“I don’t know how you do it! I could never be chronically ill!”

We didn’t get a choice. No one asked our permission. Disability just happens. It can happen to you too.

We cope because we have no choice. We can’t trade our bodies in for new ones. We can’t “try harder” our way out of it.

“Unfortunately most people can’t process the lack of choice in the matter. They genuinely believe that we either want to be this sick, or could get better if we really ‘tried’. They believe they wouldn’t be able to handle what we go through, because they’re convinced they will never NEED to handle it. They’re the exception. Chronic illness won’t happen to them”

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/why-are-chronically-ill-people-forced

When I started The Disabled Ginger I sent it to my friends and family … as most of us do.

I was proud that I was finally standing up for disability rights. That I was taking my pain and putting it on the page in an effort to help others. That I had found something that lit a spark inside me.

Unfortunately, many of my friends didn’t feel the same way.

My disabilities are invisible, and I had become very good at hiding them. Apparently that’s what people expected of me, as they didn’t like this “new” version of Kelly.

Almost none of my friends subscribed. What’s worse, many stopped talking to me. Or would only reply in brief texts.

It’s almost been a year since I launched, and my circle is noticeably smaller. Many people I thought I was close with haven’t reached out for nearly 6 months.

When you find your purpose and your passion, it’s an incredible feeling. Hopefully people support you.

Not everyone will. And that’s ok.

It’s painful seeing so many relationships fade away. It hurts knowing they don’t see the value in me now that I’m “officially” disabled.

As painful as it is, it’s also a perfect example of why I became an advocate. Ableism is a huge problem. Being disabled can be incredibly lonely. I wanted to give a voice to those who haven’t yet found theirs.

In the process I’ve met incredible people from all over the world who inspire me to keep going. Who give me a reason to write every day. Who remind me of the compassion, love and goodness that’s still out there.

Thank you to each and every one of you. I couldn’t do this alone.

My latest looks at the reasons we hide, and what would happen if we all decided to stop hiding and show the world the realities of chronic illness:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/why-are-chronically-ill-people-forced

Hello! Please help us #disabled weirdos stay housed so we can live and create cool shit!

We're just your local cyberspace #Queer and #Native found/led #indie #workerOwned game and #art #collective #cooperative thing!

List of some of the things we're working on https://mastodon.art/@aldercone/114230695367687125

- https://ko-fi.com/aldercone/
- https://buymeacoffee.com/aldercone
- https://patreon.com/aldercone
- https://liberapay.com/heckinTech/

After 6 weeks of my bloodwork labs coming back in concern/precarious territory… my biweekly results from yesterday FINALLY look promising!!!! Things are trending in the right direction.

I am SO relieved.

We check again in 2 weeks, and if things are back to normal I might be able to start a new biologic for my RA around the beginning of May.

The clinic is letting me pay at a later date! Still in need of $160 to cover it all. Meds are taken care of for the time being, this will cover the rest of the appointment. Please help, I need to be able to continue treatment to stay alive and healthy and be able to work on my game.

@mutualaid #MutualAidRequest #MutualAid #Disabled #TransCrowdfund #disability #DisabilityMutualAid #DisabilityCrowdfund #IndigenousMutualAid #ChronicIllness #HelpFolksLive2025 #lgbt #crowdfund #intersex #gameDev #crowdfund #ChronicIllness #Fundraiser