friendly reminder that if you have a constant internal monologue screaming at you to just do the thing but you’re *physically unable to* then you’re not lazy and you maybe instead have adhd

Yesterday I talked about how autistic people are often indecisive because they feel the need to gather as much information as possible to make a decision that will lead to the best possible outcome...

“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Autistic people experience negative consequences if they camouflage (e.g. burnout) & if they don’t camouflage (e.g. discrimination, bullying, etc). Amy Pearson #INSAR2024

No words left. I am angry, frustrated and upset at the neglect that eating disorder services and people affected by eating disorders are currently facing. This is up there as the most patronising, stock response I have ever received from a Minister

💬 “We don't all have the money to take a taxi every time we need to go somewhere.” The Paralympics are only 100 days away! But the inaccessibility of the Paris Metro system is dampening excitement. Only one of the 16 Metro lines is wheelchair-accessible. Leaving many disabled

One thing I think clinicians don’t consider WAY too often is that notes/health records are NOT gospel. They are not consistently true, factual and objective. In fact, they are often full of errors, assumptions and lies. E.g. I just looked at note from a recent appt that was >

The benefits system should be built on understanding and empathy. But it’s not. It’s a gruelling system that often makes people’s mental health worse. The next government must make benefits assessments work for people with mental health problems. 1/9

Our research shows that more than 40% of #ParentCarers have thought about suicide. Here's what we want policy makers & professionals (across health, social care & education) to do to ensure better support for disabled children and their families. #SEND #SuicidePrevention

So the government wants everyone in work. My autistic loved one would love a job, but despite their fantastic qualifications no employer wants to give them a chance. So if you want disabled people to work focus on employers first!

Want me to work? Well I might be able to do 3 hours per day... or 1... or 0... and I won't know until 30 minutes before I'm meant to start. And at any time I might need to stop and not come back, maybe for the day, maybe for the week, maybe longer. Still want to hire me?

Why is news that 70,000 men were found in a group chat about raping their own wives and girlfriends not a bigger story? Why does society pander to misogyny so much it ignores a huge bombshell like this? Women aren’t safe in their own homes. Gisele Pelicot wasn’t an exception.

A disabled person who goes to the gym, for a walk, out for a run maybe. Doesn't mean they aren't disabled. It might actually be the only thing they are able to do that day, but something they have to do to manage their disabilities. You can't judge someone based on a snapshot.

Reminder... The disabled people you see out and about, or doing things... You're probably only seeing those disabled people on their "good" days... Especially if their disability is a dynamic one. The "bad" days? You don't see them.

Me posting about how my autism makes me struggle to bathe once a week (it's usually more like twice a week, but that's really not the point) and someone responding with "🤢" is the perfect encapsulation of how much society truly doesn't "get" how autism is a literal disability.

No disabled person should be forced to keep working (when they're not well enough to) simply because they can't afford not to. Financial security should never be the deal-breaker, it should be a guarantee. If someone isn't able to work, they're not able to work.

Lack of community treatment Many patients I see do not need to be in A&E, many are there as a result of a failing primary care service. "I couldn't get a GP appointment, so I have come to A&E" is something I have heard too often whilst working. 2/20.

Many patients are presenting to A&E with conditions better treated in the community, however, as they lack access to services, they either cannot get treatment, or their condition deteriorates to a point that they need admission. Patients present like this daily. 3/20.

Lack of community care What many patients need, is for some close supervision in the community. Someone to stay with them, who can keep them fed and hydrated and support their recovery. As this provision is lacking, often they are admitted as "social admissions". 4/20.

These patients (many elderly) are then put through the ordeal of unnecessary hospital admission. Increasing the likelihood of them developing a new hospital acquired infection, or teams discovering non-symptomatic incidental findings that need treating/investigating. 5/20.

This means patients are waiting longer for assessment and treatment plans. This means patients are waiting longer for medication and interventions. This means patients are waiting longer for standard nursing care. Unacceptable yet accepted in modern Britain. 13/20.