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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4h

Not being able to easily spot a disability doesn't mean it isn't disabling! Someone healthy looking who parks in a disabled bay may not be wrong, selfish etc. They may have a disability that you haven't noticed.
(sticker from www.stickmancommunications.co.uk/product-page... )

Rectangular blue sticker stating "Not every disability is visible" with 4 stickmen: walking with pain zaps and swirling exhausted eyes, with an artificial limb, out of breath, and a fatigue zombie.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 11h

It arrived!!! So I was able to have lunch. Now it’s time to assemble it!

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 12h

Waiting for a bed frame to be delivered at some point in the next hour. Absolutely cannot do anything else while awaiting. The world is on pause til it arrives.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 1d

There are SO many conditions that can affect our ability to speak and make it harder - from conditions like TMJD which make moving the mouth painful, to strokes, to fatigue, to neurodivergence. But often what we need is similar: people to give us time to find our words - and listen to them.

difficulty speaking card with striped border and 2 stickmen having a chat, with text "I find speaking difficult. Please give me time to say what I want to say. I'll let you know if I need help with it."

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Reposted by Stickman Communications

hypermobility.org @hmsacharity.bsky.social · 2d

🎤 Ask the Experts: Hypermobility Edition
🆓Event🗓️ 16 Oct⏰ 7pm BST📍 Zoom + ▶️
👩‍⚕️ @Jo Southall (Occupational Therapist) + Reema Chadha (Physio + Bollywood dancer!) share their tips on pacing, joint protection, mobility aids & more
🔗 hypermobility.org/events
#Hypermobility #AskTheExperts #JointWellness

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 2d

Definitely!

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 2d

Curls up and whimpers. I mean, really pleased with what‘s Got done, had fabulous help. But oh my word i need to curl up in bed with a heat pack. (And thats what I’ll do after my cuppa)

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 2d

Yep. It just added amother layer of exhaustion. But it’s not too long til bedtime.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 2d

Weirdly reassuring as someone who just managed to choke for 5 minutes on a croissant I ate half an hour ago! I am not alone. seriously though, hope you are ok.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 3d

of coping with all the extras, then gently catching up once this patch is over. This evening I'll be nesting for recharge purposes.
#Pacing #Recharging #Self-management #Hypermobility #PoTS

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 3d

This week is TOUGH, and next week will be too. Lots of house-move related stuff going on, plus many health-related appointments. All things I have to do at the allocated times/dates. So this week pacing means doing as little as possible of routine stuff to give myself the best chance -

Stickman curled up on a sofa, under a red blanket, with many cushions, by a table with a hot drink and TV remote. Stickman is smiling slightly through it's exhaustion.

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Reposted by Stickman Communications

Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4d

1/2 Previous feedback about this idea made it clear it needs to be OK to receive if you have a hidden disability - as well as clear enough for non-disabled ppl to maybe think twice next time. So here's the current draft. What do ppl think? It will be printed as an A6, single sided, coloured flyer.

Draft flyer to tuck onto windscreen of vehicles parked in blue badge spaces but not showing a badge. What do you think? - below is a draft of the flyer. Blue border with 'Don't forget to put your blue badge up!' then 'If you aren’t disabled, please don’t park in designated disabled spaces as they may be the only way a disabled person can safely access this area. Thank you.' - next to a group of 5 disabled stickmen: in a wheelchair, with a walking stick, with tinted glasses and a white cane, with a dizzy swirl about their head, and one with pain zaps. Copyright stickman communications 2025

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4d

And ppl with hidden disabilities who might have forgotten to put their badge out need to not feel attacked or judged if they recieve the flyer.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4d

There are hidden disabilities represented in the image. Lots of ppl wanted it to remind ppl that blue badges aren’t just for wheelchair users. Not to strengthen that assumption by focusing on wheelchair users.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4d

2/2 (Note: Several overseas customers said they'd be interested but use different terminology, so I'm currently thinking of creating a downloadable version with the same image, but change the text to 'parking permit' instead of 'blue badge'.)

Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 4d

1/2 Previous feedback about this idea made it clear it needs to be OK to receive if you have a hidden disability - as well as clear enough for non-disabled ppl to maybe think twice next time. So here's the current draft. What do ppl think? It will be printed as an A6, single sided, coloured flyer.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 5d

I am SO pleased for you!! i hope it makes a big difference for you.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 5d

Really hope things work out for you 🤗

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 5d

I know I keep saying this, but I can't believe how much more accessible printed cross stitch is for me than counted! #BriainFog #Fatigue Here's how my alpaca is coming along.

Printed cross stitch, approx 47cm tall, of an alpaca head, wearing woolen pompoms and other brightly coloured accessories. the top 75% is mostly complete.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 6d

3/3 And some more... #PoTS #AutonomicDysfunction #Dysautonomia from www.stickmancommunications.co.uk/autonomic-dy...

No for a reason card with plain border and a stickman with hand held weighing scales, that have 'benefits' one side (with a small green bag in) and a much heavier big purple sack in the 'cost' side, also labelled increased symptoms, worsened health, inability to do other tasks. Text: When I say no, it’s because I’ve considered the options and consequences. Please respect my decision. If you don’t understand it, there may be factors you aren’t fully aware of.

card with rainbow striped border, and a seated stickman with a clenched hand and swirly eyes. Text "I have a seizure disorder. Don't panic, Seizures are a part of my life. Please see the back of this card for what to do if I have a seizure.

"To do or not to do? Pacing and activity decision chart." A flowchart with 4 boxes and appropriate arrows between them, ending with either "Let's do this" or "Best not. It may be okay to do this in emergencies or special occasions, but not for routine tasks." Box 1: "Given current symptoms, will I be able to complete the task. Box 2: Will it cause a significant increase in pain/fatigue/other symptoms?** Box 3: Do I have enough recharge time between it and when I next need to function?" Box 4: Can I make it more manageable by - splitting the task into smaller sections? - Using an adpatation or aid to make it easier? - Asking for help with challenging parts of the activity? - Having an exit strategy if it turns out to be too much?". Footnotes: A simplified version. This process varies between individuals. ** Activity often aggravates symptoms. It's not about avoiding symptoms, but trying to keep them manageable. Trial and error is required to find this level, and it can change over time.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 6d

2/3 And some more... #PoTS #AutonomicDysfunction #Dysautonomia from www.stickmancommunications.co.uk/autonomic-dy...

Heat intolerance card with plain border and a stickman keeled over in the sun, and another happy and upright with 3 snowflakes. "Severe heat intolerance. When too warm I may have difficulty speaking, become sleepy, confused, or panicky, or lose consciousness - even in temperatures most people find comfortable. If needed, please help me to cool down. See the back of this card for things that will help. Normal service will resume once I cool down.

Card with striped border and a stickman with fog for thoughts, standing like a zombie. Text: "Warning: Severe brain fog. Currently in 'Zombie with head full of cotton wool mode. I may struggle to remember or understand what I'm told, or to make my self understood. If it isn't an emergency please try later."

difficulty speaking card with plain border and 2 stickmen having a chat, with text "I find speaking difficult. Please give me time to say what I want to say. I'll let you know if I need help with it."

Card with stickman chained to the sofa. Text: I have a condition which causes fatigue - debilitating exhaustion that can affect mobility, strength, memory, concentration, speech, digestion and more. Symptom levels vary a lot. Recovering from doing too much can take days or weeks. I may look fine even when I'm not. I may need to do things differently. Living with this is my normal.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 6d

1/3 As it is #AutonomicDysfunction awareness month, here are some of our cards that explain some of the practical realities of living with #AutonomicDysfunction, including #PoTS:

Card with purple border, that says "I have autonomic dysfunction. My autonomic system is faulty, affecting: breathing, heart rate (HR) blood pressure (BP), digestion, temperature control, sweating, “fight or flight”, bladder, bowel, and more.
This can cause many symptoms including abnormal BP/HR, dizziness, fainting, tremors, fatigue, pain, brain fog, and breathing and digestive problems.
Symptoms are variable and may be made worse by anything affecting this system, including: eating, standing, sitting up, reaching up or bending, temperature changes, bright lights, loud noises, and stress.
There is no known cure for my type of autonomic dysfunction, it is my normal."

Card with striped border and dizzy stickman sat on the floor. "I have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). My autonomic nervous system is faulty so my blood flow and heart rate don't adjust well to postural changes or heat. It can cause brain fog, fatigue, weakness, and affect vision and digestion too. I may faint or become semiconscious. I can't stand for long, I fidget. It is not life threatening by may mean I suddenly need to sit or lie down. (see the back of this card for more info on my symptoms and management)

Card with stickman with ball and chains to ankles and wrists, stuck on a sofa looking exhausted. test "My fatigue is currently severe. I must rest to manage my symptoms. Fatigue is affecting my ability to think, speak, eat, and control my muscles, I cannot concentrate, make decisions, or move about safely. Even sitting may worsen symptoms." Copyright Stickman Communications 2025.

Lying down card with striped border, reading: Sometimes I lie down to manage a medical condition. Don't worry. It may be unconventional but means I can manage symptoms and do things I otherwise wouldn't be able to. It is my normal."

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 7d

The problem with having a VW caddy with seats in is that I never know whether it’s a car or a van. Today I got muddled and called it a ’Can’. kinda accidentally appropriate for an accessible vehicle.

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 7d

Today I'm driving further than usual, so to manage my #PoTS I'll stop at service stations to lie down and recharge/manage symptoms. I put a red beanbag and blanket on the front passenger seat. These mean I can go from sat in the drivers seat to lying down with minimal effort - and nap! #Dysautonomia

Surviving car travel: plan regular stops for wiggle or nap breaks, and list the possible additional stops for if you get delayed. #Pacing #DisabilityHack Stickman Communications

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Stickman Communications @stickmancomms.bsky.social · 8d

Of course you can choose whatever 'sections' work for you.
From: www.stickmancommunications.co.uk/browse-by-pr...

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