Having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome sometimes feels about the equivalent of being composed of jello and wet spaghetti. Nothing stays where its supposed to. Literally every single cell in the body is floppy, so fingers are definitely an issue for many of us. I can almost guarantee that for the majority of us, writing is not only slow and painful but nearly impossible at times. FIne motor skills? What even are those? An EDSer surely doesn’t have any of those. Even typing which is far easier than writing, is painful and daunting at times. But last year I joined the population of shiny zebras by getting fitted for a set of Silver Rings Splints and they are beyond magical.
For those of you who have not heard of The Silver Ring Splint Company, they are a company that custom makes finger splints that look like elegant pieces of jewelry. Don’t believe me? Well I can’t even tell you how many compliments I’ve received for them. Nobody even suspects that they might possibly be medical. But more importantly, they work amazing! I still have hand pain and finger dislocations when performing fine motor skills and writing is definitely not something I look forward to but I have saved myself thousands of painful dislocations, I can open doors easier, type faster, write longer and hold objects in my hands without looking like an alien from a sic-fi movie. With the rings on my fingers actually look like fingers rather than tentacles!
The company is also family owned and the people are so sweet and helpful!
If you are having trouble with hand pain, clumsiness and dislocations please check out this amazing company!
I’m literally crying right now. I will be able to use my hands!!! As it stands I can’t do dishes, hold things, write, hold books, type, without pain or dislocation. Oh my gosh. This is a miracle.
@peaceypanic
those are gorgeous and that is amazing how well they’re working! signal boost!
I love these things. I use one for my thumb because due to arthritis I have very little strength/support in the joint and therefore often can’t do anything. My splint makes it possible for me to do my job, do the shit i need to do and not have as bad of pain.
these are so cool
omg the first ehlers danlos post I’ve seen, this makes me happy!
We love Siris Ring Splints (silverringsplints.com)! But we know not everyone has the same price points or style so we have a whole page of splints (and braces too) oer on PrettySick Supply so you can shop your own style and cost! And a lot of the folks we’ve found are others with EDS and hypermobility issues who support themselves by selling the splints they make!
Ah Mer Ah Su - the stage name of Star Amerasu. Her music style has been described as electropop and poptronic. Her music covers subject matter from failed relationships to drug abuse. She released her first full length album “Star” this year and has definitely earned her pop princess title.
Itsbambii - Youtuber and Hiphop/Rap artist. Her first album “Clean & Clear” was released last year and “My LGBT Story” is a must listen.
Kim Petras - This German pop artist has yet to release an album or EP, but has released 3 amazing singles this year. She says she draws inspiration for her music from early 00s pop and 1980s italo disco. She was covered extensively by the media after transitioning at a young age and has said she wants people to focus on her music, not her.
Quay Dash - This hiphop/rap artist has a whole amazing EP titled “Transphobic.” She’s said “I think talking about transgender issues (in her music) is important, but at the same time i’m here to make my music and do what I have to do. Her music is brazen and unapologetic and we all know lady rappers are the best rappers.
Shea Diamond - Pop/Soul singer who began performing at trans music festivals after her incarceration in a mens correctional facility. She released her first EP “Seen it all” this year, and “I am her” is a lovely and empowering track.
Miss Blanks - Australian hiphop/rap artist who’s spoken out about the sexism and double standards in Australia’s rap scene. In her words Miss Blank is “Unapologetic, fierce, and petty.” Her latest single “Good Good D” was released this year.
Sateen - The band name of Exquisite (a trans lesbian woman) and her wife Queen Sateen. The lesbian queer disco duo first got famous as a “het drag couple” in the New York queer scene. They released their self titled EP just last year.
Peppermint - the stage and drag name of Agnes Moore. She creates dance/electronica/house/and homo hop music. She was the first trans woman to ever be out prior to her appearance on Rupaul’s Drag Race. She’s collaborated on a bunch of new singles this year, and released her debut album last year!
She/Her/Hers - The stage name of folk punk artist Emma Grrrl. She just released her first album “Grrrl Angst” this year! “Gender is boring” is very catchy.
SOPHIE - Scottish Synth/“Hyperkinetic” pop artist and producer. Her debut album “Oil of every pearl’s un-insides” was released this year! She uses the Elektron Mononachine to create sounds similar to latex, bubbles, and plastic in her music.
A national patchwork of laws, rules and practices can make the voting process feel complicated at times. But those who run into issues shouldn’t give up.
“Don’t despair, just persist,” Ms. Pérez said. “People wait in line for iPhones and amusement park rides and things like that. This is a lot more important.”
Here’s a brief guide to help you prepare to cast your ballot.
Before you vote
Find out when and where to vote. In most states, polling places open at 6 or 7 a.m. and close at 7 or 8 p.m., but it’s important to check, as times can vary by location.
Avoid the lines. Because polling locations are generally busiest during the morning rush hour, at lunchtime and in the evening, those with flexible schedules might have better luck by voting very early, at midmorning or at midafternoon.
Research what to bring. About two-thirds of states expect residents to provide identification to vote, but requirements vary, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some states accept only photo IDs, while others accept alternatives. Some are strict, others more lenient. Voters who forget their IDs may still be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot.
First time voters who didn’t register in person or show ID before must show identification. This is according to federal law.
Read up on the ballot. It can be overwhelming to sift through all of the information and misinformation out there, but there are resources to help.
A good place to start is with state and local election offices, which often provide voter guides — with varying degrees of detail — online or by mail. Election officials often also publish sample ballots so voters know what to expect and can avoid confusion in the booth.
Several nonpartisan groups provide unvarnished voter information, too. Ballotpedia, a nonprofit encyclopedia written by a staff of researchers and writers, contains a wealth of information and maintains a sample ballot lookup. Similar tools are available through other organizations, including Vote411.org, Vote USA and BallotReady, to name a few. ProPublica, the nonprofit newsroom, maintains tools such as ElectionBot and Represent to help readers find information and articles on local issues and candidates.
Voters can also seek out endorsements from sources they trust, such as local newspapers, special interest groups and professional organizations.
At the polling place
Don’t be intimidated. The federal government and many states ban voter intimidation, which can take many forms. Examples include aggressively questioning an individual’s citizenship or qualifications to vote, falsely claiming to be an election official and spreading false information about voting requirements, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
To report intimidation, voters can notify local and state officials and call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or 888-VE-Y-VOTA in Spanish, or the Justice Department at 800-253-3931 and TTY line 877-267-8971.
Many states do allow certified poll monitors to observe the voting process, though. The monitors, who are trained, may have the authority to challenge a person’s voting qualifications, though they are not typically allowed to interact with individuals directly. A voter whose qualifications are challenged may still be allowed to vote after giving a sworn affidavit that they satisfy said qualifications.
Ask for help. Generally, election officials are prepared to accommodate the needs of all voters, including those with disabilities and those who need language assistance.
Voters with disabilities, for example, have the right to accessible polling places and voting booths; to bring a service animal into the polling place; to seek assistance from polling place workers; and to bring someone with them to vote, as long as that person is not an employer or union representative. See the EAC’s resources for voters with a disability.
Under federal law, more than 260 jurisdictions are required to provide some form of language assistance, according to the federal Election Assistance Commission. And many state and local jurisdictions do so on their own.
What do I actually do? If you’re curious to know what it is like to be at a polling station, just search for “voting machines” along with your state’s name on Google. This should give you ample material on the equipment at the station and how you’re expected to use it. If you don’t have the time, you can simply ask a poll worker who should help you navigate the station.
Stay in line. Advocates say that anyone in line to vote by the time the polls close should stick around. “As long as you are in line, you need to make sure that you stay and cast your ballot,” said Virginia Kase, the chief executive of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters.
Be thorough. Ballots can be confusing, so it’s important to read the directions, review the ballot and take your time. State and local election officials may provide sample ballots ahead of time so voters know what to expect and poll workers may be able to help, too.
Get a provisional ballot if necessary. Under federal law, nearly every state must provide provisional ballots to eligible voters denied access to the booth. While a handful of states are exempted, several offer the ballots anyway. And only three, Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire, offer none at all, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
If a voter fills out a provisional ballot, federal law also mandates that poll workers provide them with a piece of paper explaining what they need to do to have their ballot counted and how they can check if it has been counted.
“They need to demand that piece of paper and they need to check,” Ms. Pérez said.
Help, I still need more info!
Here are some helpful articles from reliable sources:
Even if you didn’t register to vote in time to vote in this year’s elections, register now anyway! It won’t help you this year, but it gets you ahead of the game for the next election so you’re ready to vote then. Do it now instead of procrastinating on it.
Can’t vote because you have to work?Check the laws in your state. Many states DO have laws that require employers to let you vote.
Can’t vote because you don’t have transportation?Lyft is currently offering rides free or at 50% off to anyone who needs to get to the polls. Uber is offering $10 off. Even many bike- and scooter-share companies are offering deals right now, and some cities (including Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Tampa) are making public transit free on voting day. And, chances are, you have friends who also need to vote, so see if you can carpool.
If you’re voting electronically, double, even triple-check every vote before submitting, even if you have an option to vote straight ticket. There have been cases where this doesn’t work as expected. If you can’t find your party candidate, make sure to check the next page as there have also been glitches (at least in my state) that push the Democratic candidate after the massive list of independent candidates.
If you’re voting on paper, check every side of every page to avoid missing any votes.
And most importantly, offer to take your friends, family, or co-workers with you to vote if they weren’t already planning to go.
“Yes, there is a superyachtinvestor.com. Go look at it and it will make you so angry, you could chew glass.”
we stan class traitors on this blog
Abigail Disney has no control or input on the operations of the corporation, she is a Disney heiress and, in that respect, nothing else. She puts her money towards philanthropy, especially women’s movements around the globe and peace organizations like Peace is Loud and the Global Fund for Women. She is a documentary filmmaker who explores these themes as well.
There are problematic family investments she earns money from that, legally, she cannot divest from. Instead, she donates these profits to charities that counter to those investments.
Reblogging this version because I needed to read this after watching the video
hey everyone. so I’m not feeling great or okay. and after paying my rent I’m left with four cents in my bank account and I still owe $87 in utilities and I have nothing left to eat. if anyone wants to help paypal.me/xandrachantal cashapp: $jocedun94
when the capitalists die out either thru global warming or revolution will we be able to start homegrown internet
been reading about dual power and how to grow my own tomatoes and i’m wondering how and if we’ll be able to start commie internet lol
like obviously the internet is this huge electric capitalist controlled hardware infrastructure thing so after all that shuts down is there a way to do it ourselves lol
i want to come home from a hard day on the communal allotment, kiss my Wife, crank up my generator, and start sharing meams!
GOOD NEWS: the homegrown commie internet is in the works! Across the world, people fighting against censorship and for a more democratic internet are building mesh networks (meshnets) of long-range wifi (LoRa)
Since wifi is just a standard for sending data through radio waves, and radio waves can go a pretty long way if you use ‘em right, it’s not that difficult to connect two computers by wifi from across town. Then you just keep adding more computers to the network and you’ve got internet!
As for sharing fresh mëmês, the network to go to is Scuttlebutt. Unlike most social media, Scuttlebutt posts are stored on your computer and sent directly to your friends’ computers (rather than being stored on the cloud and sent to a central server). It works just fine over traditional internet, but you can also view and interact with it offline, and it has protocols for connecting over any means that two computers can share information - that includes LoRa, as well as hardwired connections, sneakernet (basically mailing a USB stick back and forth), etc
What that means is you always know that your info is just as safe as the network it’s sent on and the computer that receives it - no one even theoretically has the ability to collect and sell it all. And, since it’s all run on your computer, there’s no servers to go down or companies to go out of business that could destroy the whole thing
You can read more about this kind of stuff here (or here if it’s cloudy in Barcelona)!
there’s also the work being done by the DCPT, left-behind Detroiters meshing together their neighborhoods to share overpriced high-speed connections among the community and producing these good good educational documents, especially this rad resource page. building meshnets to share a global uplink is very similar to building meshnets for the purpose of intracommunication and these resources are useful in both cases
i refuse to do anything “like a boss”, i believe this either would result in me reinforcing the class system by presenting myself as those vile oppressors of the working class, or it would result in me having my room suddenly invaded by some manner of videogame protagonist who would insist on fighting me to the death. i will never do things like a boss. thank you.
