PGP / SPD My story:

Too sensitive!!!! I'd rather be labelled "too sensitive" than become the kind of person who watches others being mistreated and shrugs their shoulders. For years I was told I was too emotional, too intense, too caring, too outspoken, too affected by things that "weren't my problem." What I've learned is that many people confuse empathy with weakness because they have become so used to cruelty, gossip, bullying, exclusion, injustice, and abuse that they barely notice it anymore. I notice it. I notice when people are struggling. I notice when someone is being targeted. I notice when vulnerable people are being ignored. I notice when something isn't right. And no, I don't think that's a flaw. The world doesn't need fewer people who care. It needs more. If being "sensitive" means I speak up when others stay silent, help when others walk away, and refuse to normalise harmful behaviour, then I'm perfectly happy wearing that label....

I Don’t Fit — And I’m Tired of Pretending That I Should There’s a kind of exhaustion that doesn’t come from a single bad day, or even a bad week. It comes from years of accumulation, from layers of experiences that never quite resolve, from constantly having to brace yourself before anything has even happened. It sits in the body, in the nervous system, in the quiet moments where you realise you are already tired before the day has even begun. And that is where I am. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and deeply, fundamentally exhausted. Because the truth is, I don’t fit. Not neatly, not comfortably, not in the way the world seems to expect people to. I don’t fit into the boxes that are presented as “normal”, and I don’t fit into spaces that claim to be inclusive until you exist in a way that challenges them. There is always a line, an invisible one, where acceptance quietly turns into discomfort, where support turns into silence, and where difference becomes something peo...

Not Everyone Who Stands With You Is Safe — Learning to Walk Away Without Guilt     There comes a point where you stop trying to understand people who were never trying to understand you, and I’ve reached that point—not because I don’t care, not because it doesn’t hurt, but because I’ve finally accepted something that took me far too long to learn. Not everyone who smiles at you is safe, not everyone who supports you is genuine, and not everyone who stands beside you intends to stay there. Some people stand beside you just long enough to see what you’ve built, and then they try to tear it down. Backstabbing isn’t always loud or obvious, it doesn’t always come with dramatic exits or clear warning signs. Sometimes it looks like support, sometimes it sounds like kindness, sometimes it feels like alignment—until it doesn’t. Until the tone shifts, the respect disappears, and you realise the same people you were protecting, supporting, and showing up for are the ones speaking against...

  Being Different - Neurodivergent and Observant: There’s something I’ve noticed, especially as someone who is neurodivergent. We often see the patterns others don’t. We see people venting, sharing, asking for advice, being supported, being included… and we learn from that. We take it as a cue for how connection works. So when we show up in those same ways — open, honest, seeking support or offering it — we expect the same response. But instead, we’re treated like a problem. And that disconnect is confusing, because the behaviour isn’t different — the reaction is. It highlights something deeper. Support, for some people, is conditional. It’s given to those they relate to. Those they understand. Those who fit their comfort zone. But true support — real support — is inclusive. It doesn’t pick and choose based on who is easiest to empathise with. Because the truth is, the people who show up differently, who communicate differently, who might not follow the same unspoken social rules… ...

Ableism Isn’t “Semantics” — It’s Harm.  Being an advocate really gets people's backs up, asking for kindness seems to be the new target as people freely enable abuse and harm and name call, be bitter and get personal; defend that but get abusive and mad when someone asks for basic respect. The amount of hypocrisy and lack of accountability is atrocious. I was kindly explaining ableism recently, (wanting people to stop comparing struggles as a means to ridicule, belittle, query or just be outright awful about others different struggles.) and I became a target of people who failed to fact check, gain clarification and just said the most personal and derogatory things whilst simultaneously agreeing with me without even realising it, and others were outright ableist. Period. I don't use that word lightly - ableism. It's a legitimate form of abuse and needs challenging. All struggles are valid. 💯 One of the worst comments I've come across, and I've legitimately blocked ...

Ableism - A Break Down by Kawaii Doll Decora: Ableism isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like misunderstanding, impatience, or punishment for thinking differently. This series breaks down how learning and cognitive differences are often mislabelled as personal failings — instead of recognised as valid differences in how brains work. Needing more time, clearer wording, repetition, or literal language isn’t a flaw. It’s not a failure. And you are not alone. This space exists to educate gently, reduce shame, and remind people that safety, boundaries, and self-trust matter. 💗 By Kawaii Doll Decora  🌸 Disability-affirming education & advocacy 🔗 KawaiiDollDecora.uk #ableism #disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights Alt text: A series of soft pastel pink, kawaii-style infographics by Kawaii Doll Decora explaining ableism and neurodivergent processing. A gentle illustrated character appears throughout, seated at a...

When I Shut Down, I’m Not Punishing You A neurodivergent explanation of overwhelm, boundaries, and repair There’s a persistent misunderstanding about neurodivergent people — particularly autistic and AuDHD people — that when we shut down, go quiet, or step away, we’re being difficult. We’re not. When I end a call, stop responding, or need space, it isn’t rejection, manipulation, or the so-called “silent treatment”. It’s my nervous system hitting capacity. Shutdown isn’t simply feeling upset or stressed; it’s a full-body response. Sound, tone, conflict, emotional intensity, expectations, time pressure — they all stack. And once that stack tips over, my brain can no longer process safely. At that point, continuing the conversation doesn’t lead to understanding; it leads to escalation, shutdown, or harm. So I pause — not because I don’t care, but because I care enough not to push myself past a point that causes damage. Pressure makes this worse. When someone pushes for reassurance, mutter...

Autonomy, Trauma, and Neurodivergence: Why Choice Is Not Optional Autonomy is often discussed as a personal preference or a lifestyle value, but for trauma survivors and neurodivergent people it is far more than that. It is a clinical, psychological, and ethical necessity. Research across trauma studies, neuroscience, and disability scholarship consistently shows that a sense of control over one’s body, environment, and decisions is central to nervous system regulation, mental wellbeing, and long‑term recovery. Without autonomy, even well‑intentioned support can unintentionally cause harm. This article explores why freedom of choice is so critical for trauma‑affected and neurodivergent individuals, how the loss of agency impacts the nervous system, and why respecting autonomy is a core principle of trauma‑informed and neurodiversity‑affirming practice. It also draws on the social model of disability, which recognises that many of the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people face are...

From Argument to Advocacy: My Journey of Healing There was a time when I was quick to argue, always ready to defend myself against anyone who misunderstood me or dismissed my perspective. I carried so much pain, injustice, and frustration that it spilled into the way I communicated. If someone challenged me, I pushed back — hard. Looking back, I can see that this was less about the discussion itself and more about my own need to be heard, believed, and validated. But healing changes you. Today, I no longer argue for the sake of it. I state my points, calmly and clearly, and then I leave it there. Not because I don’t care, but because I’ve learned that not everyone listens to understand. Many people simply talk at others, desperate to push out their own view without really absorbing what’s being said. And that’s okay — healing takes time, and not everyone is there yet. When something doesn’t make sense, I will still challenge it — because I believe our communities deserve better. But I...

  https://www.flipsnack.com/A58FF588B7A/zine-nd-lgbtq/full-view.html My art piece 'FeministAngel24' is featured in this newsletter! ❤️ #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #pride #Pride2025 #PrideMonth2025 #disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights Taken from a co- creator of the newsletter/magazine, Cat Con Tillo: "Our new digital zine Unapologetically Us: Disabled, Proud, and Resilient, Volume 1, is officially live! This project was born from the idea that disabled and neurodivergent voices deserve to be front and center; unfiltered, unapologetic, and powerful. Working on this alongside Larissa Minner and Nathan Chung and our amazing contributors has been emotional and empowering. This zine is for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or unheard, and I’m so proud of what we’ve built together. The debut issue features raw stories, original artwork, essays, poetry, and reflections from disabled creators; including an inc...