#and for the record I’m not an amputee but I am disabled

[nerdyenby]

Look at my boy!!!

He!!!!

For those unfamiliar, a bit of background:

I stumbled upon the headcanon that Lloyd Garmadon is an amputee a while back, and have since adopted it as my own. Lloyd canonically lost his arm in the movie (it got put back though (because legos)), but this theory suggests that when Lloyd broke his arm in season 8 he damaged it enough that he later had to get it amputated. He fell out of the sky and broke his arm then was lost in a forest for a day or two. I think it’s reasonably plausible that it either got infected or that the wound was exasperated by his battle with Harumi. Considering everything that went on after, it’s safe to assume he didn’t get medical attention for a while, and that by the time he did, the damage was done.

This headcanon primarily finds itself in Lloyd consistently having an alternate pattern, color, or texture on his right sleeve in later seasons which some have interpreted as a prosthetic. This is most likely not intentional on the creator’s part (especially considering the ninja all have asymmetric sleeve designs at one point or another) but it makes sense and it’s fun.

I also think it adds a lot to his trauma surrounding Harumi’s betrayal if he lost his arm protecting her. Lloyd’s always been a forgiving person and it makes sense that he’d latch a lot of his resentment and hurt onto her if she not only betrayed his trust, but also left him with a physical wound that would last. His disposition was irrevocably changed after Harumi’s manipulation and I think him having a constant physical reminder of the pain would add a lot of depth to his lingering anger and hurt.

My personal headcanon is that he started off using a prosthetic that matched his skin tone. He was never really ashamed of it, he’s always known he and his friends were in danger. He was more upset about how it happened than that it happened. Still, he got hurt protecting someone that he cared about. He ended up losing his arm because of it but Lloyd’s always been ready and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. With his friends’ support he bounces back pretty quick. His first prosthetic is pretty stealth, he’s not ashamed of it, but he doesn’t exactly want to advertise his weaknesses. After some time passes, though, Lloyd decides he’s not gonna be able to keep it quiet for much longer and having an openly disabled protector for people to see themselves in is more important. Bouncing off of the energy and support from fans and the disability community alike, Lloyd becomes more comfortable in his own skin and begins to try out the more showy and customized prosthetics his friends (mainly Nya and Pixal) have made for him. He soon comes to enjoy wearing his prosthetic over his gi and even cuts a whole is his sleeve to allow greater movement (and keep it from getting caught in the fabric but shhh).

But yeah. Proudly disabled Lloyd Garmadon my beloved

[staringatthetwinsuns]

On writing Luke Skywalker as a character with a disability (meta thoughts)

Inspired by this post and the immensely thoughtful reblogs that go with it, I am going to try to consolidate my thoughts, advice, pet peeves, and feels about writing Luke Skywalker as a character with a disability (and perhaps touch a bit on Anakin/Vader). This is something I've actually spent a lot of time thinking about, and I don’t see it talked about very often, but now that I know I’m not the only one who thinks about it, I thought I'd try to share my perspective at least and start a conversation. Please feel free to add to, question, or outright argue with anything here.

First, a disclaimer: I am not an amputee, a doctor, an occupational therapist, or anyone else with relevant personal experience. I have personal reasons for caring deeply about this, but the most important ones are probably just wanting to see my favorite character written well and wanting to see diverse characters represented in fiction in general, so. Take this as you will.

Also, I will say in advance that I mix person-first language ("person with a disability") and identity-first language ("disabled person") here, because I know there are people who prefer both.... apologies/warnings in advance if you strongly dislike or are triggered by either.

So, first things first, and this is really just general writing advice that could apply to any disability or ANY aspect of a character's appearance… to what extent is is even necessary to address Luke's prosthetic hand in fic? The post I linked to above was really talking about art, and in that case, I suppose you do have to make some sort of choice—to draw Luke with a natural-looking hand like he had in ESB, a black glove as in ROTJ, or a metal hand like in the sequel trilogy. In fic, however, it doesn’t always need to really be addressed at all. Again, this goes for ANY aspect of a character’s appearance, and the golden rule is: Would the POV character (the character whose point of view we are in at the moment) notice or care at this particular moment in the story? You know how it feels weird when you read a bad YA fantasy novel and the narrator says something like "I looked at him with my brilliant purple eyes, which perfectly accented my flawless ivory skin"? That’s unnatural because actual people (even teenagers, shock! horror!) don’t really go around thinking about their own eye color or how flawless their skin is (unless they're incredibly unlikable, and then why would we want to read about them?). They’d be slightly more likely to be thinking about it if their skin WASN'T flawless and that zit they found this morning was bothering them, etc. Cardinal rule: don’t mention anything the narrator or POV character wouldn’t logically be thinking about at the time.

So, whether you even need to mention Luke's hand at all probably depends on a number of factors: Whose POV are we in? When does the fic take place? (Luke's going to be more aware of his new hand between ESB and ROTJ, for example, than decades in the future.) Does anything specifically happen that reminds the POV character of the fact that his hand's a prosthetic?

Which brings me, I suppose, to the next thing: Whether it even counts as a disability at all and the fact that, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T, you still can't really ignore it as if his hand just magically regenerated.

So, first. Is having an amazing cybernetic limb in the Star Wars universe a disability? I say a cautious yes… or at the very least, it's a medical condition on the same level with say, wearing glasses or contacts or having a hip replacement or something in the real world?

I do think it depends on a lot of factors though, and movie canon, at least, doesn’t give us a lot of answers. We don’t really know how much feeling Luke has in his hand… pressure/pain is established, but what about heat or cold? Does it hurt at all (aside from pain sensors)? Is it stronger, weaker, less flexible (more flexible? That's a bit hard to imagine?) etc, than his other hand? I think it PROBABLY counts as a disability and at least counts as something that would affect his daily life in AT THE VERY LEAST small ways. More on that later.

I don’t actually remember what Legends had to say about any of this but again, movie canon doesn’t give us a lot. Here are some of the things I appreciate fanfic writers thinking about, though. (For the record, I am GUILTY AS HELL of overlooking some of this stuff myself in certain fics though, so don't feel bad if you have too… just suggestions for things we probably SHOULD be considering!)

1. How different is the sense of touch or the range of movement in Luke's prosthetic right hand, compared to his left hand? Does it affect the way he does things? Does he favor one hand over the other in certain situations because of this? Does this change as time goes by and any differences become his norm? (I'd personally think there'd be some difference… not necessarily better or worse, but different, and that over time it would definitely start to feel normal.)

2. How different does it look or feel to other people? 1980s-era special effects aside, look at the rest of the technology in the universe. Look at your own hand for goodness' sake. I can’t imagine it’s a perfect replica. Like, I can see the bones and veins in my hand. My fingernails get too long and split and have ragged cuticles. There's no WAY that anyone would even WANT a prosthetic hand that realistic, so. There's got to be some difference. Especially in a romantic or sexual situation, especially fairly soon after ESB, it seems weird not to mention this. I HAVE seen fics that addressed the body temperature issue, either by having the other character be surprised that his hand WAS warm or stating that it wasn't? I guess I personally don't think that heating would be a priority and that it might therefore be cooler than his other hand? Again, definitely not always necessary but, in certain scenes might be important and gets sometimes ignored.

3. There is no f-ing way that Luke’s hand actually ages, so… while I agree that the "Oh all the skin just fell off" idea is stupid, what DOES he do as he ages? Go for the metal model because it doesn’t look the same anyway so it doesn't MATTER if he ages? Get the skin updated to look more like whatever age he is now? Just… have a random 22-year-old-looking hand even though the rest of him is 50?

4. Regardless of whatever you go with for #3, either the entire hand or some of its parts must need replacing over time. Anyone who thinks people use the same prostheses for 30 years doesn’t know anyone who actually uses one (or hasn’t known them for very long, anyway), and even if you play the "advanced technology" card.. want to show me a 30-year-old car, airplane, or space shuttle that has NEVER HAD A PART REPLACED EVER? Can he do the maintenance himself (one-handed? Well, at least he has the Force?) or does a medical droid need to do it, etc?

5. What does the REST of the galaxy think about this? The only canon instances of ableism I can think of are Obi-Wan’s "more machine now than man" in ROTJ, and Dooku's not-so-nice thoughts about Anakin's arm in the ROTS novelization (although Palpatine obviously feels differently in the same scene), but… on the whole is there any stigma attached, or not? If so, is Luke more like "screw it," or is he somewhat self-conscious? What do Leia, Han, Chewie, Wedge... whoever else is in the fic, think? I mean, seriously... imagine a loved one losing a limb. You might not CARE (you shouldn't CARE, in the sense of loving them less or differently, and I don't think any of the above characters would either) but it would still be a thing to get used to?

6. Back to technical stuff, just how much of his arm IS mechanical anyway? Definitely seems to be more than he actually lost to Vader. (This Quora post is fascinating.) Again, usually not relevant since Luke never wears anything but long sleeves after ESB (which is a travesty; look at those ARMS on Dagobah), but… might be relevant if he’s naked in your fic? ;)

7. Related to #6, how obvious is the point where the synthskin meets his natural skin? This could probably be barely noticeable (theatrical makeup experience FTW?) but, might not be? Is this the reason he always wears long sleeves? XD I can't imagine synthskin can tan or grow hair or anything, right???

Okay, so assuming you've put the thought into your headcanon for the above (I… really hadn’t either until recently though, and my fics are all inconsistent so… no judgment either way), let me come back to this "minor thing that affects your life in small ways" thing.

I don’t really get the impression that, with Luke anyway, this particular fandom pays TOO MUCH attention to his prosthetic hand to the point where it feels like a fetish. I have read a COUPLE of fics that felt icky that way, but many more involving Anakin/Vader. If anything, it gets kind of over-ignored as a perfect replacement that is exactly like his biological hand in every way.

That's just not possible. It's not. And even if it WERE scientifically possible (in a very cyberpunk-ish world, no less) would anyone BOTHER to make a cybernetic hand with ugly veins, scraggly cuticles, and age spots?

So. Even if you don’t consider it a disability, it’s a THING. I don’t think my wearing contacts is a disability, but I still can't open my eyes underwater, and if I nap in the afternoon my eyes get dry and gunky, and if I drive somewhere and lose a contact I legally and literally CANNOT drive home (never happened but, anxiety FTW?), and don't forget that one time I lived through a major earthquake and all the supermarkets ran out of food because the roads were closed, you better bet I was worried about what would happen if I ran out of One Day Acuvue before the courier services opened back up (actually go to an eye doctor and get that awful glaucoma test? *shudder*). Similarly, someone who can walk normally on an artificial hip or knee isn’t disabled in the same sense that someone who uses a wheelchair is, but they still set off metal detectors and can’t sit comfortably in certain positions. It may or may not be a major thing, but it is a thing… and it does seem weird to me that a lot of writers seem to treat Luke’s hand as a perfect replacement when it CAN'T BE. For example:

1. It's metal in his body. I’ve translated enough medical documents to know that THAT IS A THING. Metal detectors, MRIs, whatever… there are times when metal vs. organic material is a thing.

2. He can't possibly have the same fingerprints, if he has any fingerprints at all. It MIGHT be possible for a planned amputation but… that hand was lost. Any biometric-type military clearance Luke has now has to be reset/redone. Finger vein identification etc. is probably a no-go period. (NEW THOUGHT: Unless the Alliance had his fingerprints on file... doesn't REALLY match up with the rest of the technology of the world, but... cool possibility?)

3. Maintenance. Especially considering if he’s going to live on a water planet with exposed mechanical parts with no one else to help him do maintenance if needed *side-eyes Rian Johnson*

4. Ongoing pain? This is a headcanon of mine anyway. From what I understand, phantom pain comes from the brain sending out signals to a limb that is no longer there, and getting no response. Since Luke’s hand DOES have feeling, I don’t think he’d have that kind of ongoing issue, BUT. I do think there’d be pain right after he got it (again, talk to anyone who’s had a joint replaced?) and I kind of imagine his hand aching whenever he was reminded of Vader or of losing it. Not a necessary thing to work in, I suppose, but that’s a headcanon I use a lot.

5. Identity as a disabled person? I have seen this addressed in some fics, and I agree that it might not have a place one way or the other in a story that has nothing to do with disability, but… I do sort of see Luke being especially compassionate to other veterans or victims of the war, and to people with disabilities in general, maybe especially because he now knows that’s something he shared with his father? I also like it when fics address the fact that not everyone in the galaxy has access to what I assume was the top-of-the-line model for the Alliance’s biggest hero, at that Luke might feel guilt about that, or at least a desire to help others?

6. Vanity/self-esteem? Luke doesn’t seem like a hugely vain person to me but… would he be at all self-conscious about meeting someone new and getting the awkward questions? Does he tell the truth, and if so how much of it? Or does everyone just already know? (That wouldn’t necessarily be LESS awkward though?) Like everything else, this probably depends on when the fic is set.

7. Is there anything he’s not supposed to do, like get wet (especially without the skin, oh dear sequel trilogy)???

I guess on the whole I see Luke as a not-vain person who probably wouldn’t care THAT much about appearances (except everyone does a little, right?), but I do think his hand would be a constant reminder of Vader, for better (after ROTJ) or worse (between ESB and ROTJ). I don’t think it would be as life-changing as losing a limb in the real world today, but I also don’t think he’d go months (or even a day really) without even thinking about it, with zero changes to anything whatsoever.

I think it’s really important that the technology in Star Wars is shown to be helping and healing people, rather than just blowing things up. I LOVE that people have taken that ideal version of a prosthetic limb and made strides toward actually creating it in real life. But I also think that just ignoring the fact that Luke IS a character with a disability (however rendered-minor it is by said technology) does a huge disservice to the character and to diversity in pop culture in general.

So… long story short, I’d love to see more fics that did address this, even if it’s casually and in passing. While there are certainly situations in which the best choice is "it doesn’t matter in this scene," if anything I see Star Wars fics going too far in the other direction… not really considering this as a part of the character and the world?

[edge-hill-university]

“I Want To Be Defined By My Reaction, Not My Disability”

Former marine Andy Grant’s (above left) life changed irrevocably after losing a limb in the line of duty. Budding journalist Amos Wynn (above right), currently studying Sociology with Politics at Edge Hill University, tells his inspiring story. 

Meeting up with Andy Grant in a coffee shop in Liverpool, it’s hard to imagine what things were like for him nearly ten years ago when he was injured whilst serving as a marine in Afghanistan.

At only 20 years of age, just one year older than I am now, he went through the unimaginable when he lost a leg in an explosion in Afghanistan while serving with the marines.

But Grant vowed that he “didn’t want to be defined by being disabled or an ex-soldier; I wanted to be defined by how I reacted to it,” and his determination to be clear for everyone to see.

Now at the age of thirty, Grant has done plenty to ensure exactly that.

He has become the world’s fastest single leg amputee, running 10k in 37 minutes and 17 seconds, 36 seconds faster than the previous record. He won two golds and a bronze at the 2014 Invictus Games, and completed sky dives amongst other tasks, and is now a successful motivational speaker.

Earlier this year Grant released his autobiography, You’ll Never Walk, documenting the big moments in his life, the highs and the lows.

Grant admits it was an “emotional rollercoaster” going through the thirty years of his life with ghost writer, Phil Reade.

“We went through every emotion, from crying our eyes out to laughing out loud, as well as some moments of real suspense.”

Discussing the different events in his life made the ex-marine “relive” a lot of moments and allowed him to think in more depth about the different things he had been through and the things he has achieved in adversity.

“I get a good feeling just talking about breaking the 10k record. I explained the emotions I went through that day and what it felt like when I crossed the line, and that put a huge smile on my face. I think that helped Phil [Reade] to see how happy and how proud I was.”

Putting his story down in words was something Grant had thought about for a long time before he started writing You’ll Never Walk, but “I didn’t want it to be just about being blown up in Afghanistan, I wanted to write a book about what I had achieved.”

After he broke the record and became the fastest single leg amputee he thought, “I’ve done something now, I’ve got something, and then I was approached by Phil.”

The book has received positive feedback, with a variety of people finding it inspiring, and Grant receiving nice messages from strangers, telling him what it meant to them and how it has affected their lives: “that was what we wanted, for people to get that positive message, that they can achieve anything.”

The 30-year old believes there is “nothing better than someone who has been going through a really hard time finding hope from your story, it does give you a little buzz, but it’s also very surreal.”

The fact that people could be sat on holiday around the world reading his book is a “crazy thought” for Grant but makes him really “proud”.

A few years ago, Grant took part in an ITV documentary, and says it hasn’t been an issue allowing people into his life.

“I welcome it really; I’m a people person and very open, so I enjoyed working and sharing my story.”

At the age of 12, Grant’s mother died and this “engraved” him with the mentality he has had throughout his life.

“I always knew life could be unfair. When I lost my mum, I went through the hardest military training but when life did get tough I knew I could pull through.”

Even after being blown up, he never at any point thought about quitting and accepting that the rest of his life would be spent in a wheelchair. “I always knew I had something inside me that could push on and get over this tragedy.”

The death of his mother meant Grant grew up being very close to his dad and two sisters. They are always in his mind with “everything I do in my life affecting them, from joining the marines in the first place, to serving out in Iraq and then Afghanistan, to eventually getting injured.”

A big thing for Andy was the way that his family and other people would see him. “I never wanted them to think their brother was once this big Royal Marine who is now in a wheelchair and doesn’t really do anything.”

“I try to inspire them and to show them I’m still the same Andy; they were proud when I joined the marines and I wanted to keep their view of me the same or even better, if possible.”

After the accident there was a chance for Grant to carry on life with both his legs, but he would have had to remain in a wheelchair. This led to his decision to have the amputation.

“You come into the world with two arms and two legs and you expect to leave with two arms and two legs, so it was sad knowing that keeping the leg wasn’t possible if I wanted to live my life.”

The decision to lose the lower part of his leg may have been “tough”, but Grant was driven on knowing that it could lead to a better life.

“No one likes having things taken off them, whether it’s a kid in school getting sweets taken off him or me losing something I had had for twenty-two years of my life.”

Despite ten years passing since the accident, Andy still finds himself fighting for compensation, with support coming from charities, not government.

“I think they’ve tried to wash their hands as quickly as possible, which is a shame. At times I’ve fought harder for compensation than I did fighting the Taliban.”

The accident had a huge impact on Grant’s outlook on life, making him want to “enjoy myself more and not really stress about things too much because I’ve realised we only get one life.”

“I was very young when I was blown up,” he continues, “and there was a lot of experiences and places in the world I’d never seen, so it gave me this attitude to kick on and try to draw everything from life. It gave me a kick up the backside and I’ve ended up doing more things than I did before.”

Whilst his injury is one of the factors that contributes to his desire to try new things, Grant also points to losing his mother as another of the reasons behind it.

“She was 36 when she passed away and I’m 30 now, so that could be six years of my life left, and that makes me sad. There are so many things I’ve not achieved and that she didn’t in such a short life, so I want to live mine to the full and try new things.”

That, combined with being a person who loves trying new experiences, gives him the strong desire to jump outside his comfort zone and to give things a go, to “stand up to be counted.”

“After all that happened to me, I think I was not put on this Earth to pay bills then die. I want to achieve and go places and live life to the max. I like holidays, spending time with my family and doing fun things.”

The grit and determination that Andy conveys must run through his family, as his dad is also a big inspiration to the record breaker.

“He’s done a good job bringing up three children on his own. Now, as a father, I realise how difficult it is to bring kids up.”

Despite sharing a determination, Grant believes they are also in some ways different.

“I’m more outgoing and I like trying new things, but my dad is shy and more low key and doesn’t make a song and dance about things, but he has his own personal resilience. I’m a bit more adventurous and wear my heart on my sleeve more.”

Grant also takes inspiration from people who doubt him.

“I love it when people say I’m lucky. It’s the biggest compliment if I can lose my mum at 12 and get blown up in Afghanistan but still love such a life and people think I’m lucky.”

This is something he takes as a “driving force” to continue “smashing life and keep on doing well so people have that perception of me.”

As a professional public speaker, Grant tries to get the message across “that life is hard and challenging and you don’t have to be blown up in Afghanistan to realise that it is tough. Whatever life throws at you, you can overcome it; it is about your reaction.”

His talks vary depending on the client. He could discuss communication and life in the marines or the pressures in life; just trying to “deliver the best service possible.”

Grant states he’s sportier now than he was before the accident, “which is funny”.

“I loved football as a kid but when I joined the marines I played with my mates but never played competitively. I was always fit and loved running, but I wouldn’t class myself as a runner, I never did any races or anything.”

He admits “being in the marines you are more active than the average person, but I didn’t have a particular sport. It’s crazy to think it took me losing a leg to do my first triathlon, to sky dive and to join mountaineers and climb some of the highest mountains in the world.”

It took something “dramatic” for Grant to realise all the things he wanted to give a go and believes “the positives outweigh the negatives” of his injury.

Even with one leg, Grant remains fitter than the majority of people with two.

“When I was training for my 10K I was running five times a week and going to the gym five times a week, it was quite intensive. I can’t compare myself to a normal person who might be working 9-5 and happy sitting on their a*se, but I wake up, take my dog for a walk and keep active throughout the day.”

Grant remains fitter than a few of his sporting heroes he had growing up, beating the likes of Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler in races.

“That has been one of the cool things that has happened on the way, that I’ve got to the position where heroes of mine are turning round and doing favours for me, like going for a run with them. They don’t ask me because they feel sorry for me; they do it because I’m their mate, it’s not out of pity, it’s out of admiration.”

It is an added bonus for the life-long Liverpool fan that “people whose name you sang and cheered for, turn round and say ‘it’s nice to meet you Andy.’”

The support from people, like Carragher, is an example of the help he has received from the community in Bootle, the area of Merseyside he grew up in.

“It helped keep me grounded. Life has been crazy, but I can go to the local pub and people still talk to me the same and it’s nice to know they’re really proud. The people may not have much, but they always have that sense of pride.”

Grant is defiant and states he wouldn’t change anything about what has happened to him, “the only advice I would give is to enjoy the good times more.”

Despite achieving so much, Grant’s plans haven’t stopped yet. He is going back to the drawing board for something new next year.

For now, his aim is to “make the book and my motivational talks as successful as possible and keep sharing the message.”

[structure-and-mayhem]

"You're disgusting! How can a hollow, mindless creature fill me to the brim with such wretching disgust? Get away from me!" she said.

The infant would not retreat. It pursued her with whimpers and a look of longing until her arms and clenched fists were damp on the inside from sweat.

"For fuck's sake! Get this piece of shit away from me!" she pleaded to no one as she tried to push the infant away, her arms flailing like sedated snakes.

The room was nearly bare. It was just her, the child, a chair, and a mirror. She only barely noticed that there was no door because the child began to assault her as soon as she was conscious. Every alarm in her body blared at the intrusion of the infant. Panic was setting in.  

She hadn't considered that she could use the chair to smash the infant's frail, soft body. The chair was wooden, small, and sturdy. Even a disabled amputee with one limb could use it to bludgeon multiple infants at once.

She also hadn't considered that the mirror could be taken off the wall and used similarly. It was only as big as her head. If not as a blunt weapon, she could have broken the glass and used a piece to pierce the infant. There were a number of ways to solve her problem.

None of these solutions entered her mind, however. She was in a state of panic, after all. She had awoken alone and naked and sitting in an uncomfortable wooden chair with a terrifying creature that wouldn't leave her be. She could only think of escape. 

Somehow, she then realized there was no door. There was no way out. The panic blazed to a greater fervor.

She wanted to address the most obvious problem of her situation, but the fucking baby wouldn't stop and she fucking hated babies.

She could feel the malevolence swirling in her gut and spreading its sharp, bony tentacles around her brain. It grew and grew, tightening its grip around her organs, constricting her diaphragm, suffocating her soul, and bringing a horrifyingly calm order to the chaos as her vision began to turn bloody red.

Her fists suddenly unclenched. She let out a roar that made the child rear backwards in fear. She chased it to the corner of the room, grabbed it by the throat, and began to squeeze. Its eyes began to water and protrude from their sockets. Its tongue dangled from its mouth. Its body began to go limp as she let out another blood curdling yawp.

Everything stopped.

Time stopped. Existence stopped. Darkness consumed the light that illuminated the pitch black emptiness which fulfills all that will never be. Before, after, and then, finally, again, it started.

She slowly came to. Like a needle placed delicately on a vinyl record, consciousness streamed. Reality sat in its most comfortable seat and began to listen.

"Where am I?" she asked herself. At least, she thought she had asked herself. The voice that asked was not in the least familiar to her. In fact, it wasn't her voice at all.

"Who are you?" it asked.

"Who are you talking to?" she asked, startled at the recognition of her own voice.

"I'm talking to you," it replied in her voice.

Whose voice was this? 

"Who I am..." she thought to herself, "I don't know."

"All I know is that I am here and I don't know why," she said quietly.

"That is all you have ever and will ever know.”

[mayorgalvan]

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By myself Wish my partner would watch with me With a partner With someone else Not into porn movies Profile SettingsShow free videos on my profile Yes No Show Favorite videos on my profile Yes No Show my last online time on Xtube Yes No Show my location on Xtube Yes No Email SettingsEmail me when someone comments on my content Yes No Email me when I receive a private message Yes No Email me when I received a friend request Yes No Email me XTube's newsletters Yes No Email me XTube's discounts and promotions Yes No Blocked UsersGale1234 iloveurcock ryuncum Block UserAdd Change Profile Change Email Change Password Edit Profile Images Upload Introduction VideoAdd Performer IDs Add Performer IDs as Single Add Performer IDs as Couple Add extra Model IDsI am: Male Female I like: Male Female Search! MayorGalvan $ 7.90 Add money Videos Amateurs Categories Live Sex! 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[domysticmessengerhcs]

Hi! I really like your blog! And I request if that's okay! Can you write the reactions that the RFA would have when they see that MC doesn't have a limbs. And mc never told them because "you guys never asked". Thank you!!

I’m not too sure what you mean by “doesn’t have a limbs” (any limbs? a limb?) so I’m just going to go with amputee MC who’s missing an arm ^^; Note: MC’s prosthetic is smth like Kaitlyn Dobrow’s if you’re wondering. Her channel is rad as heck so check iT OUT

Yoosung

The moment he set eyes on you, he tears up and you’re like “??!!??”

“I didn’t know… But it’s okay!!! I think you’re still really pretty. And your arm looks cool…” A sniffle, then: “Did you not tell us because… you felt self-conscious…?” 

In truth, he usually feels pretty damn insecure about himself after hanging around wealthy, talented and attractive people all day. His insecurities suddenly looks super small compared to what you must have to deal with, though. So he prepares this entire speech inside his head and you’re like:

“Oh it just didn’t occur to me to tell you guys. You never asked haha.” And goes on smiling, radiating confidence and beauty and grace and boi he’s smi t t en. He goes on crying, the speech turning into some babble about his fears and how he admires your ability to go through life being chill af. You hug him lots tbh pls hug him lots he trie s  hi s  b est

Jaehee

She doesn’t comment on it at first, trying to Play It Cool. But you can tell she has questions and often acts awkwardly because she isn’t sure how to approach it. So you casually bring it up in a joking manner.

“Can you open the jam jar for me? Metal hands sucks at lids.” 

She rushes over immediately and the moment the jar lid pops open, the questions comes flowing. “Does it hurt? What happened? If you don’t mind me asking!! You don’t have to reply, of course… Is it alright if I hug you like this? How about like this? Does it get in the way when I do this?” Jaehee pls how are you gonna reply if she doesn’t stop talki n g

She listens to your answers with no judgement, only curiosity. Her eyes lights up with love and adoration with every passing moment as she grows to understand you more. There’s still some sadness in her though, wishing that she could do more for you even after you reassures her that you are mostly content with how things are. 

ZEN

He smiles naturally when he greets you and treats you like a princess. Sweet words and pet names flow like honey from his lips and you soak it all up. For the first time, you feel truly precious, though you do wonder if he’s only so calm because he’s an actor.

The first comment he makes on your arm is: “Can I sign my name on it?”

It’s followed by a bit of flustered rambling. “Y’know, like, with a sharpie? When I had a cast on my leg a lot of people wanted to sign it— of course, I’m not saying that it’s the same thing I just… Is this a dumb question?” You manage to assure him that he’s fine, and laughed. A lot. Poor boy doesn’t know what to do with himself. You ask him why he doesn’t seem surprised with your arm even though you forgot to tell everyone and he blushed.

“It’s not that… I am surprised. And I want to ask you a lot of questions but I don’t want it to get in the way of our first meeting, you know? I wanted this to be perfect.” 

Jumin

He does know quite a lot about disabilities, given that his best friend is currently blind and he has had experience with customers/clients/employees who are disabled before. So there isn’t any awkwardness when you two meet, and you soon realise that his protectiveness has nothing to do with your missing arm.

“Jumin, It’s fine. I’m safe. I’ll call you as soon as I get home, alright?” It’s only then that he glances at your prosthetic.

“Alright. However, I do wish you’d wear the dress for the party. You’d look stunning in it. And…” He pulls out a box, opens it and presents it to you. In it is an arm that ooks like it has been meticulously designed by a team of artists, not a hospital. A piece of royalty— emerald green highlighted by gold, carved into the shape of a shoulder guard that looks like it should belong to a medieval armour. And, you’d later find, it fits you perfectly.

“I contacted your doctor for guidance.” He says with a light shrug, cheeks dusted a light pink. He luvs u lots

707/Saeyoung

O boi he does n o t get a nice reveal.

You have been using one of your more realistic prosthetics so he never noticed from the cameras. And he mostly stays out of your medical documents out of respect for your privacy, only paying attention to your criminal records and schooling when doing your background check. His reveal comes midway through your scuffle with Unknown— a sharp yank and a faulty clasp results in your arm literally ripping off your body.You’ve never seen someone so shocked and genuinely horrified before.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He jumps straight to the point after the danger has passed and you could see leftover panic shaking his entire frame. Your reason dies in your throat— you’ve honestly just forgotten and scared him half to death because of it. Tears started to fall from under his glasses, thoughts racing faster than his heartbeat of what he could’ve and should’ve done, but never did to ensure your safety. “Do you know how much danger you were in? If he had known before I did, he could have taken advantage of that. He c-could have taken you.”

“I—… I’m so sorry.” o no ur crying too :c

He halts in his pacing, stuttering breaths calming down as he looks at you. No, the only one to blame is him and his incompetence. “I’m sorry I—” He wilts. “I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

[monicamichellefairytales]

Subjects Covered For Part 2Tattoos and DisabilityActivism and DisabilityNew Mother WorldLife Hacks for Disabled MomsDisability Temper TantrumsLabor and Delivery Disability and RacePregnancy and DisabilityInfant and Maternal Mortality Rates for Black WomenMedical Racism and Ableism in the Medical SystemDisability and CustodyBirth StoryDisabled MerchWhen you get to be the test for a surgeon’s sewing skillsDisabled When Your Baby is in NICU Hospitals Need to Prepare for Disabled MothersDoctors Appointments and WheelchairsNightlife and the Danger to Dignity When Clubs and Bars Are Not Accessible HR620 Law The ADA is not what you think it isMEET WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!!!!!Ignorance is a Curable ConditionThe Straw Ban Please Talk To Disabled People Before Making am OpinionPlease get me a Super Crip ShirtI Was Mixed up and Wrong About Kenya. I am sorry please take a look at Kenya’s Disability LegislationCarrying Us In Our Wheelchairs Does NOT Count As AccessIf It Is One the Ground It is On Our Hands. Wheel LifeTraffic and Driving in the City is a Good Prep for Website/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram Handlewww.fourwheelworkout.com, @4wheelworkoutName *Tiara Simmons-MerciusDisorder InfoWhat is your disorder? *I have a disability. Not a disorder. I am a double below-knee amputee. Three fingers on my right hand are partially amputated. I have invisible disabilities as well: Neuropathy and paraplegiaAt what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *1Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *I've always been disabled so, I guess the person I am now is who I've always been, or was growing into.What would you do if you were not dealing with your invisible illness?  *Much of the same things as I do now: Advocacy, activism. Working or trying to work. My invisible disabilities only affect me slightly more than my visible. What would you like people to know about your daily life? *It is not a life to be pitied. Yes, I have barriers, but my disabilities are not the barriers, even though they can be draining. Lack of access is; ableism is. What would make living and moving in the world easier for you? *More accessibility. Less pity. More opportunities for involvement.Do you have any life hacks? *Not really. I use anything I can find to help me reach items. I use my wheelchair footplates to help me transport items. What kind of support do you get from family or friends? *My husband is a huge help. He gives me a lot of support both physical and emotional.Have you ever had someone not believe you have an invisible illness because of your appearance and if so are there any examples that stand out?  *Sometimes. But I think what makes it more believable is the fact that I have visible disabilities, so it's not a stretch that I'd have more (to those people)How has your chronic illness affected your relationships? *I'm not as social as I used to be. So people do not call me or invite me out as much.Is there anything you are afraid to tell people in your life? *I'm generally pretty open. It's not so much WHAT I'd tell them, it's the HOW. I'm also straightforward and tend to just say what needs to be said.Does the fact that your disease is invisible change how healthcare professionals treat you? *My HCPs put in my records that I'm a chronic pain patient, but they are just paying me lip service I think.What is your best coping mechanism? *Sleep. Sleep and music.What are you the most concerned about and the most hopeful for in the future? *Concerned about being a disabled parent. But also, that's what makes me hopeful. My future career as a lawyer also fits into both categories.Is there anything you *don't* want to talk about? Is there a subject we should avoid during the interview? *Not sure. I will politely let you know during the interview.Is there anything you want to make sure we talk about during the interview? Like an organization you want to promote or something specific that you deal with.I want to be able to speak about medical racism. Being a Black disabled woman navigating healthcare and society.What is the hardest and/or best lesson your condition has taught you?Best lesson: I don't have to do everything.What is the best purchase under $100 that helped your lifeCrockpot. Go figure.RecommendationsCoSleeperSwaddle Me by Monica Michelle

[newssplashy]

Technology is fast changing how people with disabilities get to and then navigate airports, train and bus stations. But technology can go only so far: Its advantages usually stop at the door of the plane, train or bus.

Consider the experience of Michael May, who is blind and typically flies at least once a week.

May, the executive director of Envision’s BVI Workforce Innovation Center, which provides employment training for the blind and visually impaired in Wichita, Kansas, says he uses airline apps at home to secure his boarding pass, takes Uber to the airport and gets dropped off as close as possible to the Transportation Security Administration’s Precheck. (He has also enrolled in the Clear program to speed his way through airport security.)

But then he hits what he calls a void — he has to ask someone how to get to the security line. And in frenzied airports, he does not always get a response.

“I’m looking forward to having indoor navigation to the point where I can at least get to Precheck,” he said.

May has a cane and Jonnie, his golden retriever guide dog. He also draws on screen-reader software and smartphone apps. He uses the free app Be My Eyes, which relies on a network of 1.2 million volunteers to provide directions through the airport via live video. In addition, he uses Aira, a monthly subscription app that uses a smartphone camera or a pair of glasses outfitted with a camera to livestream video to an agent, who then provides navigational instructions. Ten airports, including ones in Seattle, Boston, Houston, Memphis and Minneapolis, currently offer zones where blind and visually impaired travelers can download the Aira app and use the service without charge. (Several more airports are expected to offer complimentary service this summer.)

David Wilson, the director of innovation at the Sea-Tac Airport, says blind travelers no longer have to rely on wheelchair attendants. “With Aira, they can get up and go to a restroom, go to a concession,” he said. “It’s independence.”

Still, the Americans with Disabilities Act, which became law in 1990, applies to airports and ground transportation — trains, buses and subways. But airline cabins are governed by the Air Carrier Access Act, which was enacted in 1986 and does not carry as many accessibility requirements. If, for example, someone uses a motorized wheelchair, it must be checked at the end of the jetway. Wheelchair assistants, often contractors, help the passenger transfer to a wheelchair that can fit down the narrow aisles and then to their seat (a foldable aisle wheelchair is also kept on board).

“The most accessible feature on an airplane is the fact that the arm rest lifts up to get in and out of the seat, and that’s about it,” said Lee Page, a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair full time and serves as the senior advocacy director for Paralyzed Veterans of America.

A spokesman for Delta Air Lines, Anthony Black, said its gate agents must complete a “comprehensive accessibility curriculum” for travelers with disabilities that includes training on everything from handling service animals to transfer assistance onto a plane. A spokesman for United Airlines, Charles Hobart, said the carrier had a 24-hour accessibility desk and also trained all of the employees who work directly with customers on how to assist passengers with disabilities. Southwest Airlines said all of its customer representatives were trained to help customers with disabilities, and it maintained a video relay and a Teletypewriter number for deaf travelers.

But disabled travelers, including Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, an associate professor of philosophy at Gallaudet University, who is deaf, say airlines could improve their training. She said she would like airlines to do a better job of reassuring deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers that “our presence has been noted and that we will not be overlooked.”

Sheryl Stroup, a safety expert for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said flight attendants were responsible for communicating directly with disabled passengers to make sure their needs are met. “You need to go ask them, ‘How can I best assist you?'” she said.

Blankmeyer Burke says she wears a brightly colored piece of clothing or a distinctive hat so that she is readily identifiable and introduces herself to the ticketing crew at the airport, train station or bus terminal with a note.

“I print out a script that tells the flight attendants a little bit about my communication needs and abilities, where I am sitting, and also notes my beverage preferences and my destination,” she said in an email. “In this document, I explicitly state that I want important announcements written and I ask who will be responsible for communicating with me in case of emergency.”

Blankmeyer Burke says she carries a small notebook or types inquiries on her smartphone and travels with a flashlight for lip reading.

Not everyone has a smartphone, and some people say they prefer the simplicity of human interaction even if they are tech savvy.

Bill McCann, the founder and president of Dancing Dots, a company in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, that creates software to help blind and visually impaired musicians read, write and record music, said he navigated through the airport or an Amtrak station using the sighted-guide technique. He takes the arm of either the wheelchair attendant, a fixture at airports nationwide, or a member of Amtrak’s Red Cap team. At airports, he follows the attendant through TSA Precheck to his gate, keeping his cane out so people can identify him as a blind person.

“It’s a convenience,” he said. “It’s a timesaver. It reduces some of stress of being in airports.” He said he viewed airports as “just below hospitals in terms of stress level.” At the gate, McCann said, he typically preboards — an option airlines must extend to anyone with a disability.

An accessibility consultant, John Morris, a triple amputee based in Orlando, Florida, uses a motorized wheelchair. He writes a wheelchair travel blog to share tips about air, bus and train travel. Since 2014, he said, he has taken more than 600 flights and over 70 trips combined on Greyhound or Megabus.

On Greyhound, an electronic lift carries the wheelchair user to a seating area that can accommodate two wheelchairs. But Morris said there was no uniform setup, and this caused delays. “Oftentimes,” he said, “I find myself being the one to educate the driver on how to operate the particular lift that’s set up on their bus.”

Delays can also make for an uncomfortable ride. When fellow passengers groan, Morris said, he feels like a “target sitting in the middle of the bus, and I have nowhere to go.”

The National Federation of the Blind last year filed a lawsuit against Greyhound saying that neither the bus operator’s website nor its app was accessible for the blind, putting it in violation of both the ADA and state laws. The case is in mediation.

“We are making our website and app more accessible to customers who use screen-reader software,” said Lanesha Gipson, a spokeswoman for Greyhound. Although the company requires its drivers to demonstrate their ability to operate wheelchair lifts, she said the lifts are “very fickle” and sometimes fail.

On Megabus, which operates two-level buses and is owned by Coach USA, wheelchairs roll on and off the first level via a portable ramp. Morris said he preferred this low-floor access because it “eliminates a break point.”

Still, he said, the grade of the ramps at some stations, including in Orlando, is too steep to be compliant with the disabilities act. He said he also worried about the safety straps. “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden the Megabus and felt as though the straps that lock my wheelchair down are secure,” he said.

Sean Hughes, a spokesman for Megabus, said that the ramp and wheelchair straps were designed “to meet all ADA requirements” and that drivers take a mandatory training class to practice loading, tying down and unloading wheelchairs.

One advantage that both trains and buses offer over airplanes, Morris said, is the direct connection from city center to city center. Trains, he said, also provide one of the most accessible ways to travel. Amtrak lays down a ramp on train platforms to bridge the gap at the station for wheelchairs. There is also a mechanical lift to hoist a wheelchair user into or out of the train if it is not level with the platform. On Northeast corridor trains, there is space at the end of each car to accommodate wheelchair users. Overall, Morris said, he preferred the dedicated wheelchair space and the accessible bathrooms on Amtrak’s Acela service.

Airplanes are another story. Twin-aisle planes, typically used for international flights, are required to have an accessible lavatory. But single-aisle airplanes, a staple of domestic routes, rarely have one. Delta says it will have the Bombardier CS100, its first narrow-body aircraft outfitted with an accessible lavatory, in service next January.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Joshua Brockman © 2018 The New York Times

via NewsSplashy - Latest Nigerian News Online,World Newspaper

[monicamichellefairytales]

I breathe. I cry. I smile. I dream…just like you. Just like you I have goals that I work towards everyday. They may be centered around disability rights/justice, health, relationships, or my career. But I have them. And just like you I hit bumps in the road. Sometimes I slam full-force into the biggest obstacles around me. — Tiara Simmons-MerciusOn a daily basis I confront ableism, racism, sexism, well…most of the -isms. The thing is, it’s not just the obstacle around you, but how you tackle it. Do you sit in front of it with your face in your hands because there’s nothing you can do? Or do you observe it and turn it around in your mind as your figure out a way around it? I fall in both categories. Sometimes, some obstacles and stumbling blocks just seem too big to handle but, there’s got to be a way, a solution.I choose activism.— Tiara Simmons-MerciusI am here to be me. Not your inspiration. — Tiara Simmons-Mercius If you are confused about what “inspiration porn is please visit this page on Tiara’s website https://ift.tt/371i3wz of #disabledwomanism & #WithoutTheADA Website/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram Handlewww.fourwheelworkout.com, @4wheelworkoutName *Tiara Simmons-Mercius Subjects Covered in Part 1New Motherhood and WheelchairsMedical racismAccess and job and education Disabled Jesus Camp Social Media and DisabilityParenting a Disabled ChildDisability TwitterEnvironmentalism and Disability Straw BansRemoving Shame from Ignorance (We can all learn more)Getting Older and DisabilityTwitter to Fight or Not to FightRepresentation in the Legal SystemRace and DisabilityCollege Experience and DisabilityPLEASE ProgramGeneral and Special Education in Public SchoolsHow to Advocate for Yourself and OthersTattoos and Reclaiming Your Disabled Body Disorder InfoWhat is your disorder? *I have a disability. Not disorder. I am a double below-knee amputee. Three fingers on my right hand are partially amputated. I have invisible disabilities as well: Neuropathy and paraplegiaAt what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *1Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *I've always been disabled so, I guess the person I am now is who I've always been, or was growing into.What would you do if you were not dealing with your invisible illness?  *Much of the same things as I do now: Advocacy, activism. Working or trying to work. My invisible disabilities only affect me slightly more than my visible.What would you like people to know about your daily life? *It is not a life to be pitied. Yes, I have barriers, but my disabilities are not the barriers, even though they can be draining. Lack of access is; ableism is. What would make living and moving in the world easier for you? *More accessibility. Less pity. More opportunities for involvement.Do you have any life hacks? *Not really. I use anything I can find to help me reach items. I use my wheelchair footplates to help me transport items.What kind of support do you get from family or friends? *My husband is a huge help. He gives me a lot of support both physical and emotional.Have you ever had someone not believe you have an invisible illness because of your appearance and if so are there any examples that stand out?  *Sometimes. But I think what makes it more believable is the fact that I have visible disabilities, so it's not a stretch that I'd have more (to those people)How has your chronic illness affected your relationships? *I'm not as social as I used to be. So people do not call me or invite me out as much.Is there anything you are afraid to tell people in your life? *I'm generally pretty open. It's not so much WHAT I'd tell them, it's the HOW. I'm also straightforward and tend to just say what needs to be said.Does the fact that your disease is invisible change how healthcare professionals treat you? *My HCPs put in my records that I'm a chronic pain patient, but they are just paying me lip service I think.What is your best coping mechanism? *Sleep. Sleep and music.What are you the most concerned about and the most hopeful for in the future? *Concerned about being a disabled parent. But also, that's what makes me hopeful. My future career as a lawyer also fit into both categories.Is there anything you *don't* want to talk about? Is there a subject we should avoid during the interview? *Not sure. I will politely let you know during the interview.Is there anything you want to make sure we talk about during the interview? Like an organization you want to promote or something specific that you deal with.I want to be able to speak about medical racism. Being a Black disabled woman navigating healthcare and society.What is the hardest and/or best lesson your condition has taught you?Best lesson: I don't have to do everything.What is the best purchase under $100 that helped your lifeCrockpot. Go figure. by Monica Michelle