drahill

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By drahill • 14 years ago

How does one prepare to be a Mother with a Disability?

I am 24 years old and in a committed relationship that will likely turn into a marriage within the foreseeable future. Also in the foreseeable future, we would like to have at least one biological child. Sometimes, just to see what sorts of decisions I might have to make in being a mother or what kinds of concerns I should have, I look at parenting websites and/or baby product reviews. A few days ago, I stumbled across this product review.
The product itself is used to prop up a baby bottle when the mother does not have both arms or hands free. Granted, I have heard a lot about how bottle-propping can be unsafe if it is done unmonitored. The comments on the post reflect this concern. However, a few comments do raise the issue of mothers who may not have the use of both hands and arms to feed a child as a result of a disability. I read the review because I know a young mother with sickle cell anemia, which can often cause severe pain in one’s limbs. She has said that sometimes, during flare-ups, that bottle-propping is one of the few ways that she can feed her son. She monitors him closely, but sometimes, she just finds it impossible to hold him or the bottle.

By drahill • 14 years ago

The Right to Choose for the Mentally Ill

As a regular reader here, I know that mental illness is not a foreign topic to these boards. In fact, it comes up and is addressed with some frequency. I have encountered a great deal of diversity of thought among my feminist-identified friends when it comes to how to talk about mental illness. I have a manic disorder myself, and am a part of a community group where people with other illnesses are present as well. A few years ago, I made the decision that prescription medication was not working for me. It made me sick to my stomach. It caused such side effects that I would rather deal with the disease than the cure. My doctor tried multiple varieties, ...

By drahill • 14 years ago

I Have Something I Common with Michael Vick

I do not often speak about myself, or my past to many people. The anonymity of the internet is a good thing sometimes, I suppose. But with a lot being said about Michael Vick and his re-entry into society, I feel compelled to speak up some actions and words that have been going around lately. So here goes…

I am an offender.

When I was 18, I was involved in something that was absolutely wrong in every way. I assaulted someone who I was having an argument with. I was experiencing a state of mania and agitation when I did it. That is no excuse for it. I was initially charged with aggravated assault and had a decent public defender who ...

I do not often speak about myself, or my past to many people. The anonymity of the internet is a good thing sometimes, I suppose. But with a lot being said about Michael Vick and his re-entry ...

By drahill • 14 years ago

No Vice Taxes – Why Is Food Policy So Classist?

I’ve written about my family on these boards before, but in the past few days, they have journeyed from our tiny town in Montana to visit me in Los Angeles, where I currently reside. My mother and youngest sister were walking down the street with me. We were in the park and sat down on a bench to rest. My sister was drinking from a juice box that, from the label, it was very clear that she was drinking Hi-C. A young woman (with her own toddler) was strolling by and felt compelled to let my mother know that Hi-C contains high-fructose corn syrup and is BAD for you. When my mother told her to mind her own business, the ...

By drahill • 15 years ago

Mama Said Knock You Out: Fighting’ Feminism

I have always been aware that feminism, and those who hold feminist beliefs, is deeply linked to many tenants of non-violence and a majority of women I know who identify as feminist also embrace the ideas of pacifism and non-violent living. And that’s a admirable thing, which I respect them greatly for. However, it’s become a bit of an issue between myself (and a few of my friends) and several feminists that we all know mutually. And here’s the rub:
I belong to a gym that offers sessions and classes in both boxing, martial arts, and what’s referred to as MMA (mixed martial arts or ultimate fighting). These classes are women only and taught and referred by women who have ...

By drahill • 15 years ago

What’s Wrong with Rednecks?

There’s been something weighing on my mind quite strongly, and I just thought I’d throw it out here and see some the thoughts I get back. Well, here goes…
I am a redneck.
I am from an extremely small town in western Montana (pop. Less than 600 people). Up until I left to attend school in the District of Columbia area, I never thought it was strange or weird. But when I lived in the greater D.C. area (I lived in Virginia), my viewpoint started to change. People would ask me “where are you from?” And I would say Montana. And they’d say something along the lines of “Oh, aren’t you glad to be out?” or “I’ll bet you’re so ...

There’s been something weighing on my mind quite strongly, and I just thought I’d throw it out here and see some the thoughts I get back. Well, here goes…
I am a redneck.
I am from an ...

By drahill • 15 years ago

So What’s In A (Boy or Girl) Name?

I know feminists devote a lot of energy and time to thinking about how people have a tendency to “gender” things (and why they shouldn’t be at all) but this last week, I sort of got a short introduction into what may be the hardest things we have when it comes to un-genendering…
our names.
As I’ve said before, my parents have 5 girls. Now, my name is quite sterotypically female, as is the name of my next sister. The 10 year old, however, is named Wesley Ray. My mother picked the name for a very dear (male) friend of hers who passed less than a week before the birth, and she thought it would be nice. My youngest sister ...

I know feminists devote a lot of energy and time to thinking about how people have a tendency to “gender” things (and why they shouldn’t be at all) but this last week, I sort of got a ...

By drahill • 15 years ago

Breastfeeding vs. Women’s Health: So Which Wins?

I have been mulling over this for a few days, since the incident occurred, and I am still trying to formulate answer as to what I think the best response is.
I am part of a group that is comprised of people with varying mental disorders – this is through my therapist’s office. One of the women, who I am pretty close with, because we are both bipolar – came in with an upsetting story. She recently had a baby, which was a incredibly happy moment for her. But she was very upset with what happened afterwards in the birthing center. The center permits lactation consultants to come in and speak with the women prior to feeding their newborns to ...

I have been mulling over this for a few days, since the incident occurred, and I am still trying to formulate answer as to what I think the best response is.
I am part of a group ...