Vikky Leaney
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vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Vikky Leaney
@vikkyleaney.bsky.social
44 followers 55 following 60 posts
Academic, writer and activist. Bridging science and self-care for neurodivergent women managing chronic illness.
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vikkyleaney.bsky.social
I've just started experimenting with the Oura Ring to see if it can help me with pacing.

This first article introduces why I’m trying it out and what I hope to gain. I’ll share more soon.

#OuraRing #Pacing #ChronicIllness #Neurodivergent #EnergyManagement #SelfCare #ChronicFatigue #ADHD #Autism
The Oura Ring: A Tiny Tech Companion
Part jewellery, part data scientist — but for many women who are neurodivergent or living with chronic illness, it’s quietly revolutionary.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
I can get on board with this 👌

#Wellbeing #selfcare #happiness #hobbies

www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a6...
Scientists say that "Grandma Hobbies" could be a secret key to happiness
Time to pick up those knitting needles!
www.goodhousekeeping.com
April 1, 2025 at 9:11 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Late diagnosis life: apparently I’ve had hEDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) this whole time, not just fibromyalgia.

Throw in #dysautonomia & #MCAS and my body’s basically glitching like an old computer.

#hEDS #ChronicPain #Disability #Neurodivergent #SpoonieLife #EhlersDanlos #ChronicIllness
Well, That Escalated Quickly: My Unexpected Journey to an hEDS Diagnosis
I’m running a bit behind on this instalment of my ongoing series about life as a neurodivergent, chronically ill female—emphasis on “a bit behind.”
vikkyleaney.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 9:13 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Curious about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? It’s a set of genetic disorders that weakens the body’s connective tissues, affecting everything from joint mobility to skin elasticity. Check out our video for more insight.

#EhlersDanlos #Hypermobility #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Neurodivergent
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?
YouTube video by Vikky Leaney
youtube.com
March 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Neurodivergent women are incredibly resilient, even when we misplace our keys! Grit Happens!💪✨

vikkyleaney.substack.com/p/grit-happens

#Neurodi#Neurodiversitye#Resiliencer#Empowermenta#gritd#angeladuckworthn#adhdi#neurodivergent
March 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Today is #InternationalHappinessDay, and I’ve written a love letter to the messy, unconventional, glorious joy of life as a neurodivergent, chronically ill woman.

Spoiler: happiness doesn’t always look like a stock photo.

#Neurodivergent #ChronicIllness #ADHD #Neurodiversity #ChronicPain #Autism
International Day of Happiness: Confessions from the Diary of a Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill…
Diary of a Chronically Ill Neurodivergent Female: Week Eleven
medium.com
March 20, 2025 at 11:07 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
5 books that can make us feel hopeful. Let's face it, we could all do with a bit of hope right now.

#books #hope #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Five books to make you feel hopeful about the world, according to Rachel Joyce
If you are in the market for a life-affirming read, look no further
inews.co.uk
March 19, 2025 at 9:08 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Read my article on empowering Neurodivergent Women to Self-Advocate.

#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek #NDW
Empowering Neurodivergent Women to Self-Advocate
Women who are neurodivergent and/or live with chronic illnesses often face unique challenges in a society that does not always value or accommodate their needs.
open.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Vikky Leaney
theguardian.com
Starmer urged to introduce wealth tax instead of cutting disability benefits – UK politics live
Starmer urged to introduce wealth tax instead of cutting disability benefits – UK politics live
Diane Abbott says a wealth tax of 2% on people with assets over £10m would raise £24bn a year Peter Walker has more from Diane Abbott’s interview on the Today programme this morning. Good morning. “You want me to cut £1bn. Shall I take £100 each off 10…
www.theguardian.com
March 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Vikky Leaney
uk.theconversation.com
The celebrity chef’s story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bipolar disorder.
Why are suicide rates so high in bipolar disorder, and what can we do about it?
The celebrity chef’s story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bipolar disorder.
tcnv.link
March 15, 2025 at 7:12 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Living with chronic illness while parenting a neurodivergent child is overwhelming, all consuming and identity shattering.

#chronicillness #neurodivergent #parenting #autism #adhd #chronicpain
Who am I? Losing Myself to Chronic Illness
Grappling with a long list of diagnoses and a neurodivergent child.
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Vaccinate your children! There are parents around the world who would do ANYTHING to even have the option to vaccinate their children. Measles kills.

#measles #vaccination #parenting
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · Mar 12
A measles outbreak continues to spread in Texas. More than 200 people have been infected, one child has died — and experts fear that low vaccination rates will make the illness harder to contain.

Listen to "The Daily."
Inside the Measles Outbreak in Texas
More than 200 people have been infected, one child has died — and experts fear that low vaccination rates will make the illness harder to contain.
www.nytimes.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Do you get lost in your own thoughts? Always leaving early to only be late again? Time Blindness explained.

#adhd #timeblindness #neurodivergent
Time? What Time?
Time Blindness as a Neurodivergent Woman.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Vikky Leaney
achronicvoice.com
“Before jumping into a new chapter, review your #values. Make sure your #decisions reflect what’s most important to you, or you may find yourself #unhappy even in the midst of success”: buff.ly/4gL86IB

#SelfIdentity #success
By MargarethaMontagu
Navigating New Beginnings: 10 Pitfalls to Avoid When Starting a New Chapter in Life - Dr Margaretha Montagu
Thinking of starting a new chapter in life? Maybe you feel like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, and you are hesitating to leap into the void. What if something goes wrong? That’s what…
buff.ly
March 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
As a neurodivergent woman with chronic pain, I often find clothes uncomfortable. This amazing woman with ADHD adapts clothing for neurodivergent shoppers.

#neurodivergent #adhd #clothing
Hillingdon woman adapts clothes to help neurodivergent shoppers
Amelie Rule, 21, says her own shopping experience inspired her clothing business.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Vikky Leaney
politicshome.bsky.social
Starmer must choose between Europe & the US, writes Labour MP @labourlewis.bsky.social

Failing to do so is "dangerously misguided"

Europe is a "distinctly more compatible" partner, whereas the US right now is "ugly, authoritarian, proto-fascism"

"A bridge between continents is no longer viable"
Starmer Must Choose Between The US And Europe
Europe is a far more compatible partner for the UK than an authoritarian US. Failing to realise this could have catastrophic consequences for our c...
www.politicshome.com
March 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Chronic pain isn’t just discomfort—it’s exhaustion, unpredictability, and a daily battle to function. In my latest piece, I share my experience of living with fibromyalgia and the coping strategies that help me keep going.

#ChronicPain #Fibromyalgia #women #chronicillness #neurodivergent
Life in Pain: Fibromyalgia and Me
Living with Chronic Pain.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
My 9-year-old autistic daughter found an anonymous letter mocking her love of animals—her special interest. Subtle bullying is real, and autistic kids are especially vulnerable. Here's how I'm handling it & how we can support neurodivergent children.

#Autism #Bullying #discrimination
Silent Taunts and Anonymous Notes
Protecting Your Autistic Child from Subtle Bullying.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
How comparing ourselves to the wrong people can make us feel a whole lot worse.

#neurodivergent #chronicillness #socialcomparison
The Comparison Trap
Why We Measure Ourselves Against the Wrong People
medium.com
February 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Parenting a neurodivergent child while also being neurodivergent yourself is hard work.

#neurodivergent #parenting #autism #adhd
Co-regulating with my Neurodivergent Daughter
Shared Spaces, Different Needs: Supporting Each Other’s Sensory Challenges
vikkyleaney.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 12:34 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Like he'd concede an inch!! This can only be likened to blaming a rape victim for wearing revealing clothing.

#ukraine #trump #russia
Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia, saying it could have made a deal
President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
How hormones make ADHD so much worse. Puberty, pregrancy, perimenopause and PMDD. Women have a raw deal.

#adhd #hormones #Women #pmdd #mentalhealth
Hormones and ADHD in Women
Understanding the Hormone Sensitivity Theory and PMDD.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
February 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
I open up about being a secret eater and how it differs from comfort eating. Binge eating disorder is common in women with ADHD.

#bingeeating #adhd #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth
Confessions of a Secret Eater
Understanding Binge Eating Disorder and ADHD.
vikkyleaney.substack.com
February 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Alesha Dixon cites authenticity, self-acceptance and exercise as her most powerful values. Yep, I'm with you! Just need to work on the last one a bit more 🏋️

#authenticity #selfacceptance #wellbeing #mentalhealth #aleshadixon #womenshealth
Alesha Dixon’s 3 powerful values for raising confident, strong daughters
'Everyone is unique and has something to offer. That’s the dialogue my mum gave to me. So that’s what I’ll be saying to my girls'
www.womenshealthmag.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
vikkyleaney.bsky.social
Gossip is one of the ways we bond with others and spread information. It is the intention of the 'gossip' that makes the difference. Gossip doesn't have to be malicious.

#gossip #socialinteraction #socialrelationships #wellbeing
‘It’s how we make sense of the world’: why are we all obsessed with gossip?
In her new book, Normal Gossip podcaster Kelsey McKinney explores our unending interest in talking about other people behind their backs
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM