Imposter Syndrome Lesbian

I still don’t feel like a “real” lesbian. I haven’t gone on dates yet. I haven’t found a girlfriend yet. I haven’t had sex with woman for more than 10 years. In many ways, I still feel like I’m faking it, like someone will find me out.

Oh SNAP!

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program under the Department of Agriculture that helps low-income households buy groceries, commonly known as food stamps. SNAP is managed at the state level, with different states having slightly different requirements for participation.

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Generally speaking, SNAP is a program designed for children and elderly people. The majority of households receiving benefits had children (75%) or elderly people (16%). People who are between 18 and 50 years of age who do not have a verified disability and are not caretakers for children or disabled adults fall into the category called Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). ABAWDs are limited to three months of food assistance unless they are working or participating in approved training programs at least 80 hours a month. 

Guest Post: “But AAC Increases Speech!”

Today’s guest post was written by Alyssa Hillary, an autistic activist and masters student who writes about autism related subjects. This post first appeared on Alyssa’s blog Yes, That Too and has been reprinted with permission. General information on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can be found on the American Speech-Language Hearing Association website.

So this is one of the big arguments I see in favor of giving people who don’t talk, or who only talk a little, access to augmentative and alternative communication (or, as sometimes I think of it, maybe-actually-working communication. Because most of the time, if parents and teachers are considering AAC, that means that the communication that the person has is not working. Maybe it’s a matter of not knowing all the words, maybe it’s a matter of other people ignoring the behavior side, there’s always multiple sides in a communication breakdown but that doesn’t change the not-workingness.)

Beauty Post: Black and Rose Eyes

Today’s look incorporates shadow blending and eyeliner techniques for a dramatic combination. 

Indistinguishable From Peers – An Introduction

Today’s guest post was written by Neurodivergent K, an autistic writer, speaker, and gymnastics coach, and a friend and mentor of mine. This post originally appeared on Radical Neurodivergence Speaking and has been reprinted with permission. 

The stated goal/implied promise of many behavioral programs “for autism”, based on UCLA’s Young Autism program of the 80s, is “indistinguishabilitly from peers”. What this implies, though cannot say flat out, is that the subject of the interventions will be NT. Well, not really be NT. But they will look NT.

Except, not really. No promises are made as to neurotypicality if one looks at the definitions used to make these claims. The definition used in the Young Autism Project? Placement in a typical kindergarten class and being promoted yearly. More recent literature has used the definition of being placed in regular education and having at least one non disabled friend. How many Autistic folks do you know who meet this definition? And yet how many of us are so not like our peers in most other ways?

Check-Ins for Health

I have a loud brain and quiet body. If it weren’t for my disabilities and biological needs, I’m not sure I’d even be aware of my body at all. I have a thinking mind that is constantly going over things, tying new ideas together, and considering possibilities. I also have an ill mind that is constantly fretting over things, tying nonsensical worries together, and dreading impossibilities. I’ve had intrusive thoughts for as long as I can remember, and chronic physical pain since puberty. Between the two, I find myself trying to check out by keeping distracted with multi-tasking and busy work. 

Beauty Post: Holiday Sparkle

Tis the season for sparkling eye makeup!  Whether you’re going to a holiday party or just brightening up the winter days,  you’ll want to know this foiling technique for getting the most shine from your pigments. 

Guest Post: Catholic Hospitals Should be Banned

Today’s guest post is written by Beth Presswood. This post originally appeared on her blog Atheist Beth and has been reprinted with permission. Content note for discussion of medical horrors, death, pregnancy loss. 

I believe that Catholic hospitals should be banned. If the Catholic Church wants to set up a hospital, that’s fine. But Catholic means it follows Catholic Health Directives. These are based ondoctrine and not patient health. No hospital should be allowed to put ANYTHING above patient health.

If I Had Enough Money

I wouldn’t spend most of my time stressing about not having enough money.

I would have a car.

I could always afford food.

I could make and get to doctors appointments.

I could actually get treatment for my multiple disabilities.

I wouldn’t have had to go off my meds because getting to a psychiatrist is an impossibility.

I would buy a new LEGO set every week to play with my child.

I would have enough furniture. I don’t have a couch or end tables or chairs. I have beds.

I would probably be stoned a lot because it’s Colorado and I have to under medicate because it’s expensive.

I would give money to friends so they wouldn’t have to freak out either.

I’d have new clothes that actually fit, from under clothes to coats.

I would have more than two pair of shoes. So would my child.

I would live in a safe neighborhood with good schools without having to sacrifice everything else to barely afford it.

I would have a gym membership.

I would have a babysitter.

My child would have his own cell phone.

I could afford to make friends and date and pay my own way instead of feeling like a burden.

I could have a life.

But I’m poor so that’s nothing but a dream.

Beauty Post: Casual Femme Fatale

This morning I wanted to create a look for a femme fatale on her day off from being an international superspy/assassin. I decided on contouring, light gray eyes, and bold red lips for the look.