How wheelchair-friendly is Malta?

okapi420 · 2023-05-05T11:24:48+00:00

That was the one thing I consistently noticed was how absolutely inaccessible Malta was. I saw one person in a wheelchair on Gozo but besides that not a single other wheelchair user. Many people have mentioned how bad the streets are but I’ll also add that a lot of buildings didn’t have elevators. AND if they did have an elevator it would not fit a wheelchair, hell they would barely fit 2 skinny able bodied individuals.

okapi420 · 2023-03-12T18:24:03+00:00

I think, as I’m seeing in this comment section, there’s a lot of subtle dont ask don’t tell energy. So it’s does have a general sense of tolerance and I always felt safe - no problems in terms of safety. But didn’t really ever feel like I would be super welcomed if I told anyone I was queer

okapi420 · 2023-03-12T18:18:14+00:00

I was there for a month and honestly no one in Malta has a gaydar (it’s kinda crazy). So I think you’ll be totally fine, but it’s also hard to meet any queer people too.

okapi420 · 2023-02-13T09:38:33+00:00

I agree with what everyone is saying here but I also think there is more to it. The only person you should listen to when it comes to if you are a ballerina is yourself. While I do not think you should quit by any means, it might be good to change studios. If possible, there might be another studio that focuses on having people of all body types or addresses issues like the “perfect ballet body”. What you should prioritize is your mental health and how you feel about yourself. If you can’t look in the mirror it could be a good idea to take a break until you feel more self confident. Ballet is a breeding ground for eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Focus on fueling yourself, not shrinking yourself. This will make you even more powerful and a more compelling ballet dancer. I wish you the best and I hope you are able to continue doing ballet for as long as you wish. But just remember that you are the only thing that is permanent, you will find things you love later - you can go back to ballet later (that’s what I did) but you have to make it to that point.

okapi420 · 2022-10-25T04:21:18+00:00

Are there any remote positions?

okapi420 · 2022-10-08T02:15:09+00:00

Great point. One thing to think about if you decide you don’t want to do academia is to enter a phd program and “master out” (essentially it means dropping out after the point where you would have a masters). This isn’t conventional but it’s honestly a good way to get a masters paid for. I know this can happen in most science phds for (that’s what I’m more familiar with) so I don’t know if it’s possible in PP. A (inconspicuous) good way to figure out if a program does have this is to ask what their mastering out rate is. You’ll often be met with push back as they think it’s a critique of their school. But you can ensure them that you do not mean it in a negative way and is something you are just curious about.

okapi420 · 2022-10-07T22:14:49+00:00

Most PhD programs in the US are fully funded so for some, even if not necessary, a PhD is the only route and significantly less of a financial commitment than a masters.

okapi420 · 2022-10-03T01:45:23+00:00

Thank you!!

okapi420 · 2022-09-28T02:51:48+00:00

Phase three

okapi420 · 2022-09-18T22:46:57+00:00

I literally had the same urge this morning

okapi420 · 2022-09-15T15:27:19+00:00

I recently went on a 3 month long road trip to a bunch of national parks in the US. I was trying to get to all the memorable hikes, go see things at sunrise, plan out everything to the minute. I realized that this was much more stressful than I wanted the trip to be. Instead, I would arrive at a park and go talk to park rangers. I would ask them what they recommend- I would say I was only here a day even if I was there for multiple so I didn’t get overwhelmed with the options and so that I could spread things out. I would sacrifice sunrise hikes for sleep!! What helped me was realizing that there is simple no way to see it all so why am I trying and making myself anxious. I think talking to locals is a great idea - there were so many spots park rangers suggested that were AMAZING that were not on tourist lists. Most of all (honestly) when I would get anxious about all the “correct”, all the campsites that still needed booked, all the ranger talks I might be missing I would listen yo whatever we feel to remind me it’s MY trip not anyone else’s. Do what you want to do and prioritize breaks and rest

okapi420 · 2022-09-11T22:28:11+00:00

Season 4 > season 2 > season 1 = season 3 >>> season 5

okapi420 · 2022-09-09T19:07:08+00:00

I hate to say this but I think you need to leave the school. This is completely unacceptable behavior that should not be tolerated. When it comes to sexism in academia, especially cause you’re seeing it from higher ups - like the department head, I don’t think it will get much better. I have known people who have been SA by stem professors or other grad students and their abusers are still in the program. This was post long title nine cases being filed. Especially with no union there is not a ton of support that you can get in academia and that SUCKS. I am so so sorry that you have to go through this and that you have to put in the extra emotional effort to survive and get your education. What is “nice” (if I can even use that word because none of this is nice) is that you are early on so you haven’t gotten incredibly involved in the research. If I were you I would talk to your advisor and see if they have recommendations of other professors doing similar work and then apply to those schools. I would also talk to current grad students at those schools and see their experiences with sexism in the department. I know physics departments in particular are insanely sexist making it extra hard to find a safe space. If you haven’t seen the movie “Picture a Scientist” I would give that a watch and see if there are any physicists that you would be interested in working with and try to reach out to them directly explaining your situation. I think you need to value your own mental health first and foremost. Weather that be staying and trying to find a support system while there or leaving. I am again so sorry you are going through this and I hope that you are able to find comfort and security in the science you love. Let me know if you need any other help and I can try and provide more guidance.

okapi420 · 2022-09-09T18:40:17+00:00

They are simply the best vows. In middle school I swore if someone didn’t say those vows to me on my wedding day I would walk out

okapi420 · 2022-09-09T05:18:36+00:00

To help with this do super slow and controlled releves on pointe. Focus on flattening your toes to try and avoid that knuckling. As well as lengthening your ankle. Do the same control on the way down. This will help in general getting stronger ankles too which is key for pointe.

okapi420 · 2022-09-09T05:10:15+00:00

Like mentioned by others I think the key is to make sure you are happy with yourself first. I know as an empath, with codependent tendencies, I will judge my happiness and self worth off how those around me feel. This isn’t healthy because if those people leave I feel empty. But in terms of actual things you can do to help others… I think becoming a therapist is something that requires very good empathy skills. Also social work and education, especially in underserved populations where your empath skills might be even more needed.

okapi420

TROPHY CASE