Rachel DL
@racheldl.bsky.social
Disabled cartoonist, journalist, and youth advocate based in Madison, WI. Comics and writing in The Washington Post, The Nib, Disability Visibility, Tone. #endyouthhomelessness
Melt ICE 🧊
She/Her
Website: https://www.racheldl.com/
Melt ICE 🧊
She/Her
Website: https://www.racheldl.com/
Pinned
Rachel DL
@racheldl.bsky.social
· Feb 19
"My disabled life is not glamorous, nor is it particularly beautiful. This life is unbearably lonely, often painful, and filled with fear of the unknown about the future. But it deserves to be witnessed."
– Rachel Litchman on poverty and chronic illness
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/forg...
– Rachel Litchman on poverty and chronic illness
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/forg...
Forgotten
Finding my own worth in a frightening shadow world
www.disabilitydebrief.org
Deep thanks to @desibility.bsky.social for working with me on this essay. I'm so happy to be given a space to talk about what the past 6 months have looked like me, from a long time in the hospital, losing my ability to walk, and now - although mostly trapped - home.
Reposted by Rachel DL
I deal with this every day, all day.
"When the people in your life don’t understand PEM, they’re not just failing to understand a symptom. They’re failing to understand the central mechanism that governs your entire existence."
#PwME #ME #MECFS #LongCovid #disability #spoonie #ChronicIllness
"When the people in your life don’t understand PEM, they’re not just failing to understand a symptom. They’re failing to understand the central mechanism that governs your entire existence."
#PwME #ME #MECFS #LongCovid #disability #spoonie #ChronicIllness
This is an excellent piece on PEM by @darthfoo.bsky.social. Seriously considering sending to literally everyone I know.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Why I Can’t Just Meet You for Dinner
The Reality of Post-Exertional Malaise
substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I deal with this every day, all day.
"When the people in your life don’t understand PEM, they’re not just failing to understand a symptom. They’re failing to understand the central mechanism that governs your entire existence."
#PwME #ME #MECFS #LongCovid #disability #spoonie #ChronicIllness
"When the people in your life don’t understand PEM, they’re not just failing to understand a symptom. They’re failing to understand the central mechanism that governs your entire existence."
#PwME #ME #MECFS #LongCovid #disability #spoonie #ChronicIllness
Reposted by Rachel DL
No, this is not the lesson here.
The lesson is if you are in a chat with hundreds of people, no matter the technology, you should assume feds or narcs are in there too.
The lesson is if you are in a chat with hundreds of people, no matter the technology, you should assume feds or narcs are in there too.
Uh Oh! Even Signal Isn't Safe!
Gmail privacy has always been a misnomer.
This is a crisis.
This is a crisis.
November 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
No, this is not the lesson here.
The lesson is if you are in a chat with hundreds of people, no matter the technology, you should assume feds or narcs are in there too.
The lesson is if you are in a chat with hundreds of people, no matter the technology, you should assume feds or narcs are in there too.
Reposted by Rachel DL
BREAKING: Israel has killed 20 Palestinians, including four children, and injured 83 others in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
BREAKING: Israel has killed 20 Palestinians, including four children, and injured 83 others in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/73c1bj
Reposted by Rachel DL
NEW: Evanston has released video + reports surrounding a 10/31 incident where a CBP agent threatened to shoot people + another beat a handcuffed man.
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
Identified: federal agents who pointed gun, punched detainee in Evanston
Unraveled has verified a hate speech-laden X account belonging to U.S. Border Patrol agent Timothy Donahue, who was seen in numerous viral videos during Operation Midway Blitz. He and another agent, T...
unraveledpress.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
NEW: Evanston has released video + reports surrounding a 10/31 incident where a CBP agent threatened to shoot people + another beat a handcuffed man.
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
Reposted by Rachel DL
Seven out of 10 marketplace enrollees say if Affordable Care Act tax credits go away, they won't be able to afford their healthcare.
Healthcare shouldn't only be for the healthy and wealthy, but that's what's going to happen if these tax credits go away for good.
Healthcare shouldn't only be for the healthy and wealthy, but that's what's going to happen if these tax credits go away for good.
November 17, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Seven out of 10 marketplace enrollees say if Affordable Care Act tax credits go away, they won't be able to afford their healthcare.
Healthcare shouldn't only be for the healthy and wealthy, but that's what's going to happen if these tax credits go away for good.
Healthcare shouldn't only be for the healthy and wealthy, but that's what's going to happen if these tax credits go away for good.
Reposted by Rachel DL
"Alice supported and took many people with Long COVID under her wing — I was honored to call her a colleague and friend."
@mileswgriffis.bsky.social in @thesicktimes.org's obituary for the great Alice Wong: thesicktimes.org/2025/11/15/a...
@mileswgriffis.bsky.social in @thesicktimes.org's obituary for the great Alice Wong: thesicktimes.org/2025/11/15/a...
Alice Wong, disability activist and luminary, dies at 51 - The Sick Times
Alice Wong platformed and uplifted people with Long COVID in her final chapter as a lifelong disability advocate and storyteller.
thesicktimes.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:09 AM
"Alice supported and took many people with Long COVID under her wing — I was honored to call her a colleague and friend."
@mileswgriffis.bsky.social in @thesicktimes.org's obituary for the great Alice Wong: thesicktimes.org/2025/11/15/a...
@mileswgriffis.bsky.social in @thesicktimes.org's obituary for the great Alice Wong: thesicktimes.org/2025/11/15/a...
Reposted by Rachel DL
this is a very important part of her legacy, her support for Palestine. one of the things i will always remember is that one of Dr. Refaat Alareer’s last liked posts on Twitter before it turned into x and removed like history is a photo of Alice.
The official obits are rolling in. I hear the NYT mentions nothing about Alice Palestine support ofc. When she won her MacArthur, Alice got death threats from Zionists. They ruined her joy on a HUGE accomplishment. She told me the MacArthur ppl took down her personal statement & when she complained
November 16, 2025 at 6:05 AM
this is a very important part of her legacy, her support for Palestine. one of the things i will always remember is that one of Dr. Refaat Alareer’s last liked posts on Twitter before it turned into x and removed like history is a photo of Alice.
Reposted by Rachel DL
One way I have found to mourn someone is to set up a monthly sustaining donation to a mutual aid effort they cared about. If you can join me in honoring Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social with a sustaining donation today, please do. Thank you Alice, and I will not let the bastards grind me down.
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
One way I have found to mourn someone is to set up a monthly sustaining donation to a mutual aid effort they cared about. If you can join me in honoring Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social with a sustaining donation today, please do. Thank you Alice, and I will not let the bastards grind me down.
Reposted by Rachel DL
Want to honor Alice Wong and her work? Wear a damn mask!
November 15, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Want to honor Alice Wong and her work? Wear a damn mask!
Rest in Power, Alice. I will always be so grateful for everything you taught me about disability justice, as I first discovered my own disabled identity as a teen. I'm honored for the space you gave me in Disability Visibility, and to have been alive with you on this earth at the same time ❤️
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
November 15, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Rest in Power, Alice. I will always be so grateful for everything you taught me about disability justice, as I first discovered my own disabled identity as a teen. I'm honored for the space you gave me in Disability Visibility, and to have been alive with you on this earth at the same time ❤️
This is why disabled people especially disabled people labeled mentally ill have a much harder time being believed
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
This is why disabled people especially disabled people labeled mentally ill have a much harder time being believed
Reposted by Rachel DL
BREAKING: The Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Reposted by Rachel DL
The regime despises poor people, yes. And importantly it does not fear poor people as a political force. It's important to take both of these together to understand what they are doing with SNAP. They do not believe that they will incur lasting political costs for their current actions.
November 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The regime despises poor people, yes. And importantly it does not fear poor people as a political force. It's important to take both of these together to understand what they are doing with SNAP. They do not believe that they will incur lasting political costs for their current actions.
Reposted by Rachel DL
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
In Chicago, We Run Toward Danger Together
"Faced with unrelenting state violence, Chicagoans have refused to be cowed," says Mariame Kaba.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
Reposted by Rachel DL
Being on SNAP benefits for 17 years, I've NEVER been told I wouldn't be paid my benefits. NEVER. What is going on is BEYOND cruel. The ppl w/disabilities, ppl w/chronic illnesses & cancer, seniors already isolated, the 16M hh's w/children. WE REFUSE TO BE A NUMBER. WE ARE PEOPLE. WE DESERVE DIGNITY.
November 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Being on SNAP benefits for 17 years, I've NEVER been told I wouldn't be paid my benefits. NEVER. What is going on is BEYOND cruel. The ppl w/disabilities, ppl w/chronic illnesses & cancer, seniors already isolated, the 16M hh's w/children. WE REFUSE TO BE A NUMBER. WE ARE PEOPLE. WE DESERVE DIGNITY.
Reposted by Rachel DL
Great read about Chicago’s growing resistance movement against Operation Midway Blitz. Story of community, solidarity, and empathy bringing the children of day laborers together with suburban moms. Gift link. By Andrew Carter @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Inside Chicago’s growing resistance movement against Operation Midway Blitz: ‘Small acts have huge consequences’
In Chicago, the resistance to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation mission has taken many forms. A movement has grown through acts large and small.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Great read about Chicago’s growing resistance movement against Operation Midway Blitz. Story of community, solidarity, and empathy bringing the children of day laborers together with suburban moms. Gift link. By Andrew Carter @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Reposted by Rachel DL
🔥This is a killer quote by @tinywriterlaura.bsky.social in 'Awakened':
👉denoting when the CDC 'renamed' ME to CFS in 1988 after the outbreak in Lake Tahoe.
#pedanticzebra
👉denoting when the CDC 'renamed' ME to CFS in 1988 after the outbreak in Lake Tahoe.
#pedanticzebra
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🔥This is a killer quote by @tinywriterlaura.bsky.social in 'Awakened':
👉denoting when the CDC 'renamed' ME to CFS in 1988 after the outbreak in Lake Tahoe.
#pedanticzebra
👉denoting when the CDC 'renamed' ME to CFS in 1988 after the outbreak in Lake Tahoe.
#pedanticzebra
Finally, some good news 🙌🙌
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Finally, some good news 🙌🙌
Reposted by Rachel DL
Once again, for people in the back: graded exercise therapy, while great for many illnesses, does not help ME/CFS and can, in fact, worsen your condition. Unfortunately, chances are your doctor doesn't know this despite existing guidelines. So if you have or get Long Covid, be warned.
A new analysis shows that no evidence exists for using graded exercise therapy for #MECFS - an issue that has come to the forefront again with #LongCovid research, reports @medscape.com.
Read the full Medscape article here: wb.md/4oWpDRk
Read the full Medscape article here: wb.md/4oWpDRk
No Evidence Supports Using Graded Exercise for ME/CFS
Studies examining the effects of activity-based interventions haven’t required post-exertional malaise as a core criterion for the now-termed ‘myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.’
wb.md
November 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Once again, for people in the back: graded exercise therapy, while great for many illnesses, does not help ME/CFS and can, in fact, worsen your condition. Unfortunately, chances are your doctor doesn't know this despite existing guidelines. So if you have or get Long Covid, be warned.
Reposted by Rachel DL
Teen Vogue was seriously committed to diverse and inclusive journalism and their disability coverage was extremely good. This is a big loss and someone better snap this column up!!
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 6, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Teen Vogue was seriously committed to diverse and inclusive journalism and their disability coverage was extremely good. This is a big loss and someone better snap this column up!!
Reposted by Rachel DL
Reposted by Rachel DL
Someone give Lex $2 million so they can launch a politics version of Teen Vogue. Do it now. No strings attached.
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Someone give Lex $2 million so they can launch a politics version of Teen Vogue. Do it now. No strings attached.
Reposted by Rachel DL
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
Reposted by Rachel DL
...and less than 24 hours later Condé Nast has fired Lex and the rest of the Teen Vogue political desk, even as stories like this were bringing huge numbers of readers to the site
dissatisfied by the New York Times coverage of Zohran Mamdani?
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
Zohran Mamdani's Establishment-Fighting Campaign Built Community for Young People
“What Mamdani has done is not only inspire and mobilize young people, but he has exposed the establishment and some of their calcified views of participation and inclusion.”
www.teenvogue.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
...and less than 24 hours later Condé Nast has fired Lex and the rest of the Teen Vogue political desk, even as stories like this were bringing huge numbers of readers to the site
Reposted by Rachel DL
New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New awareness campaign