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On this site I tell about my life as queer with a chronic illness. As a passionate storyteller, I exchange information with striking examples and personal experiences. Hopefully you are able to better empathise with my situation. And with that of many others...

Lessons from an old tomcat

My old tomcat, sleeping on my cardigan

For years I have been the happy owner of a cat. Or rather the loyal servant of my house tiger. When he came to me, he was in the prime of his young life. A five-year-old young god who could take on the whole world. Unfortunately I lived in a flat, so that was disappointing: he could only meow to the world from the balcony with his Big Tomcat meow - which he invariably did in the spring.

Everyone already knew…

Djembes [photo: Barbara]

Recently I was at my queer pagan camp, where I have been going for years. As usual there were also djembés and some of us started playing the drums. Usually that doesn't bother me, but one of the drums had a high pitch that hurts my ears. So I took some distance, and one of my friends asked if that has to do with my autism. Autism?! Which autism??

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to raise awareness that people with disabilities often are seen as pitiful or ‘broken’. Too often we are thought about as we need to be fixed, and if that isn’t possible wehey need to be taken care of. This attitude towards people with disabilities turns us into marginalised people.

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Four important words if you have a disability

Jochem. Photo: Johannes Odé

When I became chronically ill, I had no idea I would end up in a new world. A world with its own rules, its own standards and even its own jargon. Where groups usually come up with these things themselves, in Disability Country these are imposed by society. In this column you will read four words that apply especially to people with disabilities.

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Escaped the stranglehold of poverty

Jochem. Photo: Johannes Odé

An article about hidden poverty in the context of the Day of Hidden Poverty.

Seven years ago I suddenly became chronically ill. My life changed completely in one fell swoop. An accident never comes alone, because I could no longer work and ended up on welfare benefit – and that was my biggest disability. Living in poverty is degrading and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! Rescue came completely unexpectedly.

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