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  • white woman with brown hair smiles at the camera. The picture shows her from the chest up and she is smiling. She's wearing a white top draped over a green one.
    Social connections | Strategizing for success

    To disclose or not to disclose your condition—it’s your question to answer

    ByMichele Harold March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

    This post is by a friend of mine, Michele Harold, who holds the subject of disclosure near and dear to her heart. “You’re always sick,” my coworker said to me as I entered the office.  I had called in sick the day before due to my disability. My disability causes chronic pain, fatigue, and low-grade…

    Read More To disclose or not to disclose your condition—it’s your question to answerContinue

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    Overcoming Obstacles | Getting Government assistance

    Shame and the social welfare system

    ByAlison Hayes July 24, 2020July 19, 2022

    Having a disability is nothing to be ashamed of. Being poor is nothing to be ashamed of. Getting help from our own government is nothing to be ashamed of. And yet, I’m sure you winced a little, internally, at one or more of these statements. Our society here in the US has put a lot…

    Read More Shame and the social welfare systemContinue

  • four people participating in the disability pride parade - an invisibly disabled black woman holding a sign reading 'Yes, and...", me, holding a sign that reads 'include disabled people in activism', a white woman in a wheelchair holding a sign reading 'the future is accessible, and another white woman beside her wearing a zebra-striped cap.
    Social connections | Strategizing for success

    Advocating for disability rights as a member of the community

    ByAlison Hayes June 21, 2019July 23, 2024

    So often, people with disabilities are pretty much automatically ignored, put down, or ostracized by our communities. There are a lot of contributing factors, but I want to talk about some of those factors here today, as well as discuss what we can do(as individuals) to help the greater disabled community. People with disabilities are…

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  • Stop mental health stigma!
    Taking care of yourself

    Stop mental health stigma!

    ByAlison Hayes May 4, 2018April 27, 2021

    This month is mental health awareness month! In honor of that, I intend to make sure that my posts for the month have more of a mental health focus. Today, I want to talk about the stigma that is placed on mental health, and what we can do to fight it off. So what is…

    Read More Stop mental health stigma!Continue

Meet The Author

Picture of Alison Hayes

Alison Hayes

As a person with a sometimes-invisible illness that straddles neurology and psychiatry (Functional Neurological Disorder), I've dealt with a lot of the stigma surrounding physical and mental illnesses and both visible and invisible illnesses. I want to help other people with disabilities to regain perspective and control over their lives through manageable steps and make their lives better, one step at a time.

Photography courtesy of Terry Manning(terrymakes.com)

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Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, lawyer, or therapist.  I am a person with a disability who has learned a lot about many aspects of living life with a disabling condition.  My posts are intended as jumping off points connected to the best knowledge I could find.  I cannot be held responsible for the decisions you make or the actions you take.  

For your reading pleasure

  • Functional Neurological Disorder(FND) (13)
  • Overcoming Obstacles (83)
    • Dealing with Doctors (31)
    • Getting Government assistance (36)
  • Strategizing for success (137)
    • Fabulous food (4)
    • Increasing your independence (13)
    • Social connections (33)
    • Taking care of yourself (76)
  • Uncategorized (3)

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