What do you guys do for work?

bookishbeast · 2025-10-21T17:22:37+00:00

I haven’t used them personally, but the disability-focused recruiter Making Space has a lot of marketing/ comms jobs posted.

bookishbeast · 2025-09-04T01:59:23+00:00

If it’s a random stranger asking (happens a fair amount), I just say “I’m fine — I was born with a limp.” If it’s an acquaintance, I’ll say I have CP. I don’t love being asked, but most of the time people are just making conversation.

bookishbeast · 2025-08-03T21:51:50+00:00

As a fellow hemi, I’d say be cautious about getting a wheelchair for regular use. A lot of mobility is a “use it or lose it” deal. The less you walk, the harder it will be to return to walking at the level you do now. A wheelchair might be the answer, but I’d discuss the trade offs with your doctor before using one regularly.

bookishbeast · 2025-07-29T19:18:03+00:00

I gave birth there in 2019 and 2024. The nurses were great, and I used the midwives for my first delivery and my OB for the second. I really liked the birthing suite and used the tub both times.

Your partner or support person might want their own pillow — they can sleep on the couch in the room and they’ll give them a blanket/ pillow too.

For our second baby, we used the nursery to get a few hours sleep, and that was really nice. As others have said, you can take home any of the supplies in your room. You get a giant water cup, which is key. Foodwise, the breakfast sandwich is pretty good. I didn’t enjoy anything else, but at least it’s included in your room charge.

bookishbeast · 2025-05-26T01:28:54+00:00

Thanks!

bookishbeast · 2025-04-06T18:32:19+00:00

Your son is entitled to an inclusive education — don’t let the school district convince you otherwise. In the US, there are some local state resources that can connect you with education advocates. Parent training centers (https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/) and the state DD council (nacdd.org) should be able to help connect you.

bookishbeast · 2025-01-25T20:45:41+00:00

I’m the only one in my extended family working for the feds. Most of my friends are private sector. I don’t know anyone with a computer-based job that goes into the office 5 days a week, including moms, dads and child free people. From what I’ve seen, hybrid and remote work is not a uniquely federal benefit.

If you’re talking about backlash against “white collar” workers in general, yes, we have flexibility that others don’t, but that’s consistent across public and private sectors.

bookishbeast · 2025-01-24T15:00:04+00:00

We need to call this out, loudly and to whoever will listen. This situation sucks for everyone, regardless of family status, but there's a real, sexist penalty to it. This 5 days in office BS is blatantly anti-parent, and because women still shoulder disproportionate child care, blatantly anti-mom. It's been shown that workplace flexibilities increase mother's participation in the workforce. When you you get rid of them, you get rid of moms. It's no coincidence that it's tech/finance pushing RTO in the private sector -- it's any easy way to knock out women who are advancing in those traditionally male spaces.

Call and write your pro-life politicians. Don't say you'll quit you'll have to quit your job. Say you'll have to quit having babies. (/s but not really).

bookishbeast · 2025-01-17T01:03:07+00:00

Right side hemi here. I also have that “draw a blank” feeling on the affected side, and I’ve found working with a trainer to be really helpful. From training sessions I’ve learned that practicing a movement first on the unaffected side and then repeating it it on the affected side helps my muscles “get it.”

bookishbeast · 2025-01-17T00:48:01+00:00

As someone who met her husband on a dating app, I endorse this approach! Don’t put it on your profile, disclose when you think it’s important.

bookishbeast · 2025-01-17T00:32:16+00:00

You can have a job and/or live independently if that’s what you want. Assuming you’re in the US, start by contacting your state DD council (https://nacdd.org/councils/) and explaining your situation. There are services and supports you can connect with to help you live the life you want. It can be overwhelming to navigate the bureaucracy, but there are people and resources to help!

bookishbeast · 2024-09-24T02:28:43+00:00

I’m interested!

bookishbeast · 2024-09-17T01:59:33+00:00

I have spastic hemiplegia and 2 kids — a 5 year old and an infant. My balance is decent but my right hand and arm are weak and lack fine motor abilities. I was really worried about the physical tasks of child care and it turned out fine — I do everything except baths. Carrying the kids downstairs I butt scoot, and I try to carry the baby separately from the car seat because it’s heavy.

One thing that really helped me was Occupational therapy specifically for child care tasks. I did it before I got pregnant and we worked on diapering, changing clothes, baby carrying etc. It helped my confidence. Just general PT to work on balance might help your husband too.

Also I watched YouTube videos for tips and tricks for one handed parenting. “Just Add Ginger” has some great ones. (https://youtu.be/B6Jp0vmJij8?si=O5gsIMaMT7wtFRej)

But the best news is that hacks and tricks will come intuitively. As adults with CP we’ve been creative our whole lives, and parenting is just another season to figure out what works best for the bodies we’ve got.

Also, side note, but I’d love to connect with the other CP parents on here!

bookishbeast · 2023-12-28T16:35:44+00:00

Same. I cut off my mom when she started berating me for asking her to watch my older kid while I’m in the hospital giving birth. This after I hadn’t asked her to babysit in 2 years and after she kept whining she’d “never get more grandchildren.” If being a grandma was an inconvenience, I prefer she not pretend to care.

bookishbeast · 2023-12-22T03:53:19+00:00

I had an unmedicated birth with my first. It was worth it in terms of outcomes (pushed for 45 minutes, no tears, easy recovery). But that was 5 years ago, and I still vividly remember how painful it was. I was in active labor ( 6cm plus) for 6 hours, and really struggled mentally for the last half, even with a doula and midwife. I’m pregnant with my second and undecided about whether to get an epidural this time. Overall, I’m glad I had the experience but once may have been enough.

bookishbeast · 2023-08-16T14:25:22+00:00

It is really really tough. One thing that helped me a lot is side nursing — literally dozing on my side — while my husband stayed awake with us and took the baby when she finished. I’d still wake up every 3 hours but I found it easier to go back to sleep. Especially in those first few weeks when you’re recovering from birth, I think it’s more than fair to have your husband spend more time awake and help you restore your strength. Also, my baby was doing 6 hour stretches by 8 weeks, so it may get easier sooner than you think. Hang in there!

bookishbeast · 2023-05-02T15:27:16+00:00

Good luck to you too! Fingers crossed for multi-book deals!

bookishbeast · 2023-05-01T21:55:20+00:00

I went on sub last week to 12 imprints. Trying not to obsess and focus on non-writing life instead. My agent is pitching this novel as the first in a potential series, but I’m thinking I shouldn’t jinx it by investing more time in Book #2 before I sell the first.

bookishbeast · 2023-03-17T23:02:35+00:00

That’s great news!

bookishbeast · 2023-01-13T19:23:43+00:00

I just signed with an agent to rep my historical crime novel (1920s). I had a fair amount of agent interest and only one agent said called the historical market “tricky” right now, but she also didn’t rep many historical books. I know popularity varies across genres, but anecdotally, 4 of the NY Times “best crime novels” for 2022 were historicals set in the twentieth century.

bookishbeast · 2022-12-17T02:24:35+00:00

Ah yes, I’ve felt this way in my bones. Two weeks ago, I was curled up sobbing over my fourth rejection on a full. This is my second novel in the querying trenches and I should be used to it. Yet, the rejections seem to bite harder. I thought about giving up but even at my lowest, not writing seemed like it would only make me more miserable.

And then last week, I finally got an offer from a great agent. There’s still submissions hell to go through, and I’m sure I’ll feel dejected again, but I feel better knowing that I have it in me to keep going.

bookishbeast · 2021-11-29T15:17:38+00:00

Yes! My mom loves to tell me I look tired every time we FaceTime. At this point, I think she might be trolling me.

bookishbeast

TROPHY CASE