Accessing disability services as a college freshman By Christina (Philomath) Entering college/university is a huge transition for most young adults. Having a disability increases those challenges in most cases. Below are a few tips on how to get started off right as a freshman with appropriate supports. Know what services your college or university offer that will meet your specific needs. Inquire about the school’s services when deciding on colleges to choose from. Do...
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About ADHD By Cassie (Cassiopeia.) and Nicole (eumoirous) ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is an increasingly popular and controversial topic. It is a developmental disorder that affects the behavior of approximately 11% of children according to the CDC. Awareness for this medical condition has sparked a debate regarding the extent of the severity of the symptoms. Healthcare professionals are continuously assessing the treatment options to help improve the lives of...

Learning disabilities: What they are and why it’s okay to have one By Kylie M. I am pretty open about the fact that I have dyscalculia, a specific learning disability in the area of mathematics. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about my disability and how it affects me personally, but there is one thing that stands out among the rest, that I really wish someone would have told me in my younger years: that it’s okay to be learning disabled. In fact, it’s more than okay! Sometimes it’s...

Coping with a diagnosis of a chronic illness By Harrison (HeavyDirtySoul) A chronic illness is any illness that lasts for a long time (usually more than three months). Some examples of chronic illness are CFS/ME, Elhers Danlos Syndrome, arthritis and HIV. Some are eventually curable, others can go into periods of remission and relapse, and some can be controlled with medications. Many people with chronic illnesses are considered to be disabled due to the way the illness affects daily life....

Worry stones By Cassie (Calico.) Worry stones are smooth stones that vary in size, shape, and color. Some have thumb indentations and are engraved with a single inspirational word, or a phrase. These stones are supposed to alleviate worry when held between your thumb and index fingers. Most worldwide cultures have something similar to alleviate worry, but it is thought that worry stones originated from Native American or Greek cultures. Native Americans had sacred stones that...

Celiac Disease: symptoms and treatment By Dez (Melancholia.) Celiac Disease is a genetic condition that affects the immune system when someone with the condition eats gluten. Gluten is in wheat, barley, and rye. If someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine and harms the villi. This makes it harder for the immune system to properly take in nutrients. About 1% of the population has Celiac Disease . According to the National Institutes...

How to exercise when you have a chronic illness By Cassie (cynefin) source] Finding interesting and fun ways to exercise can be a challenge, especially if you have a chronic illness. Exercise is said to help with illnesses, but as many people know, it can also make you feel a little worse. Here are a few light exercises that are beneficial for those with a chronic illness - and those without - as well as a few different ideas to keep your routine going. Exercises

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Supporting a loved one with cancer By Dez (Terabithia.) What is cancer? The two types of tumors that can be found in the body are benign and malignant: benign tumors are masses of cells that cannot spread to other organs or invade the surrounding tissue, while malignant tumors invade surrounding tissue and may begin to invade other organs if not treated quickly. The term “cancer” is used to describe malignant tumors. Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells in the body begin to grow...

Lucid dreaming By Maria (Gidig) Certainly you can remember a dream you’ve had at least once in all the years you’ve been sleeping. Perhaps it was something realistic, such as going swimming with a friend or doing your homework. Perhaps it was something crazy like buying a mansion in another dimension where Antarctica is the hottest place on Earth. Dreams are a natural part of sleeping and people over the age of ten have about four to six dreams per night. Lucid dreams are something...

The power of speech by Holly Marie (Rie) Those who stutter may face discrimination, bullying, prejudice and even be led to social isolation. Around 60 million people struggle with stuttering, yet most people know very little about this speech disorder. Stuttering may also be referred to as 'stammering', or as a broader term, 'disfluent speech'. Stuttering is a speech disorder in which the sounds and syllables spoken may be prolonged or repeated, disrupting the regular flow of speech....

Healthy Dental Tips for Teenagers to Maintain Great Pearly Whites By Sharon Williams (Guest author) It is essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums at any age and teenage years are no exception. Every teen is conscious about their looks as they want to socialize and fit-in easily without having to worry about their appearance. Therefore, they must practice healthy oral habits to maintain healthy teeth that can build their self-esteem and confidence. You can help them achieve that...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) By Chantal (Atropos) My personal experience with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, has been a very difficult learning process. When you are diagnosed by the specializing doctor (a gastroenterologist) a lot of questions are asked and answered. Some struggles most find when learning that they have IBS include diet, exercise, and therapy. People newly diagnosed with IBS might feel anger, fear, hopelessness, and confusion. What is...

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You're Not Alone: Coping with Hyperhidrosis By Katrina (AppleTini) Going through puberty signifies a multitude of changes in our bodies: some appreciated, some not so much. Whether we're okay with the changes or not though, they're happening, and they're things we should be aware of as we stay in tune with the signs our bodies are showing. Our voice may change, our bodies develop physically, and we may begin to feel different emotions. One such change that many of us are acutely aware of,...