Annie in wonderland

This is a deeply personal post, and I want to start by saying thank you. To my friends, my family, my support team—you’ve shown up for me with grace and dignity, and I don’t take that lightly. Whether it’s through practical help, quiet encouragement, or just being a consistent presence, your support has helped me face something hard: the reality that I’m not functioning as highly as I once believed. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m still high-functioning in a lot of ways. But one of my conditions, Sjögren’s syndrome , is progressing. And that’s hard. It’s a quiet, relentless reminder that I do live with disability and chronic illness, and that pretending otherwise doesn’t help me anymore. I’m working with all the right professionals—my doctors , pharmacist , and now a dietitian , too. (Pharmacists, by the way, are wildly underrated. They’ve helped me make sense of side effects and medication changes in ways that actually make sense in day-to-day life.) But even with all this support, ther...

   This is a back-to-basics post on what mobility aids are, with photos below of different types of wheelchairs used in various settings. I also want to cover some basic etiquette around mobility aids, as well as explain their unique functions in promoting independence. Types of Wheelchairs and Their Uses: Shower Wheelchair : This chair is designed to be used in the shower, allowing users to maintain their hygiene independently. Its water-resistant design and secure construction mean it can be safely used in wet environments. This aid promotes independence in personal care, reducing dependence on staff for daily needs. Hospital Chair : Often used in medical settings, hospital chairs provide safe and comfortable seating for people with temporary or long-term mobility needs. They’re built for easy maneuvering and support, allowing users to retain some mobility during their stay, with assistance as needed. Manual Wheelchair : This type of wheelchair is self-propelled, often givin...