A Review of Netflix's "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution"

This winter,  Netflix released an original documentary delving into life at Camp Jened, a summer camp for physically disabled teenagers in New York during the 1970's and makes a beautiful segue into the disability rights movement. As someone who went to Southampton Fresh Air Home, a camp just like Camp Jened on Long Island, NY as a teenager, this gave me a sense of deep nostalgia that cannot be fully described.

The former campers of Camp Jened (many of whom went on to become prominent disability rights activists) reflected on their experience at Camp Jened as a utopia in which they got to feel like normal, average teenagers (paraphrase) At SFAH, it gave me the same feeling.

Through talking about experiences at camp and independent living centers in Berkeley, CA, as well as talking about the disability rights movement, Netflix makes an effort to put disability culture into the mainstream media, which we have rarely seen before. Everything that the disability community has been through is summarized in this beautiful film.

Antell, Rachel, et al. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. Netflix, 11 Mar. 2020.

Above All Else, I'm Physically Disabled First

Recently, I saw a play called Bright Half Life. The play was written by Tanya Barfield and it follows the lives of an interracial lesbian couple throughout the course of their relationship. Erica is white and Vicky is black. One day, the couple is discussing privilege and oppression. Vicky reminds Erica of her identity as a black person and how that has impacted how society views her, sometimes in a negative way. She reminds Erica that she doesn't have to deal with racial oppression because she is white. "But I'm gay and a woman!" Erica reminds Vicky. Vicky then says to Erica that she is too, but that she is "black first, always." When the actress who played Vicky delivered the powerful, eye-opening line, I nodded in agreement as an audience member hearing this. I nodded because even though I am white, I could relate to this statement in a big way because of my physical disability.

My physical disability (cerebral palsy) is very visible an audible. Whenever I go out in public, I use a wheelchair to aid in my mobility. Being a wheelchair user lets people know immediately that you are without question physically disabled. Due to this, you are also labeled as different from most people. People more often than not will notice your physical disability first because it's the number one marker of what makes you different or a member of a minority group.

Being physically disabled almost always overshadows the fact that I am all of my other identities that I say that I am, even the ones that are also overt, evident, or correctly predetermined such as my identities as a white cisgender woman. These identities are taken into account when seeing me for the first time too, but they're not something that is discussed or focused upon to the same degree as my physical disability. That is to say, everybody notices/correctly assumes that I am a white cisgender woman, but nobody really inquires about it. Whenever I meet someone for the first time, the first thing that people will ask me is, "Why are you in a wheelchair?" or "What's wrong with your legs?" and not something about my race or even my gender.

Moreover, if I want to, I can hide the fact that I am mentally ill, have learning disabilities, and am a part of the queer community (in terms of my sexual orientation). I have the option to disclose those things, unlike my status as a person with a visible/audible physical disability.

To other queer folks, cisgender women, and/or people with invisible disabilities, I ask you to please be aware of this.

3 Similarities Between Misogyny and Ableism

In honor of March being both International Women’s Month and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I have decided to shed some light on the similarities between misogyny and ableism because this is rarely talked about, if ever. This piece will focus on ableism related to physical disabilities mostly.

1. People objectifying your body.

It is widely known throughout the feminist community that the objectification of women’s bodies is one of the most prominent issues within the general issue of misogyny. Many men tend to think it’s okay for them to touch women without them asking or to comment on how their body looks during inappropriate times. This results from over-sexuakization of women’s bodies and also the fact that men are supposed to feel “powerful” and “in control.”

While people with disabilities are often desexualized due to infantilization, women with disabilities often get objectified too. People think they have the right to touch or make comments about our bodies without asking. It’s not sexual, rather, it’s the opposite, but it still occurs in the same way: people rubbing your back without asking, people calling you “beautiful” when you don’t even know them, I could go on.

And both able-bodied women and disabled people often don’t know how to respond when situations like these occur because they’re so uncomfortable.

2. People are surprised when you can do certain things.

Misogyny and ableism tend to operate under the same philosophy: women and disabled people are considered “weak” or “incompetent.” Many misogynists are surprised when women are able to do physical things, i.e., play sports, build things, etc. Because of this, they often insist on doing things for us, even if we say we can do it ourselves.

While most physically disabled people would have a difficult time playing sports or building things, we get the exact same response from able-bodied people as able-bodied women get from able-bodied men. Able-bodied people often doubt the capabilities and competence of disabled people.

3. People are surprised when you open your mouth and speak your mind.

I consider myself to be an outspoken person with a strong personality. I am a passionate advocate for social justice causes. When somebody does something that I don’t like, I’ll usually speak up and say something. This surprises many able-bodied people because they often expect me to be meek, mild, and quiet. But when I go ahead and open my mouth, they stand corrected.

Women, both abled-bodied and disabled experience this too. Because of the patriarchy, there is an implicit expectation for women to keep their mouths shut. Patriarchal society operates under the belief that men should speak their mind and be powerful, while women should not.

I hope that reading this post shed some light on the similarities between misogyny and ableism.

Breaking Up with My Meds: Why Weaning Off of Psychiatric Medication is So Difficult

I have been on the same psychiatric medication for the past seven years. As a matter of fact, it has been the ONLY daily prescription medication I have taken for psychiatric purposes... up until last week. This medication was prescribed to me as a mood stabilizer back in March 2013 to help me manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder and emotional instability. Within about a month of first taking this medication, I started to see an improvement in my moods, emotions, mental health, and overall quality of life. This medication came into my life at the time when I needed it the most and had continued to support me through thick and thin, the good and the bad, and the ups and the downs.

For the past seven years, this medication had kept me grounded. I felt like I could rely on it. And even though I had technically tried a bunch of other psychiatric medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, and so on, those were only occasional as-needed PRN medications. I also took the neurological medication gabapentin for my spasticity due to my cerebral palsy which my doctors think inadvertentlyhelped with my anxiety.  But for the most part, I felt like I could lean on this one particular mood stabilizer to get me through it all. The others were "good friends." The mood stabilizer was my "best friend." I know lots of people that had multiple "best friends" (daily medications), but I didn't. I figured this was my one true "BFF."

But now, that's changed; the mood stabilizer hasn't been helping me out in the ways that it used to. I don't feel supported. When I was telling my doctor that I didn't think this particular mood stabilizer was helping anymore due to a significant relapse I had recently, it was almost like I was doubting the "closeness" I had with a "friend" that had kept me grounded for so many years.

When the doctor suggested trying a different mood stabilizer to see if that one would work better, I honestly felt sad, and I couldn't help but think, Why isn't this medication working any more? Please work. I felt like I was losing a friend.

Now, I'm trying to hang out with a new friend in hopes that this friend will support me as much as my old friend once did. I still see that old friend, but less so now, and it feel strange, foreign' this was a "friend" who has since become an acquaintance.

I know this may seem like a strange metaphor (and that's because it is), but when something has kept you sane for seven years and then you start to realize that its not anymore, it's hard, much like losing your best friend.

Why You Shouldn't Place One Disability Over Another: On Disability Hierarchy

Recently, I told someone that I have never been able to tell time, despite trying hard for many years. Despite the fact that this person knew about my severe dyscalculia (math-based learning disability), she seemed shocked. I told her it was like getting myself dressed: occupational therapists tried to get me to the point where I could dress myself at least semi-independently, but it was too hard. Math teachers did the same thing with being able to tell time.

"Yes, but telling time is easy!" she said, wondering why I could never seem to be able to tell the time. This person who told me that telling time is easy has known how math has been immensely difficult for me ever since kindergarten. They had known how hard it used to be when I was in first and second grade to remember facts like 2 + 2 = 4 and 3 + 3 = 6. THey know how hard it was for me to pass my standardized state math testing for Massachusetts and even after a year of studying for this testing, I only passed it by one point. This person knew how much individualized attention I needed in regards to the portion of my education that had to do with math and they still didn't acknowledge that a simple task having to do with math was hard for me, even when they knew I had a disability that impaired these skills, even when people tried to teach me several times. Yet, this person knew that something so simple would be so difficult for me in regards to one of my other disabilities and didn't even question it.

(From andrewcampbell.com. This picture explains how I felt in math class growing up)

To me, having a disability means that a person has difficulty with one or more simple, everyday tasks that other people their own age can do perfectly fine due to any sort of chronic condition.

Can most young adults dress themselves? Yes.

Can most young adults make themselves food? Yes.

Can most young adults complete basic hygiene tasks? Yes.

I could go on...

Can I do those things?
No.
Why not?
Because I have cerebral palsy.

People acknowledge that.

Can most young adults read an analog clock if they were taught how to in school? Yes.
Do most young adults know what certain coins look like? Yes.
Can most young adults remember basic times tables? Yes.
Do most young adults pass state-required standardized testing without having to study? Yes.

Can I do those things?
No, not easily, or only with a great amount of effort?
Why?
Because I have dyscalculia.

For the most part, I feel like people don't acknowledge this. They also don't seem to acknowledge this within the concept of treatment for mental illnesses either. I share with some people in my life that I have mental health conditions. I have been on medication for this and have been seeing psychotherapists once a week for the past several years to manage and cope with these issues. But are they gone? No. Have I relapsed? Yes. Is relapsing to be expected? Yes. Is it still hard? Yes. But people still assume I'm "cured." However, I also take medication and go to physical therapy to manage my CP symptoms, as well as getting Botox injections. But people don't assume that CP is omitted from my life when treated. This is contrasted with my learning disabilities and mental illnesses.

 People assume that disabilities that affect the way a person thinks and processes certain types of information are more likely to be resolved, cured, and managed than that of physical disabilities. As someone with disabilities that affect my mobility, learning, and mental health, I can easily say that this is the case. Do not put one disability over another. Do not forget about any of them. Disability is a greatly intersectional experience and just because some are visible and some are not does not mean that the invisible ones take less of an influence necessarily

Good Days v. Bad Days

There is a concept in the disability community about Good Days v. Bad Days. I have cerebral palsy, which is considered a non-progressive disorder, meaning that my condition doesn't get worse over time. Because CP is considered to be non-progressive, people often assume that I have the exact same level of functioning all the time. However, this is not necessarily the case. "Good Days" are days where perhaps, for whatever reason, I may be less spastic than usual or less tired than usual. This would possibly make it easier for me to complete certain motor tasks that I'm not normally able to complete or I may do them more efficiently due to improved motor planning skills after a physical therapy session for example. I may also have "Bad Days" where my level of functioning is worse than normal. I may be more spastic and therefore, it may be harder for me to do motor tasks that I am normally able to do. And then of course, I have baseline days. Saying things like, "Why can't you do that all the time?" or my personal favorite of, "I've seen you do that before. You can do that." is insulting to disabled people because it gives the impression that able-bodied people think we're not capable of assessing our own levels of functioning. Don't be angry at us for having good days and bad days. After all, doesn't everyone have good days and bad days in their own unique way?

Found on "The Psychology Babies" Facebook page.

“Do Not Punish the Behaviour You Want to See.” Tumblr, 28 Jan. 2018, olofahere.tumblr.com/post/170223372038/do-not-punish-the-behaviour-you-want-to-see.

The Straw Ban

Reposted from my Facebook post in July 2018.

Bundle of colorful plastic straws.

"I'll have a margarita... with a straw." - Laila, Margarita with a Straw (2014)

So, I love that people are trying to be green and save marine life. I do think it's devastating that aquatic animals are getting injured and ill from the toxicity that plastic has on their bodies, and I certainly don't want to ingest plastic every time I eat seafood. However, as much as I love Earth, animals, the sea, and Mother Nature as much as the next girl, this "Straw Ban" that America has decided is a "good solution" to the problems I mentioned is going to be a serious detriment to millions of people.

Let me explain. A lot of people with physical disabilities need to use plastic straws. And not just want to, need to. I can drink liquids without a straw, so this doesn't affect me. However, as a friend and acquaintance of several disabled people who need assistance and adaptation to drink, here's why this would be a problem. A lot of people who have physical disabilities cannot lift cups up to their mouth because they might not have the fine motor control, hand steadiness, arm strength, or hand strength to do so. Another thing is, they might drop the cup and that can be a real hazard if the cup is made of glass, which could be a potential hazard in a restaurant. Another thing is, it's very hard for people with cerebral palsy (and other physical disability) to find the speed, coordination, strength, and accuracy to accomplish more than one motor tasks at once. "But that's only one motor task!" you might say. Well, really, it's three. Yes, three. First, there is the action that you do that involves picking up the cup. This involves a complex set of skills that muscles do based on instructions from for example, your nervous system, and other parts of the body. This may seem simple for some, but for others, it can be very arduous. Next, you have to hold the cup while using your mouth and face to sip. Sipping is an easy task for most people, but sometime it's hard for people to sip while holding a cup. And then there is putting the cup back down, which can be hard to do for some people too.

As an add-on, bendy straws are better for making sure the straw is easily accessible.

As I said before, I'm all for saving the environment, but please, do it in other ways so disabled people can live as independently as possible.

I never thought I'd be ranting about straws on social media before, but hey, first time for everything.

Body Dysphoria, Physical Disabilities, and Sexual Orientation: On The Disabled Queer Intersection

My Physical Disability and Body Dysphoria

I am physically disabled. I have cerebral palsy that is visible and audible. I am aware that I look slightly different and sound slightly different than most people. Because the muscles in my legs are affected by my CP, I walk around in an unusual manner. Sometimes I walk a lot like a toddler, stumbling and falling but always getting back up again. Other times, I feel akin to a decrepit older woman, hunched over and walking dreadfully slow.

Even the way I sometimes pull my facial expressions can look different from other people. There can be such a thing as a "palsy smile" if you will and I have one. Obviously, everyone has a different smile just based on genetics, facial structure, and even personality, because we are all unique. However, there are certain physical characteristics that can be similar among individuals with cerebral palsy based on how our muscles make us move and appear.

The position in which I stand is affected. The alignment of my eyes is sometimes affected. I often have saliva on my chin because of excessive drooling. My feet can often turn blue because of spastic blood vessels.

Sometimes my voice gets too high or not as resonant as I'd like it to be because of spasticity in my vocal cords, face, and tongue.

I've always struggled with body dysphoria related to my CP. This has led to a lot of disassociation with my body. Knowing that my body is my own, but not feeling like it is and having an inherent discomfort with it. People seem to be able to conceptualize this within the contexts of being transgender or having disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, bulimia, or, in more extreme cases dissociative identity disorder, known colloquialy as multiple personality disorder.

Intense discomfort with one's own body is something that most people experience in one way or another. But it's usually directed at a perceived aesthetic flaw and not directed at feeling as though your body isn't your own or shouldn't be yours. This is what people with those disorders feel as well as what a lot of people with physical disabilities feel.

It doesn't help when you feel like society has erased your body. When you don't see images of women like you being reflected back at you, you start to feel yourself fade out. It's a weird feeling for sure. Painfully weird.

(Left side of picture depicts a stick figured girl standing up smiling  in a triangle dress and pigtails. Right side of page depicts a sketched out version of the handicapped symbol. "The Package" is written next to it. "put your brain inside your body" is centered at the top of the page.

Viewing my body as separate from my brain (a diagram)

Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation

I was 15 years old when I realized I was interested in other young women. And not only that, I was interested in women who had the same gender expression as I did. Meaning, not only did I like other girls, I liked girls who liked to dress, act, behave, and present in a very traditionally feminine manner like I did. There is a concept in queer identity that if you find yourself attracted to people who align with your personal gender expression, you often question whether you want to be that person, meaning you want to have the physical attributes of that person because you are envious of them, but you also have sexual attraction to that person. I've theorized that maybe I'm attracted to able-bodied women because I feel like they have been given bodies that I've wanted as my own. I've thought about this as a theory for other femmes who like femmes, too. It just seems to make sense to me.

This dilemma happened to me while I was watching This is Life with Lisa Ling on CNN recently. I was watching an episode that Lisa had done on the realities of the modeling industry. One of the aspiring fashion models she interviewed was 18 year-old Chrissy Clark, now 20. Obviously, models always look good, but even during an interview, she looked stunning and it was like I was watching a body that more or less, should've been mine, too. I always feel this way, no matter the girl. I should be able-bodied too. This is what I should look like. Not necessarily model perfect, but just having a body that society deems traditionally beautiful and worthy of sexual pleasure. That's where the, "Do I want to be her or do her?" dilemma comes in.

Black and white photograph of Chrissy Clark standing up while striking a sensual pose. She is tall, skinny, has long, straight, light brown hair, a delicate, pretty face,  and is wearing a white T-shirt and denim shorts.

Bridging the Gap

Since we live in a heteronormative, cisnormative, ableist patriarchy, people seem to assume that.

1. Everyone is straight except effeminate men and butch women. (heteronormativity)
2. Feminine women have to be attracted to masculine people in order to maintain traditional gender roles and keep men in power. (patriarchal society)
3. All disabled people are asexual (ableism)
4. If disabled people are sexual, they only are attracted to other disabled people.
5. Trans people are straight, all of them.

The assumption that all people are or should be attracted to the opposite gender and the same ability status is them is toxic for people like me who are the opposite as those two statements. It doesn't even cross people's minds and it's one of the reasons that I have failed to acknowledge or express this about myself before. It perpetuates body shaming for disabled people because it makes us feel like we don't deserve to be desired by people with bodies unlike our own. Instead of failing to acknowledge the possibility of attractions that are not traditional, keep an open mind. Furthermore, the precise reason I often do not value my body is that people apologize to me for living in the body that I've been given. You may think you're making this better by feeling bad for me, but this actually perpetuates the idea that disabled bodies need to be erased and that my body is a mistake. No one wants to feel like their body is a mistake, because it's not.

Disabled people need to feel beautiful. I think I'm getting there, but it takes time.

Sketch of a pretty young woman in a manual wheelchair on her cell phone. She is wearing a dress and high heels and is smiling.

Behind Every Punk, There is a Sweetheart

It seems that cerebral palsy in all of its idiosyncrasies, has always been (and will always be) that pestering little brother that I never had. He constantly follows me around everywhere and anywhere and just when I think I've lost sight of him, there he is again, trying to piss me off with any number of his tactics: making me fall down, grabbing my hand and making me spill something, cracking open my mouth so that I drool, making me have an accident for God knows what reason, and most of all, at the end of the day, making me tired. He makes my orthopedic system weak, uptight, high-strung, and just plain angry. He embarrasses me in front of a lot of people (especially my peers) and obstinately refuses without hesitation to end his relentless attitude towards making his presence known to everyone in the room. He plops me in a wheelchair, forcing me to put up with the ignorant attitudes of people of all ages who stare, patronize, and treat me like a two year old. He constantly talks to me and even when I try and cover up his mouth, he keeps talking... and talking... and talking... and talking. He seems to have also unfortunately acquired the ability to easily coax my nerves into sending little uncalled for electroshock impulses to my fibers. It wasn't until a neurologist appointment in February that I had found out he had went to my nerves too. As if the unnerving muscular anxiety wasn't enough, he made it so much so that he makes them shake, twist, jerk, and feel like they are going to explode. He has made me give up on my dreams of becoming a dancer.

Those are the things that make me angry. But then I have to remember that behind every punk, there is a sweetheart. There are times when people have approached me with the prospect of having us separated since he causes me so much distress. However, I wouldn't want that. That being said, I would not have had the opportunity to be immersed in such a rich and enthralling communal culture that has forever changed me. I would not have had the chance to meet some of the greatest people in my life. I would have not learned how to think craftily, critically, and on my feet. I would have not learned the art of satire as precisely as I have. I would have not aced almost every anatomy test I've ever taken. I would have not gotten treated like royalty at Disney World. I wouldn't have the liberty of handicap parking or disability benefits. He has kept me safe in some respects when I had times of unnerving impulsivity and rebellion. He has made me stronger and at times, more happy at the deepest roots of my core.

Wheelchair Courtesy 101

Lately, I have seemed to have perpetually encountered a rather unfortunate succession of obnoxious ignorant behaviors regarding not necessarily people who use wheelchairs per se, but more about how the wheelchairs themselves are treated and I just would think it would be immensely beneficial to set some ground rules.

Tip #1: Do not say, "I'd LOVE to be in a wheelchair!"

Okay, I can't tell you how many times I have heard able-bodied people say this to me and it drives me up the wall. I can sort of see where they are coming from though - they look at wheelchairs and it creates the false illusion that it's as fun as a toy. I mean, yeah... it has wheels, stickers, bright colors, a whole bunch of buttons, pretty lights, and a "comfortable" seat. I get the assumption, I get the misinformed excitement to a certain degree. However, wheelchairs are functional tools for us that are practical. And with every practical everyday tool comes an inherent lack of excitement, despite one's gratefulness for that particular technological device. 

Please also keep in mind that it's very constraining to be sitting for hours on end. The number is infinite for the amount of times where I have sat in my chair and thought to myself, "I wonder if they'd be okay with me walking around. While wheelchairs are useful, they are constraining to no end. When people say to me that I have to stay in my chair, I have to refrain from screaming to the fullest extent ever possible. I feel trapped... not behind bars trapped, but, "Someone may as well tell me that they're going to glue my ass to this seat to keep me safe apparently." Big sarcastic thumbs up, right?

Expanding upon my thought above, wheelchairs are often the generalization for what it means to be disabled, like in the universal blue and white handicapped symbol shown directly below. If I'm being completely honest, often times, I totally wish I wasn't disabled. Why? Because... oh yeah, this SUCKS. Sure, there are things I love about being disabled and things that I hate. My point being, when you're someone who uses a wheelchair, that is the ultimate right-in-front-of-your-face clue that you are in fact disabled and that somehow you are either too weak or "so incredibly strong" or maybe even a bit of both. Point blank, it is literally impossible to hide your disability when you're using your wheelchair, from others AND from yourself. Your disability becomes obnoxiously ubiquitous, staring everyone in the room right in their fucking face. This reality is painful. Do not remind us of this.

Another thing with this is the wording. I personally find it mildly offensive when people say "in a wheelchair" or "bound to a wheelchair" because it makes them seem like an object and not an actual person. Other people might feel differently than I do about this, but my advice would just to go with your gut.

Tip #2 :Do not ask us questions about our chair while we are driving please.

This is kind of like someone texting you while driving about trivial, silly stuff or your kids talking to you really loudly in the car when you're driving somewhere new. When I'm driving my chair, I'm trying to be somewhere. And for me to give someone a sufficiently comprehensive run-down of all that my chair can offer, I've got to pause for something. Remember, sometimes pausing driving a wheelchair is a lot like pulling over. However, this does not mean I am not game for a good conversation or some nice small talk, but it would be preferable to me if you wouldn't say things like, "How fast can that thing go?!?" until I'm done driving please.

Tip #3: Always be sure to ask what they'd like their chair to be referred to as please.

What I mean by this is different types of wheelchairs have different names. A motorized wheelchair could also be potentially referred to as a power chair or an electric chair and a manual wheelchair could also be potentially be referred to as a push chair or a stroller. I personally find that calling a wheelchair a "stroller" quite derogatory actually because it juvenilizes the situation at hand and more importantly, the owner of the chair. For me, manual or push is acceptable, but be aware of individual preferences. As for the first example, I prefer motorized or power. Electric chair sounds like I'm being electrocuted as punishment for a wrongdoing!

I am also okay with calling my blue chair a stroller if the purpose is to distinguish it from a standard manual wheelchair.

Tip #4: Remember that saying someone is a bad driver is offensive.

This one is pretty self-explanatory but I'm just putting it out there.

Tip #5: Keep rude comments about how my chair looks to yourself please.

For example, disabled people are usually very messy eaters by no fault of our own. Therefore, you will probably see food all over my foot plate. Don't comment on that please.

Tip #6: Keep in your lane please. You are a pedestrian to me when I am in my chair.

SAFETY ALERT: Do not come walking straight towards a motorized wheelchair. Because if you do, there is a high risk of me running of your feet.

Tip #7: If you don't need the elevator, take the stairs please.

There's only so many elevators in one building. Be mindful of the fact that there is probably at least one person using a wheelchair. Save it for them please.

Tip #8: Do not touch my chair without my permission please. (I repeat, do not)

This is one that really makes me angry. While it is true that I am a person, not object, my chair is an extension of me. My chair serves as my legs 40 percent of the time and you have to respect that. It is my personal property. Do not move it without my consent; the speed might be up too high or the control panel might not be put into place. I want to know who is touching it and where it's going. Also, don't use my chair as a little resting thing for your body; don't lay your arm on it, put your foot up on it, lean on it, tap your fingers on it, put your hand on it, or anything of that nature. If I trust you and we are having an intimate conversation, or we are close, you may do so. If not, please refrain.

List of People Who Can Touch My Chair Without Permission:

• My mum, my dad, and my sister
• My physical therapist
• My advocate at my disability services agency

Tip #9: Some of Us Can Walk, You Know!

I feel like one of the first assumptions that people make about the disability community is that all people who use wheelchairs are unable to walk. False. A lot of us can. And I'm not trying to exclude people who can't walk from the wheelchair user's lament, however, I think this is important to learn so that it's not seen as some sort of cheesy pseudo-miracle. Don't be too overly excited because I'm just putting one foot in front of the other and lifting my legs off the ground just like anyone else. You can't expect disabilities to be black and white all the time, just like you can't expect gender identity and sexuality to be black and white either. There has to inevitably be a thick gray area. This is further explained in an article entitled This Is What Disability Binarism Looks Like off of the blog That Crazy Crippled Chick by my lovely friend Cara Liebowitz.

Tip #10: Treat Us Like The Human Beings That We Are

We are human, I promise you.

The Androgynous Bliss and Complicated Fears of a Lipstick Bisexual

I first found out I was bisexual when I was fifteen years old - I had developed a crush on a girl obliviously and two years later, I had accepted the fact that I was in love with her via the help of my previous therapist.I'd rather not discuss the whole ordeal as for the time being, but I decided to tell you just for a brief background.

First finding out that I was bisexual was painful and confusing; I didn't want to like girls, but I did. And furthermore, I also didn't want to be stuck in the middle of the binaries of straight and gay. I wanted to be as orthodox as I possibly could with this particular facet of my identity. I tried so hard to force myself to swing one way or the other, but it just wasn't working.

• Myth #1: Bisexuals will never become straight or gay, no matter how hard they try.

I tried to convince myself after that I needed to think more about it - that I was confused and I needed more time. That wasn't working either because I kept going back to the fact that I still liked guys and could see myself marrying one. I still thought Leonardo da Caprio was extremely sexy and all that jazz. I still felt a connection with guys that I still cannot seem to erase to save my life. Yet, I noticed this in relation to girls too. I felt like I could marry one. I felt physical attraction and I felt a deep desire to be connected with one both from emotional and physical standpoints. And I was only denying myself of living this pure truth because of reactions from others.

Myth #2: Bisexuals are not confused most of the time.

My next fear was fearing that people would still consider me straight, even after I told them, and therefore, it was unjustified that I would come out because I wound end up straight anyway.  I tried to convince myself of that lie as well.

Myth #3: Bisexuals are not former gays turned straight.

I kept thinking to myself how horrifying it would be if I was oversexualized because I was bisexual. Let's look at it this way: gay people come out to discuss the potential possibility that they are going to want to be in a committed relationship with someone of their own gender one day, not to disclose who they'd like to be in bed with. With bisexuals, it's no different. Just like gay people, we feel an obligation to disclose these things to inform about emotional connections rather than sexual ones. We should not be persecuted for coming out.

Myth #4: Bisexuals are too interested in sex.

There was another part of me that still exists even today where certain girls are beautiful, but I wouldn't want  to date them. Let's be mindful of the fact that I am still a girl even with my sexual orientation. Girls admire each others' beauty, even when straight. I am no different.

Myth #5: Bisexuals think everyone is attractive.


Bisexuality holds equal amounts of intense pain, fear, confusion, and pride as homosexuality does. It is nuanced, bended, different, open. That scares people off and we are often looked at as a bit of a guessing game if you will by not only others, but even ourselves on occasion as well. The guessing game that we have hardwired into our neurological and endocrinological system is a unique one indeed - a zebra out of a band of horses. At least in the romantic snse that is.

Society being bended is a very tricky thing because people don't know what make of a circumstance such as this. Here's what to do with it: be prepared for fluidity within us and try not to shock yourself with shock from our sociological courses.

With that implemented within myself, I have not only learned to embrace that sociological implications of this binding agent, but also the cultural implications of this. Furthermore, even though I am very feminine (and always will be and proudly so too), I have additionally learned how to appreciate the subtle nature of androgynous bliss at least from a glance. The ability to be so open without having to remove yourself from your true identity is absolutely wonderful. Soak it up if you're like me!

Whoever is reading this right now, I hope you'll support me. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. This post will ideally free me from shame and secrecy.  My friends and therapist who I have come out to seem to support me and I hope you will too. And for any people reading this that feel the same way I did, remember to always be yourself and give yourself time to think and grow. Thank you.

The Relationship Between Dance and Eating Disorders

There are multiple categories of the ideal body type in Western culture: the bodybuilder body, the swimmer's body, the runner's body, the gymnast's body, and, the one that has had a significant negative impact/affect on me, the dancer's body. These body types all set utterly unrealistic standards for us as women in many facets of society; they have proven to completely obliterate the appropriate psychological boundaries of what it means to achieve success and quite frankly, I disagree with this greatly.

There are many different types of dance of course, but the three that I do are ballet, modern, and hip hop. Since I have moderate cerebral palsy, I often feel like I need to attempt to attain the ultimate epitome of a dancer's physique to compensate for the lessening of technical [kinesthetic] skill that I have due to my poor motor control. Over the course of my teenage years, I have had to learn to realize that this is pure overcompensation that is far too excessive by all means. But I still sometimes wonder if it is accurate. After all, ballerinas and modern dancers are inherently regarded as superior if they have skeletal sides, but I try my very hardest to combat this line of thinking, not only for myself, but for other dancers as well. Yet, facts preference for dancers with flat stomachs and visible shoulder blades, collarbones, and ribs are still extremely pervasive as much as we like to shut our eyes and blindfold ourselves into a eutopian bubble that states otherwise.

--Example of a Ballerina Body (Olga Kurraevva)

My teenage years were rough because I became a woman, not a skeleton anymore; I started to lose my frame of a body, my fairy body and that scared me in all honesty. So, then I started putting more and more pressure to maintain that dancer body whose mind desperately wanted to maintain a girl who could wear belly shirts and low-rise sweatpants and crop tops without something under or over it and leotards and tutus and articles of clothing that only thin people could possibly wear.

When my eating disorder had reached it's very worst, I started to wreak havoc on my body in ways that I'd prefer not to discuss. But essentially, I lost some weight, but I was never able to keep it off. My body had made me eat eventually due to my history with low blood sugar. So I started depleting virtually every ounce of my energy with dance itself. I stayed the same physique, much to my dismay and I did not attain  the desired and pernicious effect of seeing my flesh turn to bone. I yelled, I screamed, I cried and came to the disappointing realization of dreadfulness that subjecting myself to a succession of a stomach pratically made of water, an ill-tempered demeanor, unwanted persperation, and dizziness was serving me no justice than little add-ons of control and the [unhealthy] release of endorphins. I hated this harsh reality more than anything.

Nothing about me had the qualities of an elite dancer -- I was klutzy by default, spastic, gimpy, tight, and most of all, in my eyes, not skinny enough. Dance is about a beautiful body, and my eating disorder convinced me that unless the Teddy Grahams bearwas gorgeous, I was certainly NOT considered so either by any stretch of the imagination. I was nowhere near close to having the sexiness of Nina Sayers from Black Swan or of my most looked up to dancer, Olga Kuraevva or my hip hop dance all-star acquaintance, Kate. So I had no passion, no drive, no desire for sex, dance, or the pursuit of happiness anymore. Here I was  -- a dancer always claiming to herself that dance had been her eternal passion... here I was -- a dancer, who in all senses, happened to be the ONLY one who was [directly] pressuring herself to lose weight. No one had ever told me to lose weight, especially not for dancing purposes, so it was subtly ludicrous that I was doing so myself. I guess I want to be perfect, I guess I wanted to be sexy, I guess I wanted all the exacerbated pain and fatigue from dancing my ass off to actually MEAN something for once in my fluctuant life -- I guess I didn't want to be ostracized from the elite anymore than I already was, I guess I wanted my CP to not matter nearly as much anymore. I guess I wanted to go to NYU or Julliard. I guess I wanted to feel good.

Now, I guess I do feel good in SOME respects about it, feeling good and vital about my presence as a dancer again. I have regained my passions, my strength, my carthartic acts, and my artistic visions within my dancing in the fields of ballet and modern dance and have tried very hard to be able to look in the mirror and see arm exercises that show healthy bones - and ultimately a dancer with drive, swagger, soul,, grace, strength, and all things in between without the detrimental and disproportional omission of a body worth celebrating even in belly shirts, crop tops,  sweatpants, leotards, and tutus. And I guess I feel not 100% good, but alright to maintain myself.\

Olga Kurraevva - Contemporary Ballet Improvisation

Built on Stilts Dance Festival 2009 with Kate and Evan - Hip Hop Performance

Eating Disorders and Sex: A Toxic Correlation

I blew this up so you could see how this cover hit me like a ton of bricks shortly after buying FOOD.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that you're thinking that this post is going to be another generic rant about how society instills in us as people in Western cultures (especially young women such as myself) to be stick thin. Well, if that is your assumption of what the post may be about, let me inform you that you are right, but also wrong. The topic of this post has rarely been discussed in relation to eating disorders at least to the limits of my current knowledge, much less so that it is written by someone who is 18 years old. And that topic is sex. Yes, sex. I know it may seem odd or futile or even salacious to write something such as this, but I truly do believe that this is a legitimate issue that needs to be carefully and tastefully addressed.

You've all heard the endless and timeless harping on about how the media and pop culture seem to play a distinctive "pattern" of roles in the breeding of eating disorders I'm sure. But have you ever stopped and thought about how maybe, just maybe eating disorders could be caused by sexualized society as well? I didn't think it either until I was about 16.

Let's break it down. When women feel sexy, they show off their breasts, their asses, their legs, their backs, their shoulders, and their tummies. This is because visibility of those body parts show things. Now let's look at a girl with an eating disorder: she doesn't like any of those things because her view of her body is distorted and she constantly feels like her body is hideous. Now let's look back at the women without eating disorders: they want to show off body parts because they feel that their bodies are sexually attractive and therefore, suitable. Notice how on the magazine cover, it is essentially talking about these main topics:

a) ways to be "more beautiful" via the aides of products such as cosmetics and perfumes: BEST BEAUTY UNDER $10 and HOT LOOKS FROM BEACH TO BAR+

b) ways to get a "better" body: STEAL KATY'S FLAT ABS TRICK ASAP. 

c) stuff about sex: EPIC HOT SUMMER SEX and TURN UP THE HEATAT WORK * IN LIFE * IN BED, and MAKE HIM ROAR!

Size of the Text:

The words that have been enlarged are as follows:

FLAT ABS

EPIC SEX

HEAT

ROAR!

Placement of the Text:

Notice how "FLAT ABS" is directly under "TURN UP THE HEAT"... 

Am I the only one who thinks that the fact that these things occurring in this way is on purpose? In other words, this whole magazine layout may as well say this:

"If you want to have a good sex life, it is essential for you to attain a completely flat stomach like none other than Katy Perry; this will ensure that you will get laid and be good in bed."

Society often seems to overlook the fact that casual sex is about a good body. Having a good body is beautiful, to a certain extent. But if you ask many people how they feel after losing weight they'll say words such as "hot" and "sexy" or even "Things with my husband have never been better!"

Sex is ultimately about a BODY; a person's physique and in all honesty, eating disorders are used to perfect that body much of the time. They're a way to feel secure in whatever sense used. Sex has an element of security as well,  and in Western culture,a skinny body not only means a beautiful one, but a one that will get someone to take you home and fuck you. Being thin is often considered genetically alluring to our homosapian selves and translated in our modern selves, a factor in their sexual capabilities. I encourage you to ponder this the next time you see another edition of Cosmo in the grocery store or another playing of Jason Derulo's "Wiggle" on the radio. Thank you.

Myths About Psychotherapy

 Myth: All you do in therapy is bitch and moan about your life.
Not true. While a lot of sessions with a psychotherapist consist of the client venting to the therapist, the client and therapist will work together in trying to figure out how the client can successfully manage their mental illness and life stressors. Furthermore, the client will also share good, happy, funny, or lighthearted events with their therapist. The therapist likes this because they like hearing about their clients' lives and they love to hear when the client is doing well. Psychotherapy is kind of like a friendship except the client has to mostly talk about themselves and they can either talk about positive or negative things or both.

Myth: Therapists are completely taciturn; you will not hear a peep out of them at all.
Not true. While psychotherapists have to be very good listeners and keep the discussion of themselves to a bare minimum, they will talk to you and engage in conversation when necessary. Therapists need to do this in order to engage the client and form a dynamic and interesting rapport with the client to make sure that they understand what the client is trying to express to them and keep the session interesting. Additionally, neither of the two therapists that I have worked with have ever asked the stereotypical question of, "And how does that make you feel?" because they tend to get a general idea of where the clients thought patterns are heading. If you have a good therapist, they will probably know how something makes you feel already, especially as your relationship "grows" and gets stronger. Good therapists are good mind readers and are extremely perceptive.

Myth: Therapists are boring people with the personality of cardboard and are cold and aloof.
Not true. While some are like this. a lot of therapists are fun and engaging human beings. My first therapist had an amazing sense of humor and she was super fun to talk to. My second (and current) therapist is good too. Good therapists are relatable people.

Myth: Therapists' offices are dark and uninviting.
Not true. Therapists love to make their offices comfy, bright, and inviting. If the therapist often works with pediatric clients, they will most likely have a room filled will board games, toys, picture books, and other fun things. The couches are usually very comfortable as well.

Myth: Therapists no nothing about psychiatry, psychopharmacology, or mental illness.
Not true. Therapists go through years of advanced degrees, internships, residencies, and extensive and rigorous training. Psychotherapists are technically working in the medical field believe it or not and get a lot of information on the diagnostic process and treatment options of mental illness. However, they cannot prescribe medications to clients. While getting licensure to be a therapist is not as hard as getting the qualifications to be a doctor or a lawyer, it is extensive and rigorous and somewhat medically-oriented.

Myth: Therapists will NEVER tell you about their lives under ANY circumstances WHATSOEVER.
Not true. While it is extremely important to note that a good therapist has excellent boundaries, from time to time, a good therapist WILL reference their own lives to a certain extent to use it as an example as needed. For an example, my first therapist would sometimes her own experiences as a mother to make me understand why my mother was responding to my actions the way that she did. My therapist knew that would be an effective executive decision and it was because it made me walk around in my mother's shoes. My therapist ALSO decided to reference her life in a very vaguely-told account of her first broken heart when she knew I was too embarrassed to talk to my own mother about it and consoled me as much as she professionally could do. This was also an effective decision on her part because it comforted me and checked me into reality when needed when I couldn't confide in anyone else. The truth of the matter is, therapists care about you.

Myth: Because of the statement above, all therapists don't know boundaries and become way too emotionally attached.
Not true. While a choice few of therapists care about their clients so much that it becomes unhealthy with it seeming more like a friendship or some other sort of "outside" and "standard" relationship, most therapists maintain a balance and appropriate boundary setting.

Myth: Therapy isn't fun for anyone.
Not true. While therapy is a drag for many, some people, including myself actually find going to therapy sessions enjoyable and even lots of fun. For some, therapy is a time to catch up with someone you really enjoy being around.

Myth: Going to therapy is a sign of weakness.
Not true. Techniques learned in therapy are beneficial to everyone, whether actual therapy sessions work for them or not. Some people are bored or made worse by psychotherapy sessions even. However, therapeutic techniques should be exercised by everyone when taught.

My Scars, My Story

आध्यात्मिकता: Bare and Honest, My Spirituality & I

Recently, my mother was accused of not fostering enough spirituality into her children. (meaning myself and my twin sister) She had posted on Facebook about how she was going to Midnight Mass for the first time because of her admiration of the new Pope. You mind that she is NOT Catholic and grew up on the Church of England because she is originally from there. So one would think people would use their logic here and assume that therefore, since she is a born and raised Brit, that, technically speaking is the denomination and Church that she belongs to, despite her actual beliefs and practices. She does not practice Catholicism or even Christianity. So, why criticize someone in that manner? Why say, that the only reason my sister and I had ever suffered from bouts of depression was purely (or even at all) because of our lack and deprivation of spirituality. I have bipolar disorder, which is intrinsically biochemical to some extent, no if, ands, or buts about it. How is one supposed to be the judge of another's spiritual "thermometer" just by there attendance (or lack of attendance) at Mass? Even so, in my opinion, not having any spiritual path is perfectly okay with me, personally.

I, as a matter of fact, have plenty of spiritual outlets, but I like to keep them on the down-low and tucked under my sleeve. This is due to some reasons: I don't believe in one practice or Faith over another and like and dislike parts and "snag" the parts that I like, so therefore, I don't want a full-fledged someone to come and spout off on Faith with me if I don't believe in all of what it stands for. The second reason being is that I had a very personal, intense, and direct spiritual experience.

Long story short, I died when I was a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. I have a very vague, mysterious, and foggy "memory" of an out-of-body experience. I saw my soul come up and out of my frail little body and up towards, what I believe to be Heaven in a sense. God was like fog, barely humanoid, and indistinct. I still debate whether He (or even it) was in fact a person or just a "force" if you will. He promised me He would always look out for me whenever I needed Him, but solely when I solicited it. That's just my personal belief. Nonetheless, it is ALSO my personal belief that everyone has the chance to experience the ultimate being of their Faith. In other words, only people who believe in Heaven go to Heaven and only Buddhists can attain Nirvana and so on and so on.

Me? Well, as for me, I'm kinda stuck in the middle. One could possibly in theory that is, hypothesize that if I believe in God and Heaven that I must be Christian. False. In reality, I personally do not choose to identify as ANY religion, Faith, practice, or ideology as a matter of fact, simply because I have too much of a hodge podge of spiritual beliefs that I don't fall under any one "category." I believe in God, but not Creationism, I believe that He does not intervene unless you want Him to and that His intervention is honestly and subconsciously me trying to "fix MY mind" instead of Him trying to do so for me; that all in all, God does exist, but it's almost as if God were my mind on a deeper level of Being for me. That God was my mind at its Highest Level of Being, which is my philosophy with my relationship with the Buddha. That my psyche is so chaotic sometimes that the only possible way to end the cycle of chaos is to find ultimate inner power and to call it God or The Buddha or both. It is my only way of attaining the most enlightened part of my mind. So I guess God is half imagination, half real to me.

Through discussion of religion or practice of Faith, I think I agree on equal amounts of what my atheist friends have to say, my agnostic friends have to say, my Christian friends have to say, what my Deist friends have to say, and what my Buddhist friends have to say and in my worldview, I like it that way. It gives me richness. A lot of my friends are very surprised about my belief in God and Heaven and angels because I am a liberal, bisexual, pro-choice feminist who swears in front of a few choice people that I deeply trust. In a sort of idiosyncratic way, I like to keep people guessing.

The type of therapy I'm doing is a million dollar word called dialectical behavioral therapy, DBT for short. The best and most succinct way to explain it is if standard cognitive behavioral therapy and Buddhist ideologies had a baby. Therefore, I pray to God while listening to Buddhist chants and listen to Flyleaf while chanting in Sanskrit. And it is that combination that gets me to the deepest level of Being that I can possibly ever get to, and that is My Own Faith; it can be yours, but it doesn't have to be.

Beautifully Made: An Eating Disorder Story

Inspired by my favorite slam poem called "I Know Girls (Bodylove) by Mary Lambert" sent to me by my friend Jane.

Walking into a cafeteria could pass for a "Was that just a nightmare?" moment. The bathroom is your worst enemy; the home of things that like to trick you into thinking you need to have more of the "control" you think scales and toilets give you. A sense of false security, false control, and inconsistent and unreliable management flood the room. It is the most bittersweet feeling ever every time you eject physical and differentiated mental repulsiveness from your body. You don't even know why you do it. An ounce is five pounds and a pound is more like fifty. The question "What do you want to eat?" has you in a dizzy spell. A panic attack. A stream of thoughts that scream, "I don't even want to eat anything ever again." You feel as if each bite you took brings a puppy closer and closer to death. Now imagine seeing an empty plate and thinking, "Oh no. Did I just kill a puppy??" so sometimes, you don't eat at all. Other times, you "go at" food like Superman. Dashing around, your voice quivers: "Can I have more food please?" for the seventh time in a row. They get so sick of it that they just stick the box of cookies right in your face. Control goes down to zero percent as you eat 20 cookies in 10 minutes. You feel shame and chocolate now tastes vaguely like salt because of tears. You can't believe you're doing this.  That's what "food guilt" is like for someone with an eating disorder. The guilt overwhelms you, consumes you. It's eating you alive. That's what an eating disorder is: food is metaphorically "eating you," but you have to get healthy thoughts into your brain to stop this in order to physically eat it. You have to find some relief and you resort back to your demon. You fear that there's always that awful chance that you'll start to forever etch vomit onto the teeth that will not be coated with enamel anymore.

You wonder if you'll have to go to the emergency room one day because something happened because your electrolytic balance was out-of-wack and they'll have you drink shitloads of Gatorade. You have nightmares about it even. Yet, you don't listen to those fears, you don't listen to the risks because you have an even more intense fear.

That fear consists of two little words that contain a whole heap of other words. Gaining weight. Gaining weight feeds a sense of, "I don't have any:"
1) control
2) self-worth
3) discipline
4) self-respect
5) chance of ever getting laid

First off, before I spout off on my personal eating disorder story, let's clear the air on what the term "eating disorder" actually means from a "shrink's standpoint" so to speak. I've created my own  general criteria (they all have their own set of criteria) for any eating disorder besides pica (restricting or binge-purge type) anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, rumination disorder, EDNOS) is defined by all of the following:

A. A marked disturbance or overall change in behaviors, habits, or patterns regarding eating

B. The disturbance directly correlates to an underlying disturbance and distortion in the way body weight is perceived and the patient will have an intense fear of gaining weight (i.e. the patient will claim they are overweight when severely emaciated, etc) and/or the disturbance directly correlates with an underlying emotional problem

C. The disturbance in eating stated in criterium (A) is taken on in the form of a maladaptive coping mechanism as an attempt to alleviate the underlying issues or body image disturbance stated in criterium (B)

D. The disturbance in eating is detrimental or potentially detrimental to the patient's physical health in one or more ways

E. The patient's desire to engage in these disturbed eating patterns is compulsive and it is difficult to control urges to engage in the disturbed eating patterns, especially when in distress.

F. The patient engages in these behaviors on at least somewhat of a regular basis.


So, now that we've established that, I will give you some history:

I was severely "palsy skinny" growing up. I was 38 pounds at 11 years old and you could see my ribcage. "Is she eating enough???" people would say cluelessly, not knowing that I just happened to have this physique by nature. Their concern had gotten so ludicrous and unduly that they had me get a gastronomy tube inserted into my stomach. I still have the hole: a daily reminder of the unintentional emotional abuse they had put me through. Memories of me puking up the surplus of formula that they endlessly badgered my parents to put in there still hauntingly pervade my brain. The "tubey" as I childishly called it from preschool to second grade was thick and long and came out of my stomach like I was a fucking machine. Lines marking the ounces were filled up to the brim with PediaSure. I desperately wanted to ask for a lower "dosage" of fornula, but I knew being the precocious little girl that I was, that I would be much less of a force in that aspect of my life and would unfortunately and inaccurately be perceived as the obstinate child who refused to eat. We stopped the G-tube at eight when it fell out of its hole again. People still continued to overanalyze and micromanaged and constantly reminded my parents I was well off the growth charts. I was ordered to drink Ensures multiple times a day. (I heavily advocated for the chocolate ones as I remember) and power bars (also chocolate-flavored to lessen the formulaic taste) That was Step One in people "crafting" my eating disorder.

My mother had always been a bit of a foodie and her recipes were definitely not geared towards picky eaters, that's for sure! My twin sister and I had bowls of curry placed in front of us at three years old. (she put little dollops of sour cream at that age to lessen the spice that is to say, which she also weened us off of) We can remember us eating the whole complementary jar of hot peppers in one go at a local restaurant. Julia Child's famous recipe for boeuf bourguignon and salads filled with berries, prosciutto, various gourmet cheeses, and artichoke hearts dressed with balsamic vinegrette and blueberry honey were part of our diet; and I was proud that I ate well.

Around eighth grade or so, I started to gain weight and my weight "rocketed" up to the mid 40s into the mid 50s. I gladly weened myself off of the Ensures and power bars and started to eat like a "normal" kid.  I ate well and healthy, yet I always had a bit of a sweet tooth. My mum got a job as a pastry chef at a fine dining restaurant when I was in seventh grade. (she's always been a Jack of Many Trades) I was given chocolate seduction cake on a regular basis and cleaned my plate and licked the fork every time. I was now criticized on the speed of which I ate: "Wow! You ate that like a vacuum cleaner." I was now perceived as "the girl who ate SO much" People commented on how they could never get enough food in me. I, who was normally called "light as a feather" had apparently morphed into a "ton of bricks." Step Two had now been instigated.

 Sophomore year came around and the visibility of my bones had vanished; I started developing baby fat and "chunk" and chub in my thighs and stomach and was no longer looked at as a "fairy" or a "stick" or "as skinny as a rail" by me or anyone else for that matter. Those chocolate brown French Connection pants made of velvet and embroidered with jewels had no longer buttoned without sucking my bulging belly in. My thighs were incased in the pant legs and to me, they looked like sausages or butternut squashes. I thought I had begun to look like the bear on the packages of Teddy Grahams. I didn't think I was downright fat per se, just chubby. I was 68 pounds, still numerically emaciated technically, but not physiologically speaking. That made me sad. I suppose I should've been slightly more excited considering the fact that this meant that I could fit into double-zeros and XS sizes at stores for hip young women, which I had wanted for years. Bebe and Arden B. now fit me and I could rock it. I've always been very into fashion, starting at a very young age when my mother owned a trendy boutique. I should've been grateful; I finally got to wear the clothes that I wanted to wear. Yet, I wasn't, because I wanted to be a stick.

Curves confused, overwhelmed, and upset me to say the least. I thought I would be Audrey Hepburn when I grew up, not Marilyn Monroe. My pipe cleaner sides became womanly waves and my breasts connected like a wide boombox. The women I was close to in my life, meaning my mother, grandmother, and two 30-something year old best friends, Erica and Heather commented  on how I was blessed to have large breasts and my mind couldn't really decide if it liked hearing that or not, or in other words, if it agreed.

All this internal conversation was going on and I still got comments about the way I ate, much to my dismay. This, unlike my moods (I also have bipolar disorder) were thought patterns that I could hide; I was a pretty good actress in my perception of my body and how much food I had consumed. People had no clue about how immense prandial guilt was surging through my mind, making it sick, and too ill to handle or manage on my own eventually.

My junior year, about a year ago from now, I had a nervous breakdown. My unpredictable moods and bad relationship with food and my body as well as my self-harm and panic attacks had finally made me crack, break, falter, flounder, and crumble. I had reached the end of my rope and could not cope, take it, or have the will to participate in society. I was depressed beyond belief to put it mildly. The final trigger (the last straw in English!) happened to be about food after academic pressures contributed as well. I was eating one of the Christmas cookies we had made in math class for the Holidays. My math teacher apparently felt compelled to say that I had inhaled the cookie. It was that moment that my soul had collapsed. The third and final step had been put into place. I went to the bathroom sobbing and didn't care anymore that people would find out and I tried to purge after two years of urges. I failed.

The next day was the start of Christmas vacation. After Christmas dinner, guilt was gulping me down its windpipe. I got down on all fours, bruised my knees, and tried and failed. Again. I sat down on the cold bathroom floor in utter defeat and misery. My makeup came off from my endless crying and gave what my dad and I call "Courtney Love eyes." The thought of the Yorkshire puddings and trifle going through my system made me absolutely, mentally and physically ill.

The break was over and as soon as I got to school and 7:35am, I forcefully pressed the handicap button to the restroom, wheeled like Speedy Gonzalez into the stall, unbuckled my seatbelt, and tried and failed, yes, yet again. My math teacher had found me, got me to come out of the stall, cupped my face in her hands, looked me dead in the eyes, and said, "You need serious help, young lady. You've been needing it for a while, haven't you?" I nodded slowly, and soon enough, I was at the local counseling center. I knew my life would never be the same after the visit.

Howie, the on-call person, was a very warm man who was easy to talk to and polite. He asked me why I was there. I decided to keep it short and sweet until I met my actual therapist. I simply told him I was there because the guidance counselor called over after my teacher found me trying to purge. As he jotted the info down on his notepad, I decided to elaborate a bit more and I explained that I had been depressed for a little under two weeks or so. He asked me some questions and I answered honestly. We then went back to discussing the eating disordered thought patterns. He chuckled and said, "But why? You're skinny!" I explained the history in short and also added in another component: control. I use it to control my life. He seemed to understand a fair amount and that made me feel good for a little bit. But there were other things I didn't tell him that I would only tell my future therapist. Things like how I was a perfectionist or that this was a way of coping with a broken heart from two years ago because my first love was anorexic or the fact that I was a dancer.

Two and a half weeks later, I met my therapist, Sacha, who I would work with for a total of seven months before I moved away to boarding school. In all honesty, Sacha would become one of the people who would shape me into the person I am today. I could tell she wanted to help, she was going to, and she was absolutely brilliant at her job.

My weight had a bad habit of yo-yoing back-and-forth just like my moods did, although it took a bit longer for my weight to stop than my moods. The yo-yoing that my weight had done was very subtle, and only I, who was weighing myself several times a day could see the fluctuations, usually five to ten pounds gained or lost. Despite not memorizing them, I would also have the "classic" habit of looking carefully over the nutrition facts on whatever food I could. I want to ensure that I knew exactly how much fat, sugar, and sodium was going into my system as well as how many calories I had been consuming,

Through a dynamic and challenging combination of both dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and talk therapy, I was able to rewire my cognitive thought processes. To be completely honest though, the thing that brought me to recovery all in all was our great chemistry; we understood each other and it was far from boring. I'd bring in weekly mood trackers at her request and it felt so good every time I got to note "Purging: No" (I did eventually purge) partially because I knew she would be pleased. It was challenging. Birthday cake was my worst enemy, but I pushed through. That's not to say that I didn't give into the urges sometimes though. Sacha reassured me that it was okay if I did so, that it took time, and I had to believe that myself.

Earlier today, on Christmas afternoon, I ate that same meal: roast beef, Yorkshire puddings (popovers made of egg), mashed potatoes, green beans, and trifle, and didn't bring it back up. I know I should be proud of that, and so, I am. Because, unlike the bipolar, there are no meds that directly treat eating disorders (although Prozac has been proven to be helpful in some cases, even though I'm on Lamictal instead). It takes pure "brain training" gone cold turkey. The strength it takes to not be scared is greater than words could even begin to describe. When I ate sushi (my favorite food) for the first time in May since recovery, it was the greatest feeling to have it be "My Favorite Food" instead of "Uncontrolled Food" where you either don't eat it at all OR you eat and then bring it back up.

Today, I got new bras that were a size 32B. (which is big proportionally for me) and I told myself I was okay with it. I was a woman of 17 now and I had to learn how not only to be okay with it, but to take pride in it, just like I had to do with my bisexuality. I looked in the mirror with one of them on and shooed The Eating Disorder Fairy away, so she could not morph the image in the mirror any longer. There it all was: my body, my G-tube incision hole included. I repeated a poem called "I Know Girls (Bodylove)" which I plan to get tattooed around the hole.

I still keep in touch with Sacha via E-mail (and the rare phone call) by her request and my delight because. I can't wait to tell her about my feat on Christmas. I think one of the biggest things that Sacha taught me indirectly was this quote from an unknown source: "You are beautifully and wonderfully made." Eating disorder recovery is not about eating food; it is about realizing the truth in that quote. That's what I am learning each day. I am up to 80-something pounds now, the biggest I've ever been and I am trying to tell myself that this is a good thing. That my body deserves to be what it wants and needs to be and that I am NOT defined by a number.

I know girls who are trying to fit into the social norms like squeezing in last year’s prom dress.

I know girls who are low-rise, Mac eyeshadow, and binge-drinking.

I know girls who wonder if they’re a disaster and sexy enough to fit in.

I know girls who are flinging bombs from the mosques of their skin.fallible

Playing Russian Roulette with death is never easy to accept when our bodies are  and flawed.

But when do we draw the line?

When the knife hits the skin, isn’t that the same thing as purging?

We’re so obsessed with death.

Some women just have more guts than others.

Girls like us don’t shoot; we swallow pills.

Still wanting to be beautiful at the morgue.

Still hoping that the mortician finds us attractive.

We may as well be buried in our shoes and handbags and scarves.

Girls, we flirt with death every time we etch a new tally mark into our skin.

I know how to slit my wrist to reveal a battlefield too, but the time has come for us to reclaim our bodies.

Our bodies deserve more than to be war-torn in collateral offering.

This kingdom is a pathetic means to say, “I only know how to exist when I am wanted!”

Girls like us are hardly ever wanted.

We’re used up and sad and drunk and perpetually waiting by the phone for someone to pick up and tell us that we did good.

We did good.

I know I am because I said I am.

I know I am because I said I am.

My body is home.

My body is home.

I know I am because I said I am.

I know I am because I said I am.

I know I am because I said I am.

My body is home.

My body is home.

Try this:

Take your hands over your bumpy lovebody naked and remember the first time you touched someone with the sole purpose of learning all of them.

Touch them because the light was pretty on them and the dust and the sunlight danced the way your heart did.

Touch yourself with a purpose.

Your body is the most beautiful royal.

Fathers and uncles are not claiming your knife anymore.

They are not your razor.

Now put the sharpness back.

Lay your hands flat and feel the surface of scarred skin.

I once touched a tree with charred limbs.

The stump was still breathing, but the tops were just ashy remains.

And sometimes, I wonder what it’s like to come back from that.

Sometimes, I feel forest fires errupting from my wrists.

The smoke signals send out the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

Love your body the way your mother loved your baby feet and remember that this is important.

You are worth more than who you attract.

You are worth more than a waistline.

You are worth more than beer bottles displayed like drunken artifacts.

You are worth more than any naked body could proclaim.

More than anyone in the shadows.

More than a man’s whim or your father’s mistake

You are no less valuable as a size 16 than a size 4.

You are no less valuable as a 32a than a 36c.

Your sexiness is defined by concentric circles within your wood.

It is wisdom that you are a tree stump with leaves sprouting out; reborn.