10/27/25 - Hydration, workout inclusion, and wheelchair costumes
Hello!
It feels like a good day to take a short break from anxiety-inducing disability issues. Today's links are a bit lighter. And no mention of Trump! Except there. OK, I ruined it. Sorry about that! Anyway, on to today's links ...
Hydration Hacks For a Wheelchair User
Megan DeJarnett, SpinalMuscularAtrophy.net - October 9, 2025
"Initially, I dreaded the frequent restroom visits that came with increased water intake. It felt like a daunting obstacle, especially when it meant asking for help more often. However, I’ve learned to embrace it. Prioritizing my health and hydration means acknowledging that these breaks are a part of the process, and there’s absolutely no shame in that.”
I don't use a wheelchair, at least not regularly. But I can relate to some of the different barriers and tradeoffs people with various kinds of disabilities face in something as simple as drinking enough water during the day. My main problem is that almost all of the water bottles on the market are too big for me. I recently found a 6 oz water bottle I like a lot. But I haven't yet settled into a routine of taking it everywhere and coordinating when I can run it through the dishwasher. These probably seem like insignificant problems to most non-disabled people. But having to deal very deliberately with very small problems does seem to be part of the disability experience.
Disabled strongwoman hopes to tackle gym stigmas
Leigh Boobyer and Claire Carter, BBC - October 8, 2025
"Ms Greer said she discovered her love for the gym while at Hartpury University, but able-bodied PTs would 'wrap me up in cotton wool', telling her to "stay away from weights and stick to cardio-based machines" ... 'When I started in the gym scene it was like 'awh, the disabled kid is trying to get fitter'. I'm like 'no, I want to bash records',' she told BBC's Extra Time programme .”
The "If there's a will, there's a way" thing can easily be overemphasized with disabled people. For one thing, it's literally not true. It's only sometimes true. At the same time, other people doubting you or being uncomfortable with your presence and efforts should never deter us. I don't know if weightlifting is a universally relevant goal for disabled people. But it's nice to see people out there showing that those of us who do want to do it shouldn't be put off by anyone else's perceptions.
They Came from Planet Wheelchair! How Costuming Your Wheelchair Adds to the Halloween Fun
John Mohler, New Mobility - October 25, 2025
"Many of us wheelchair-users have struggled at times with others’ staring. There’s something joyous then about costuming you and your chair together and encouraging even more staring but on your terms. This is me. This is my chair. Also, my costume’s better than yours.”
I'm not sure I like the opening costume example of "Joltin' Johnny" in this piece. It reminds me of some of the disability stigma concerns discussed in one of last Thursday's linked articles. But I appreciate the overall message here. And wheelchair costumes really can be amazing.
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