Category: health

activism, Career, health, long covid

In Praise of FMLA

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Photograph of a yellow cage holding many stacked cubbies storing a variety of safety hardhats
Photo by Pop & Zebra on Unsplash

In 1993, US President Bill Clinton signed into law the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This was one of his first acts as president, and it was the fulfillment of a campaign promise to provide more protection for working families. His predecessor, George H.W. Bush, vetoed it twice despite widespread support for the bill. 

Signing this act into law was, unfortunately, the pinnacle of Clinton’s progressive agenda. He went on to gut welfare and pass NAFTA. Clinton’s presidency is a textbook example of neoliberal abandonment of poor and working class Americans, and by default, almost the entirety of the middle class. 

But at least we have FMLA.

Continue reading “In Praise of FMLA” →
body, Brain, Creativity, health, Letting Go, long covid

Smoke Signals: Notes on Phantosmia

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Photograph of a single orange flower with smoke coming from the blossom and smoke all around.
Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

Outside, someone was smoking. The stink leaked in around the closed front windows. It stung my eyes as I sat in my partner’s living room in an easy chair, slogging through a work task. This has been my setup for the better part of the past year: balancing on the tightrope between productivity and rest. Pillows, lap trays, things to hold my feet up. Sunlight. Headphones. Pomodoros.

I tried to ignore the smell but it grew stronger. I glanced out but couldn’t see anyone outside. The place is nestled in a cohousing community with a small group of neighbors. Some may light up the occasional joint, but no cigarette smokers. 

So it must be someone delivering a package. Or working on a neighbor’s gutters.

The smell persisted. An hour? More? I kept working and the reek kept lingering. No voices, no sound of hammering. Just birds and crickets, and as far as I know, none of them have taken up smoking.

Continue reading “Smoke Signals: Notes on Phantosmia” →
body, disability, health, Learning, long covid

Maintenance Required: Notes on a Crash

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Photograph of an old rusted out car sitting on a dirt driveway near a fence and some run-down houses. A cactus is growing next to the car.
Photo by Angelique Downing from Burst

In a Disney princess bag behind the passenger seat lives the crash kit. Here is what you’ll find inside:

  • One basic medium pillow
  • One fuzzy neck pillow
  • One blackout eye mask
  • One pair of Loop earplugs
  • One packet of electrolyte powder
Continue reading “Maintenance Required: Notes on a Crash” →
body, disability, Dogs, Fitness, health, long covid

COVID-versary

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Me: I’ve been thinking a lot about where we were this week last year

Co-worker: Were we in WA? Where your whole life changed and you were so sick??

Me: That’s the place! I was about to be escorted off campus. But it was a great first two days!

It’s the one-year anniversary of my first (and so far, only) COVID infection and I’m spending it much the same way as I spent the week in 2022. Dizzy, queasy, exhausted, and trusting that work can get on without me. 

And bored. So very bored.

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