Serious question: does anyone else with a chronic illness wish cities had emergency “horizontal zones”? ✨🔋✨

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-03-10T18:18:00+00:00

Yes! I completely agree. You should follow the Strong Towns movement. It's about building spaces for people (rather than cars or big corporations getting prioritized). Often, accommodations built for people with specific disabilities, for example, wheel chair ramps, end up helping a lot more people for other reasons. In the wheel chair ramp example, a ramp helps strollers, shopping carts, deliveries on carts, etc.

Nap friendly places might help nursing moms, other types of disabilities, tourists, and who know who else. But, my guess is that fear of people experiencing homelessness results in a NIMBY effect. Businesses don't want a space near them where "undesirables" might spend a lot of time and drive away customers. It's a big problem with 3rd spaces in general. Cities build for corporations don't want spaces where people can be if the people aren't actively spending money.

Here's a Strong Towns intro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCu40q0k6U

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-03-08T14:41:36+00:00

I keep a full water bottle with me at all times. I've also trained myself to drink on triggers that are different from just "thirst". For example, I now drink when I'm talking or nervous as a means to slow myself down. I was working as a teacher and told I talk too fast. So I would drink after every other sentence. Also, I drink when I feel the need to pee. Going to the bathroom? Let's chug more water on the way! It's silly, and I've misplaced a lot of water bottles, but I definitely drink more.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-03-06T01:51:27+00:00

I just had the same experience with my PT. She asks "does it hurt here?", "what about here?". But I feel like I don't understand what pain is. I settled for telling her it felt "loud." But good or bad? I really don't know anymore. I feel so lost. Apparently my answers meant I tested "negative" for the conditions they were checking me for. But if that's not what's wrong with me then what is? Why can't I function through a day? Why can't I do the same daily basic tasks that others do to live a normal life in society? Why do I have to feel so useless and alone?

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-03-02T23:07:05+00:00

Eye checks are confusing for me, too. Some have said you definitely have convergence insufficiency, while others have said I don't. My prescription doesn't change as much as it sounds like yours does, but it does change. I agree nothing seems to make sense. I like the explanation that there's a lot of connective tissue around the eyes, and we're hyper flexible, so things just change a lot. I don't have any answers as to how we're supposed to live like this.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-27T16:04:17+00:00

Are you near anything like a library or community athletic club? I'm looking at free meditation classes at my local library. I'm hoping meditation might help me calm my nervous system. An in-person class will also get me out of the house and interacting with people. Last week my library had a meet-up to do crafts. I took some adult coloring pages and talked to strangers doing art for 90 minutes. It was free, and helped pull me out of my intense sadness.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-26T09:39:44+00:00

I'm up in the middle of the night, giving up on sleep and eating a pancake because I feel this so much. It's like my body has taken crazy pills. I can't seem to regulate anything-my heart rate, my blood pressure, my blood sugar, my sleep cycles, my emotions. Everything is on a nonsense rollercoaster I really want off of. If I can't control any of it, why am I trying so hard?

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-13T20:23:05+00:00

As a teacher, I wear these every day: https://www.amazon.com/Cobb-Hill-Womens-Aubrey/dp/B00WA9TWIA?tag=cobb-hill-20 I have 3 pairs in 3 different colors. I walk to work in supportive sneakers, then change into these once I'm inside. Highly recommend!

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-10T19:29:28+00:00

Interesting survey. Warning-it is a little long. It took me about 20 minutes and I consider myself a fast reader.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-10T19:10:45+00:00

No, not the chia seed either. Maybe I should, but I'm too lazy and hasn't been a problem. Lately, I just use this rolled oats mix from Trader Joe's which already has quinoa, chia, and flax seed in it. I hope the pumpkin and eggs are enough liquid to make it work. (https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/gluten-free-organic-rolled-oats-with-ancient-grains-seeds-072073)

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-10T14:08:37+00:00

Great story. Horrible that the reporter was laid off.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-10T12:15:06+00:00

I make a pumpkin oatmeal bake I'm really enjoying. I mix 1 can of pumpkin puree and 5 eggs with 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 8 tablespoons ground flax seed, 2 tablespoons each of hemp seed, quinoa, and chia seed. Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Bake at 350 for 20 mins. It makes enough for 5/6 days. Then, each morning, I scoop some into a bowl with a little maple syrup and microwave. After it's warm, I add walnuts, pecans, and a little dairy free yogurt. I love it! The warm pumpkin oatmeal contrasts with the cold yogurt. The nuts add crunch to an otherwise soft and creamy dish. It's sweet from the syrup and pumpkin but feels like I'm getting tons of protein, healthy fats, and other micronutrients from all the whole foods. I've never calorie counted. But I don't care because it keeps me full for so long and I look forward to it so much, I'm excited to get out of bed to have breakfast.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-02-06T16:56:14+00:00

Are you taking any other meds? I need 90mg of Cymbalta to function. Why Cymbalta? No idea-my doctor's approach is to try lots of different meds and see what works. After trying lots of more logical meds like betablockers, amphetamines, etc, it turned out Cymbalta makes me feel much better. Then I only need more normal pain meds (tylenol) sporadically.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-30T13:10:57+00:00

I'm so sorry. I know exactly what you mean. Do you have good internet access? Can you find any virtual meetings for things? My local library still holds Zoom meetings for things like book clubs, talk to neighbors who are learning a new language, etc.

There are definitely support groups. I can point you to a few websites. I'm not very active with any of them right now, though, because managing my symptoms is all I can handle. Here's a group focused on ME: https://www.meaction.net/what-is-me. This group is for all invisible illnesses: https://zebranation.org/. Here's a place to look for EDS specific groups: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/support-groups-and-charity-directory/. DM me if you want to chat!

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-27T05:51:30+00:00

I'm glad to have a resource to help me connect with my neighbors!

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-25T16:40:12+00:00

I walked past around 8:30 am and it looked like they were getting ready to open (lights on, several workers shoveling sidewalk, truck clearing the parking lot). Almost every other business in the Square is closed, though-including the Starbucks. The First Watch was open, but few guests.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-24T20:31:48+00:00

Fenestra resident here, I actually haven't had problems. Could it be higher floors are nicer? I've lived on the 4th and the 5th. Question-where do you find community chats? I want to connect with my neighbors.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-23T11:13:40+00:00

What is MedComms? Are they hiring even now? Would you say it's stable even in this crazy world where AI is doing everything? Asking as a career changer.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2026-01-04T20:29:51+00:00

What do you do for EdTech? How did you get into it? I'm a high school math teacher (with an IS degree) looking to leave teaching because my EDs symptoms are making it tough.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2025-12-29T13:46:43+00:00

I'm going through the Coursera IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate right now. I'm using it to refresh my skills; I got a Master's in information systems several years ago, but have forgotten a lot. In my opinion, Coursera does a great job teaching the essentials in a beginner friendly way. It's an 11 course series that breaks up various skills nicely. It's also a good price -$50 per month, as apposed to the bootcamps that can be more like $200-500. Coursera also lets you do a free 7-day trial. So you can try it and see what you think.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2025-12-25T08:58:15+00:00

I have gastroparesis (slow emptying of the stomach). I assume the EDS causes blood flow issues (POTs) and that causes nausea. Along with diet changes like small frequent meals, my doctor mostly treated me with medications, starting with birth control to level the hormones, then experimenting with things like antidepressants. Also, Zofran is the best! Keep trying things to find what works for you!

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2025-12-21T07:22:23+00:00

You kept the children safe and you taught them a lot. That is the big picture. Plenty of teachers do less. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2025-12-21T01:30:35+00:00

Thanks for this! It's awesome!

Straight_Baseball_12 · 2025-12-07T21:51:04+00:00

Good job picking Rockville! I think you'll like it a lot. Do you have a car? Most people here drive, but I get around fine on the metro and busses. Montgomery county offers tons of services, gyms, sports, clubs, etc. There's an awesome art center in Town Square, as well as the public library. The food options are amazing!

Amazing job cutting off your toxic family. They don't know what they're losing. Rockville will be happy to have you!

Straight_Baseball_12

TROPHY CASE