Month: May 2017

X-Men: The Last Stand & Disability

For the most part, X-Men: The Last Stand was an entirely forgettable movie. (Too many plot devices, messy direction, and how many characters can you kill off in one film?)

Cyclops and Jean Grey from X-Men.
Why tho

But there was one scene which stuck with me, and resonates now that I have a chronic illness. Rogue and Storm are debating the ethics of a new drug which can remove (or “cure”) the powers of a mutant.

Rogue: Is it true? Can they cure us?
Prof. Charles Xavier: Yes, Rogue. It appears to be true.
Storm: No, Professor. They can’t cure us. You want to know why? Because there’s nothin’ to cure. Nothing’s wrong with you. Or any of us, for that matter.

Continue reading “X-Men: The Last Stand & Disability”

Ottobre 5/2016 #5 – vintage lines ribbed sweater

I’ve been inspired by the fabulous turtlenecks doing the rounds and decided to make one of my own. My Ottobre magazine stash provided the pattern (Ottobre 5/2016 #5 – vintage lines ribbed sweater) and the fabric was an old purchase from Joelle’s Fabric Warehouse on eBay.

Woman stands in garden archway. She wears a grey turtleneck skivvy, denim skirt and boots.

Continue reading “Ottobre 5/2016 #5 – vintage lines ribbed sweater”

Smile – The Dangers of Enforced Positivity

Warning: contains GIFs

It’s the bugbear of the chronically ill and disabled – that oft-repeated refrain, “why can’t you just think positive?” Not only is it disheartening to hear that your genuine challenges are the result of not thinking enough happy thoughts, this kind of enforced positivity can undermine the real, lived experiences of the disabled community, and be used as a tool to silence protest.

Spongebob Squarepants. Text: use your imagination.
Don’t you think that if I could have imagined my way out of this illness, I FUCKING WOULD HAVE ALREADY?

Continue reading “Smile – The Dangers of Enforced Positivity”

They can’t all be winners – Burda 6798

I don’t often see a lot of sewing failures posted online. Perhaps we’re more inclined to share successes, or maybe others don’t create quite as many wadders as I do. I certainly make my share of sucky garments, and this post is about one of them: Burda 6798 boyfriend jeans.

A woman wears baggy, unflattering jeans and a grey t-shirt.
These photos are only shared for services to sewing.

Continue reading “They can’t all be winners – Burda 6798”

“Chronic fatigue” vs chronic fatigue syndrome

May 12 is International ME/CFS and FM Awareness Day, and throughout the month I am sharing posts which shed a bit more light on these misunderstood illnesses. For more, check out #May12BlogBomb, #MEAwarenessDay and #MillionsMissing on Twitter and Instagram.

 

One of the most common misconceptions about ME/CFS is the difference between the specific illness, chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and other types of fatigue. This simple misunderstanding snowballs into real challenges for ME/CFS sufferers, who have to contend with people’s assumptions that they are not seriously unwell, but just tired. Continue reading ““Chronic fatigue” vs chronic fatigue syndrome”

#May12BlogBomb – Heartbroken

A portrait of a woman. She looks down with her eyes closed.
Artwork by Beth Raven.

May 12 is International ME/CFS and FM Awareness Day, and today bloggers are joining together in a #May12BlogBomb to raise awareness of these illnesses. I should be writing about the what ME/CFS really is, the debilitating symptoms, the research. I should be valiantly trying to raise awareness for this condition that has ruined my life, and many others. But I am heartbroken and cannot.

Continue reading “#May12BlogBomb – Heartbroken”

Late to the party take two: Ginger Jeans

Closet Case Ginger Jeans – we’ve made them, we’ve blogged them, we’ve read the reviews. Now that I’ve finally caught up to the rest of the sewing world, I can reflect on what I like and don’t like so much about jeansmaking.

A woman stands in front of a garden fence. She wears dark blue, slim jeans and a button up shirt. Continue reading “Late to the party take two: Ginger Jeans”