Thoughts on disability, bodies, and some links I'm loving!
Welcome to the August Newsletter!
Here’s what’s in store in this newsletter:
🤔 A thought I’m processing on Disability Pride Month
💕 A thought I’m loving on bodies
🔗 Some link love
📆 A full recap & links to this past month’s posts
🤔 A thought I’m processing [on Disability Pride Month]
Did you know that July was Disability Pride Month? (I know, I know. Doesn’t it feel like there’s a month for everything? Honestly, there’s not. And there are probably so many people who feel unseen and forgotten in our society who need to be acknowledged. 😬 )
I’ve always thought the word pride was a funny one to associate with a chronic disabling condition. Am I proud that my body and mind don’t work properly? 😵💫 I think that’s a no?
But am I proud to be a part of this community? Yes. Honored might be a better word.
I am not kidding when I tell you - I have been SHOCKED and overwhelmed by the graciousness with which the disabled community engages with each other, and welcomes new members without shaming or resenting those of us who have previously held ableist positions and privilege.
It blows my mind.
As I scroll through my Long Covid Facebook group (with north of 60k participants), I see comment after comment of love and support. People are SO kind to each other. Everyone is validated, regardless of how the struggles vary. As some members of our community have been lost to suicide, these beautiful people (who have ZERO energy and capacity left after daily life tasks) have started a 24/7 support line for one another. Not a place for professional help, just a way to talk to someone who understands.
I’ve learned so much, and truly been humbled and honored to connect with these people.
💕 A thought I’m loving [on bodies]
I have such an obsession with Hillary McBride right now and LOVED a thought she shared in July. I’ve linked to the full post in the links section, but this:
Last week I did a media interview about postpartum body image and perinatal mental health. We talked about how a mother’s body, venerated while pregnant, seems to become invisible postpartum. Because we are our bodies, this absence represents something more about what it means culturally to be a mother. As goes the implicit and inherently damaging social script: your body is valued as a woman when it is good for someone else, and then it must disappear, only to re emerge when no signs of motherhood, aging, or change appear, only when it can be objectified again…
Now, two years into motherhood, what I still wish for more than anything is that we can change the cultural landscape enough that any body, especially those whose bodies are defying the outdated and rigid ideals, can be celebrated, valued, visible. I want a disruption to the story of women’s bodies, mothers bodies. No goals of returning to the before. No hiding of what is. Our bodies are not only valuable if they are used or good for someone else’s pleasure or survival, but simply because they are ours: sacred in every stage.
🔗 Some link love
The above-mentioned post from Hillary
Hillary’s book on The Wisdom of the Body
A podcast episode (with Hillary) that I LOVED
A nice graphic about prioritizing tasks
Some beautiful words
Some tips on how to talk to people you disagree with
📆 What you missed in July
Below are some links to what I’ve shared this past month! (Please note that some of my messier thoughts and musings are behind a paywall. You can read more about why I do that here, and feel free to upgrade your subscription to access them.)
Division in the Church - some thoughts on how the true division we’re experiencing might be within ourselves
Double Binds for Singles in the church - a little light talk on how the church sets single people up to go insane
The Third Way - an excerpt from my teaching notes
When feedback & accountability isn’t real - some spicy thoughts
Hold on - a post about how life can surprise you in good ways
It’s July and I’ve got some stuff I’m processing - July’s newsletter