The world is not designed for people with sitting disabilities. But what would a world designed for sitting disabilities actually look like?
Category: Sitting Disabilities
6 Tips for Making Temporary Lodgings Sitting Disability-Friendly
I asked what other people did to make their temporary living spaces sitting-disability friendly. These are great tips to know before you leave home.
Julie’s Story: Traveling, Teaching, and Carrying Chronic Pain
Julie’s pain tolerance has been extensively tested through nearly two decades of severe and often inexplicable pain. While she’s made some concessions (no driving, for example), she hasn’t let pain stop her from following her interests, wherever they lead.
Behind the Tapestry: A Memoir of Pudendal Neuralgia
In her recently published memoir, Behind the Tapestry: My Discovery of God’s Grace Amidst Chronic Pain and Loss, Maryanne Rose Peluso tells the story of how she entered a Catholic convent at age 32, and spent eight years trying to balance the demands of religious life with the limitations of chronic pain. This is a condensed interview with the author.
Linda’s Story: A Public Relations Professional Struggles to Explain Her Sitting Pain
Linda V, a former public relations professional, struggles to explain her sitting disability. And without understanding, it’s hard to secure the social grace necessary to function in a world designed for sitting.
There’s a Chronic Pain Narrative, and I’m Off Script
Illnesses are supposed to follow a narrative arc. You get sick, you get treated, you get better. Except, sometimes chronic pain departs from this pattern.
Bipedalism: The Downsides of an Upright Life
I always thought that bipedalism was the boring part of human evolution. But then I realized that the transition to bipedalism is still causing health problems in humans, and the subject got a lot more interesting.
What Did Scientists Learn from Studying Dead Flamingoes?
Flamingoes standing abilities have long fascinated scientists. How can these animals balance their bodies on their long, spindly legs? How can they do this even while sleeping?
Francesca’s Story: With No Diagnosis, How Do You Fight for Your Health?
As a young adult, Francesca P. would ignore her minor hurts, and they would go away. Until, one day, they didn’t.
Claire’s Story: It’s Not Easy to Loosen up when You Have Stiff Person Syndrome
Ten years ago, Claire M. had the contours of her life plotted out. She worked part-time doing customer service and other odd jobs for her husband’s employer, but the better part of her energy was spent taking care of her family. Her oldest son, born in 2002, had a rare genetic anomaly. A section of his DNA had been duplicated, which caused autism-like behaviors, a deformity in one foot, and an inability to sweat. Claire’s younger son wasn’t classified as special needs, but like all children, the six-year-old boy needed attention and love. Claire hadn’t expected to become a full-time…