Meghan Lorenc-Shafer > Recent Status Updates

I’m bawling my eyes out

Loving this. The info is fascinating and the writing is engaging and fun.

Petition to make this the must-read classic of Christmastime

Hearing people talk about being proud to be in the disabled community made me realize that while I hate everything about my chronic pain and chronic illnesses, I am proud to be in a community filled with some of the most resilient and compassionate people around ❤️

“…because her chronically ill body often vetoed things.”

Same, girl. Same.

Hoooooooooked. I’m majorly into cult documentaries though.

Trying not to cry as this book reaches modern times and starts talking about me. Having flashbacks about when I fought and pleaded to see a rheumatologist and when I finally got in, he told me to see a therapist. Reader, not only have I been in therapy for over a decade, but a year later I’ve been diagnosed with TWO conditions primarily treated by rheumatologists.

The pattern of using health-based methods to control/silence women is so undeniable when you go decade by decade through the history. The lobotomy to tranquilizer pipeline was especially frightening.

This is so good/important/thorough. I’d never heard about the fight to legalize birth control. But the woman in charge of that and I have beef. What do you mean you’re into eugenics? We were rooting for you!!

I can already tell this is essential feminist reading. It’s not only important to hear women with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, but it’s going through the history of women’s health and it’s fascinating. And a mixture of hilarious and horrifying? Idk, maybe I’m not sick, I just have wandering uterus 🤷🏻‍♀️

The way the author describes the effort she used to put in to appear stereotypically “respectable” sounds so much like autism masking. I have so much sympathy. I’m working on unmasking and it’s far, far more challenging than it sounds, but the other option takes an even heavier toll.

“Girls in the hood must learn to present only the fraction of themselves deemed acceptable while also working twice as hard to get half as far in life.”

“There’s nothing feminist about having so many resources at your fingertips and choosing to be ignorant. Nothing empowering or enlightening in deciding that intent trumps impact. Especially when the consequences aren’t going to be experienced by you, but will instead be experienced by someone from a marginalized community.”

My brain is like 😵‍💫 trying to keep up with all the callbacks and connections. Absolutely fascinating.

Ooh, I can already tell this is going to hit close to home, and not just because the main character (and author!) is from Michigan

This author is so witty and bold. I love her.

Fascinating so far, but do noooooot read this if you don’t have a strong stomach. It balances humor with respect well, though.