aerik appreciates the beauty of slowing down.
Transcript
There was a way that like I had already had those experiences and was able to appreciate the beauty of slowing down and the beauty of – it’s like there are parts of myself I get to access in those spaces. There is like kind of deeply spiritual connected parts of myself that I get to access when I’m that sick and so I think that was something I was prepared for as well … And I think there’s a lot of kind of undoing the internalized ableism that tells me that I should be like everybody else, that I should be able to do what everybody else is doing. And now I just feel a lot of love for disabled community who have taught me a lot about what internalized ableism looks like and how to really cherish and appreciate myself for the things that I can do and really be critical of our societal expectations of all being able to do the same things, in the same way, at the same pace. So I think I have a stronger ground, although I think I’ll always be working on it, of acceptance of what I can do and a lot more creativity around – rather than just being like I can’t do that thing, it’s not accessible for me.
More from: aerik
More content
- Getting Care for Long COVID – aerikaerik found a naturopathic training college where they could get care.
- Symptoms of Long COVID – aerikFor aerik, losing the ability to read and write meant the loss of an important way of coping with disability.
- Complementary and Alternative Care – aerikaerik has complex health needs and can't afford private care. They were able to attend a free clinic at a naturopathic college.
- Advice to Policy Makers – aerikaerik thinks disability support systems don't reflect the reality of living with chronic illness.
- Seeking Information About Long COVID – aerikaerik describes how the crowd sourced information about potential treatments.
- Support From Family, Friends, Communities – aerikaerik has benefitted from vital practical and material support.
- Support From Family, Friends, Communities – aerikaerik draws on their longstanding connection with the queer and disabled communities.
- Additional Expenses – aerikaerik lives on low income and tells us how it feels to not have access to many treatment options.
- Coping Strategies and Self Care – aerikaerik appreciates the beauty of slowing down.
- Advice to Healthcare Providers – aerikaerik appreciates healthcare providers who see their patients as partners in care.