I was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 12. Although my experiences differ from Tim's, it does continue to have control of certain aspects of my life. It can be difficult to live with OCD and often I find people mocking me when my behaviour is altered due to the condition.
Most people see OCD as a way to describe those who are particular tidy and clean, not realising it is actually a debilitating condition and is often embarrassing for the person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
OCD is an invisible disability and should never be the bud of someone's joke. Please be mindful that we are often dealing with struggles you cannot see. Ask us how we can be better accommodated and included, rather than brush us aside and placed in the incapable or too hard basket!

You can read the article on page 21 at:
https://indd.adobe.com/view/57612ef3-b572-42df-9470-0ffb21691733

#OCD #obsessivecompulsivedisorder #invisabledisability #disability

Original toot date: 23 April, 2023

I have been chatting to people in the ASD community about having online access to #ChloeHayden 's upcoming event in #Melbourne...many of you know I'm a fan 😊

Some good news there - my comments have attracted the attention of Chloe's Mum, who has advised they are now trying to make this happen!

Whilst I understand it might be too late for this to be realised for this particular event, it brings me hope that we might start to see online participation as part of inclusivity plans for every event going forward.

Online events are not just necessary for those of us #COVIDING but also provide a vital option for many with #ASD that find in-person events, particularly in very crowded spaces, too overwhelming.

They also help single parents who cannot leave their child to attend an event in person and remove financial barriers to inclusion for struggling families and those who live remotely.

Today is a good day and I take this as a win for all of us fighting for better inclusion!

For anyone who can attend in-person:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-afternoon-with-chloe-hayden-and-sarah-hayden-tickets-601010266887

#autism #autisminclusion #autismawareness #coviding #StillCOVIDing #online #onlineevents #disability #disabilityinclusion #invisabledisability

Original toot date: 22 March, 2023

#WhoAmIWednesday - Disabled, Neurodiverse & Queer.

I wasn’t sure I should post this story. In fact, I'm still not sure. As I get ready to press the Toot button, my heart rate is increasing, my head is spinning & I feel like I am going to have a panic attack.

But you can’t be what you can’t see. You can’t raise awareness if people don’t know you exist!
So here it is, one of the most personal stories I have shared to date.

Full story here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/WAIWDNQ

#chloeshayden #JordonSteeleJohn
#EllyDesmarchelier
#DiversityandInclusion
#glbt #lgbtqia #LGBTI #GLBTI #queerrights #disabled #disabilities #disability #invisabledisability #disabilityinclusion #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodiversityawareness #ADHD #adultadhd #autistic #autisticadults #autism #autismawareness #autismacceptance #AdultAutism #OCD #obsessivecompulsivedisorder #PCOS #pcoswarrior #pcosawareness #WeAreBrimbank

Original toot date: 02 March, 2023

Today I received a call advising that I was not successful in my application for the Brimbank Disability Advisory Committee. Although this is not the outcome I hoped to achieve, the very lovely Lisa Frost at Brimbank City Council has agreed to keep me connected to Disability Network Groups and other key stakeholders in Brimbank, to ensure inclusion of all people with a disability within community programming and events.
I very much look forward to being a voice for those with physical disabilities, inviable disabilities and neurodivergent communities within Brimbank.
One of the first things I am advocating for (and have been for about 6 months) is more outdoor and online events for those who are immune-compromised, COVID cautious and neurodivergent. I will continue to push for greater inclusion of disabled and at risk people in all areas or our community; whether that be in the arts, sport, cultural activities and events or mental health initiatives.

#WeAreBrimbank #brimbank #disabled #disabilities #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #invisabledisability #CovidIsNotOver #covidisstillhere #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsntOver

I have been chatting to people in the ASD community about having online access to #ChloeHayden 's upcoming event in #Melbourne...many of you know I'm a fan 😊

Some good news there - my comments have attracted the attention of Chloe's Mum, who has advised they are now trying to make this happen!

Whilst I understand it might be too late for this to be realised for this particular event, it brings me hope that we might start to see online participation as part of inclusivity plans for every event going forward.

Online events are not just necessary for those of us #COVIDING but also provide a vital option for many with #ASD that find in-person events, particularly in very crowded spaces, too overwhelming.

They also help single parents who cannot leave their child to attend an event in person and remove financial barriers to inclusion for struggling families and those who live remotely.

Today is a good day and I take this as a win for all of us fighting for better inclusion!

For anyone who can attend in-person:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-afternoon-with-chloe-hayden-and-sarah-hayden-tickets-601010266887

#autism #autisminclusion #autismawareness #coviding #StillCOVIDing #online #onlineevents #disability #disabilityinclusion #invisabledisability

#WhoAmIWednesday - Disabled, Neurodiverse & Queer.

I wasn’t sure I should post this story. In fact, I'm still not sure. As I get ready to press the Toot button, my heart rate is increasing, my head is spinning & I feel like I am going to have a panic attack.

But you can’t be what you can’t see. You can’t raise awareness if people don’t know you exist!
So here it is, one of the most personal stories I have shared to date.

Full story here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/WAIWDNQ

#chloeshayden #JordonSteeleJohn
#EllyDesmarchelier
#DiversityandInclusion
#glbt #lgbtqia #LGBTI #GLBTI #queerrights #disabled #disabilities #disability #invisabledisability #disabilityinclusion #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodiversityawareness #ADHD #adultadhd #autistic #autisticadults #autism #autismawareness #autismacceptance #AdultAutism #OCD #obsessivecompulsivedisorder #PCOS #pcoswarrior #pcosawareness #WeAreBrimbank

Today I received a call advising that I was not successful in my application for the Brimbank Disability Advisory Committee. Although this is not the outcome I hoped to achieve, the very lovely Lisa Frost at Brimbank City Council has agreed to keep me connected to Disability Network Groups and other key stakeholders in Brimbank, to ensure inclusion of all people with a disability within community programming and events.
I very much look forward to being a voice for those with physical disabilities, inviable disabilities and neurodivergent communities within Brimbank.
One of the first things I am advocating for (and have been for about 6 months) is more outdoor and online events for those who are immune-compromised, COVID cautious and neurodivergent. I will continue to push for greater inclusion of disabled and at risk people in all areas or our community; whether that be in the arts, sport, cultural activities and events or mental health initiatives.

#WeAreBrimbank #brimbank #disabled #disabilities #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #invisabledisability #CovidIsNotOver #covidisstillhere #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsntOver

Awoooooo! #introductions
Salu! I'm a #tumblrmmigrant. Thanks to my sponsor for sending me an invite so I could join. :D

I #write #poetry and short #fiction (though the more I practice the longer my pieces get). I periodically do research essays and articles, though I'm on break from that.
I am a #queer, a #thelemite . I work at a #nonprofit helping #disabled folks, which is extra fulfilling bc I am a #spoonie with an #invisabledisability.
Looking forward to smarting off in interesting company!