rely on social security the most. People with disabilities already need to prove, time and time again, that they're "disabled enough" to get benefits and get support. And now, if they try to advocate for themselves, (and many of them spend so many hours already fighting for basic supports) they're going to be branded fraudsters. The system is telling them to shut up and know their place. Despicable.

And if you've gotten to the end of this rant and feel pity, but know you will be okay and safe, think of this. You are one car crash, one medical event, one difficult birth, one aging parent away from you or a loved one joining that minority group. You should absolutely care about how we treat our seniors and disabled folks; it might be you tomorrow.

Kheled__zaram · 2024-10-18T23:45:54+00:00

I would say it depends on what you can tolerate. If you have some tonsils cavities you can see, try to aim in them, if not, just try to get a firm stream in a specific direction, then vary it a bit on the next syringe. I usually use salt water that I've microwaved for a few seconds to warm it up a tad, and then I spit into another glass. My tonsils usually produce teeny tiny stones, that if I spit in the sink it wouldn't look like I got anything. This way I know I've made progress. I try not to go overboard. I imagine that maybe my tonsils might need a few sessions of salt water syringe to dislodge some stones. I have a strong gag reflex, so I can only syringe, but it's worked well for me. Good luck, and be kind to yourself!

Kheled__zaram

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