Navigating the Holidays: Disability Disclosure, Advocacy, and Social Dynamics ❤️
A lot of you on Spoony have been sharing how tricky the festive season can be. From family dynamics and Christmas parties to tough conversations, navigating accessibility, and even feeling socially isolated, this time of year can bring unique challenges.That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve lined up an incredible speaker for our next online community event to give you practical tools and support to make this season a little easier. 💖 Plus, our community spotlight and an amazing book recommendation from a disabled author!
The holiday season is often filled with family gatherings, work parties, and social catch-ups, but it can also amplify feelings of social isolation—especially for neurodivergent, chronically ill, and disabled people.
Navigating these spaces can be challenging, from managing energy levels to advocating for your needs.
Join us for a free online community talk where we’ll explore practical strategies for discussing your disability, setting boundaries, and advocating for yourself in both personal and social settings.
Led by Chanelle Morris, a disability advocate and motivational speaker who uses her lived experience of navigating life with 30% vision to uplift and empower others, this session will give you the tools, confidence, and voice to approach the season on your terms.
The session will also be recorded for those of you who can’t make it or live in different timezones.
Community Spotlight
This week, we’re chatting with Anna, from Tennessee. Thank you for sharing your story!
⭐ Are you neurodivergent, chronically ill, and/or disabled?
Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill
⭐ What barriers have you experienced in making friends and connecting with people?
I have dealt with a lot of loneliness over the past 10 years. It felt like all of my spoons were going to basic life activities like homework and showering and I had none left to actually have fun. Because of that I’ve had to deal with being left out often and not being as close with my friends as I’d like. But I’m very thankful that I do have a close support system that understands what I’m going through and are always willing to just watch tv with me.
⭐ What's been your experience on Spoony so far?
The community! I think everyone with a chronic illness/disability has dealt with loneliness at some point and feeling misunderstood. 🩷
Each week we'll feature a Spoony from our amazing community. If you'd like to share your story, let us know here.
This week’s recommendation 💖
‘I’ll Let Myself In’ is written by Hannah Diviney, a writer, author, actress and disability advocate. You may have also seen some videos of her online over the last week, where she called for a new era of equality and justice for the disability community in a landmark address to the Australian Press Club.
Hannah, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, has always known that her experience of the world was fundamentally different from those around her.
While her friends went to soccer and dance and Little Athletics, Hannah was going to physio and doctors' appointments. While her friends got jobs, fell in love and went clubbing, Hannah surrounded herself with the fantastical worlds she found in books. But books where people like her were nowhere to be found.
“So, over the course of 16 deeply personal essays that’s exactly what I do, pulling together the tapestry a young disabled woman coming of age, finding herself, her voice and her space. I’ve never seen a book like this one, which is exactly why I wrote it, because this is the kind of book I needed and never had.”
