Jason Thibeault @lousycanuck@mastodon.the-orbit.net

Today is #InternationalDayofDisabilities and I'd like to show off my hearing aids once again.

Without them I'm a poorly concentrated, tired and grumpy person. With them I can talk and work for hours, I can listen and be in noisy environments without getting exhausted.

Hearing loss is an invisible disability. You can't tell that I'm hearing impaired from looking at me, because my hearing aids are often hidden by my hair or simply hard to spot behind my ears. That also makes it harder to have my needs met. Even with hearing aids I need that people look at me and speak clearly when they're talking to me.

I often feel like I'm an imposter when I call myself disabled, but the alternative is to pretend I have a normal hearing and stop functioning in everyday life. I'm beyond happy and grateful that I live in a country where I get hearing aids for free and where I have rights both as a disabled student and in the workplace.

And here are my tiny, wonderful hearing aids 💞

If you're going to mock by impersonation, you have to do it in a way that isn't just asking that people put up with stuff they're already tired of. It's worth remembering, especially online where you could easily come off as just another obnoxious rando.

People really need to learn that affecting something irritating without either deliberate and well-executed uncanniness or clear satirical intent is just making others put up with something annoying.

@lousycanuck @Red a Mary sue is any female character with agency

@Absolutely_Blakely @rufousboi I like this headline because it admits that cops are right wing

Lmao