Derek
@derekischmitz.link
Derek, 21, disabled, chronically ill, non-binary (they), and queer person.
Lead Advocate @ Derek Schmitz: Advocacy, accessibility consultant, author, and paralegal. Views mine, not a lawyer.
go.derekschmitz.com
Alabama, USA
Lead Advocate @ Derek Schmitz: Advocacy, accessibility consultant, author, and paralegal. Views mine, not a lawyer.
go.derekschmitz.com
Alabama, USA
Pinned
Derek
@derekischmitz.link
· May 28
Finally starting my move over here from the dreadful place with the help of my amazing partner @econenby.bsky.social! Will have a more in-depth pinned soon.
Reposted by Derek
Anarchism: Doesn't Sound So Silly Now, Does It? An introduction
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Anarchism: Doesn't Sound So Silly Now, Does It? An introduction
So true, baby.
"why is your ass so fat" For the winter
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 AM
So true, baby.
Reposted by Derek
"why is your ass so fat" For the winter
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 AM
"why is your ass so fat" For the winter
Some squares from my life as a UAB transfer in October 2025!
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Some squares from my life as a UAB transfer in October 2025!
Jeopardy clue today: John Green, Looking for [BLANK]
Me, confidently: WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Reader, the answer was Alaska.
Me, confidently: WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Reader, the answer was Alaska.
October 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Jeopardy clue today: John Green, Looking for [BLANK]
Me, confidently: WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Reader, the answer was Alaska.
Me, confidently: WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Reader, the answer was Alaska.
September's in the books (literally). Here are some snaps from my days on the UAB campus.
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October 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
September's in the books (literally). Here are some snaps from my days on the UAB campus.
Alt text embedded.
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Reposted by Derek
[lying blissfully in my partner’s arms]
Me: This is so perfect… Wait a second!
[pulls off her face to reveal American philosopher Robert Nozick]
Nozick: “Hahaha, I tricked you into being happy! It’s all a simulation!”
Me: This is so perfect… Wait a second!
[pulls off her face to reveal American philosopher Robert Nozick]
Nozick: “Hahaha, I tricked you into being happy! It’s all a simulation!”
August 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
[lying blissfully in my partner’s arms]
Me: This is so perfect… Wait a second!
[pulls off her face to reveal American philosopher Robert Nozick]
Nozick: “Hahaha, I tricked you into being happy! It’s all a simulation!”
Me: This is so perfect… Wait a second!
[pulls off her face to reveal American philosopher Robert Nozick]
Nozick: “Hahaha, I tricked you into being happy! It’s all a simulation!”
Forgive my horrific Canva skills, but here’s my Snapshot for August, capturing my first couple weeks as a UAB transfer! Hoping to do one of these each month I’m enrolled & taking classes, but we shall see if I stick to it.
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![A photo collage showcases 5 photos of Derek, a white nonbinary person with long brown hair and blue glasses, in various places on the UAB campus. The top is labeled "August 2025 [at symbol] UAB."
Top left corner: Derek wears a yellow shirt, a brace, and knee-high socks and smiles at the camera. A bed of flowers and a UAB granite feature are present in the background.
Top right corner: Derek wears a mask and a grey shirt with a Children’s of Alabama emblem and stands next to Blaze, UAB’s mascot.
Center: Derek wears a green shirt and eats a fudge pop outside with a smile. Their mask is down around their neck.
Bottom left corner: A messy desk captures the contents of Derek’s screen: the Canvas dashboard with the caption “Good morning, UAB” on the bottom.
Bottom right corner: Derek wears a pink polo shirt in a car.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3iy4dsr5mh4co4ogx5zk7n5l/bafkreidvu27xwglkybk2zhn27oxnpeqvvfmsaul5s2hkialawtwr2n4vsy@jpeg)
September 25, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Forgive my horrific Canva skills, but here’s my Snapshot for August, capturing my first couple weeks as a UAB transfer! Hoping to do one of these each month I’m enrolled & taking classes, but we shall see if I stick to it.
Alt text embedded.
Alt text embedded.
I'm ecstatic to announce that, later this month, I will be continuing my post-secondary journey by becoming a UAB Blazer pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sociology, with a minor in Legal Affairs.
Read more:
Read more:
I’m a Blazer!
For as long as I've been alive, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been my second home. I was born there, receive my braces from their partner organizations, attended hundreds of physical and occupational therapy appointments, and been treated by the best team of doctors anyone could ever ask for. And, now, I'm ecstatic to announce that, later this month, I will be continuing my post-secondary journey by becoming a UAB Blazer pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sociology, with a minor in Legal Affairs.
derekschmitz.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I'm ecstatic to announce that, later this month, I will be continuing my post-secondary journey by becoming a UAB Blazer pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sociology, with a minor in Legal Affairs.
Read more:
Read more:
In this piece, I reflect on my time in the Paralegal Program at Gadsden State Community College, where I graduated from in May.
Stay tuned for August 1, when I'll announce my next steps.
Stay tuned for August 1, when I'll announce my next steps.
Reflections on my Time at Gadsden State Community College
In this piece, I reflect on my time in the Paralegal Program at Gadsden State Community College, where I graduated from in May.
derekschmitz.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:44 PM
In this piece, I reflect on my time in the Paralegal Program at Gadsden State Community College, where I graduated from in May.
Stay tuned for August 1, when I'll announce my next steps.
Stay tuned for August 1, when I'll announce my next steps.
Reposted by Derek
There's a new Game Changer coming on Monday, July 14th, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
Make sure you watch it the second it launches - and if you can't watch it right away, avoid social media until you do...
Make sure you watch it the second it launches - and if you can't watch it right away, avoid social media until you do...
July 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
There's a new Game Changer coming on Monday, July 14th, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
Make sure you watch it the second it launches - and if you can't watch it right away, avoid social media until you do...
Make sure you watch it the second it launches - and if you can't watch it right away, avoid social media until you do...
Reposted by Derek
🚨TONIGHT!
🫨A very special episode of Game Changer launches on @dropout.tv at 7pm ET / 4pm PT (and we recommend you tune in immediately)
✨Starring host Sam Reich, and guests Mike Trapp, Rekha Shankar, and Jordan Myrick...and a few others 😉
#GameChanger
🫨A very special episode of Game Changer launches on @dropout.tv at 7pm ET / 4pm PT (and we recommend you tune in immediately)
✨Starring host Sam Reich, and guests Mike Trapp, Rekha Shankar, and Jordan Myrick...and a few others 😉
#GameChanger
July 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🚨TONIGHT!
🫨A very special episode of Game Changer launches on @dropout.tv at 7pm ET / 4pm PT (and we recommend you tune in immediately)
✨Starring host Sam Reich, and guests Mike Trapp, Rekha Shankar, and Jordan Myrick...and a few others 😉
#GameChanger
🫨A very special episode of Game Changer launches on @dropout.tv at 7pm ET / 4pm PT (and we recommend you tune in immediately)
✨Starring host Sam Reich, and guests Mike Trapp, Rekha Shankar, and Jordan Myrick...and a few others 😉
#GameChanger
Reposted by Derek
i cannot emphasize enough that there is no better time to mask up.
preventing illness before it happens is your best bet as the nets meant to catch you disintegrate before your eyes.
preventing illness before it happens is your best bet as the nets meant to catch you disintegrate before your eyes.
Spoke with someone who works with a public hospital system. His assessment of the effects of the GOP spending bill: “I think this is going to be a very apparent catastrophe, very quickly.”
July 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
i cannot emphasize enough that there is no better time to mask up.
preventing illness before it happens is your best bet as the nets meant to catch you disintegrate before your eyes.
preventing illness before it happens is your best bet as the nets meant to catch you disintegrate before your eyes.
Reposted by Derek
Y'all pick a lane. Then make a little progress in your lane each day.
Every serious, experienced organizer I know is Doing Their Thing. Instead of freaking out about each bit of bad news, we're in our lanes rapidly building dual power infrastructure and networks that don't rely on the goverment.
Every serious, experienced organizer I know is Doing Their Thing. Instead of freaking out about each bit of bad news, we're in our lanes rapidly building dual power infrastructure and networks that don't rely on the goverment.
February 4, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Y'all pick a lane. Then make a little progress in your lane each day.
Every serious, experienced organizer I know is Doing Their Thing. Instead of freaking out about each bit of bad news, we're in our lanes rapidly building dual power infrastructure and networks that don't rely on the goverment.
Every serious, experienced organizer I know is Doing Their Thing. Instead of freaking out about each bit of bad news, we're in our lanes rapidly building dual power infrastructure and networks that don't rely on the goverment.
Reposted by Derek
They believe that people who will die because of decisions they make are weak and deserve to
They want us dead basically. They want us dead and / or desperate. This doesn't make sense politically it makes sense if you follow like Curtis Yarvin and the goal is to collapse the government.
The reason why I don't quite get what the GOP is doing is that people receiving Medicaid are a very slightly GOP leaning (R +2 or so) group.
If one assumes lower participation amongst medicaid users, you're still probably looking at 5-7m of your own voters you're fucking.
If one assumes lower participation amongst medicaid users, you're still probably looking at 5-7m of your own voters you're fucking.
July 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
They believe that people who will die because of decisions they make are weak and deserve to
Reposted by Derek
"but the US wouldn't-"
I am, at this point, literally begging you to learn any history not taught to you by the state.
I am, at this point, literally begging you to learn any history not taught to you by the state.
July 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"but the US wouldn't-"
I am, at this point, literally begging you to learn any history not taught to you by the state.
I am, at this point, literally begging you to learn any history not taught to you by the state.
Reposted by Derek
With passage of the Big Bill, it is worth noting that this is the largest rollback in health coverage in history.
To date since WWII, and since the passsge of Medicare, Medicaid and ACA generally all legislation EXPANDED coverage, but this is the largest RETRACTION in health insurance coverage ever
To date since WWII, and since the passsge of Medicare, Medicaid and ACA generally all legislation EXPANDED coverage, but this is the largest RETRACTION in health insurance coverage ever
July 3, 2025 at 7:38 PM
With passage of the Big Bill, it is worth noting that this is the largest rollback in health coverage in history.
To date since WWII, and since the passsge of Medicare, Medicaid and ACA generally all legislation EXPANDED coverage, but this is the largest RETRACTION in health insurance coverage ever
To date since WWII, and since the passsge of Medicare, Medicaid and ACA generally all legislation EXPANDED coverage, but this is the largest RETRACTION in health insurance coverage ever
Reposted by Derek
The Big Death Bill has passed. The GOP willingly chose to kick millions off health insurance, close hundreds of hospitals, nursing homes, & reproductive health clinics, leave millions of families without enough food & kill thousands of people. This is the biggest assault on health in recent history.
July 3, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The Big Death Bill has passed. The GOP willingly chose to kick millions off health insurance, close hundreds of hospitals, nursing homes, & reproductive health clinics, leave millions of families without enough food & kill thousands of people. This is the biggest assault on health in recent history.
Reposted by Derek
I think the chief motivator of humanity is probably spite. Like someone goes "If you're so great then you do it", then they invent the telegraph or something. Sometimes you get so bored you just want to make the world a better place, & I respect that.
January 13, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I think the chief motivator of humanity is probably spite. Like someone goes "If you're so great then you do it", then they invent the telegraph or something. Sometimes you get so bored you just want to make the world a better place, & I respect that.
Reposted by Derek
8. Transgender people who wish to update their passports without urgent travel are advised to hold off until word is announced either by the government or organizations involved in the legal process, according to a source at the ACLU. You can find their FAQ here:
www.aclu.org/trumps-assau...
www.aclu.org/trumps-assau...
Q&A: Orr v. Trump | American Civil Liberties Union
www.aclu.org
July 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
8. Transgender people who wish to update their passports without urgent travel are advised to hold off until word is announced either by the government or organizations involved in the legal process, according to a source at the ACLU. You can find their FAQ here:
www.aclu.org/trumps-assau...
www.aclu.org/trumps-assau...
Reposted by Derek
My private medical history is between me, my doctors, and all of Bluesky.
June 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
My private medical history is between me, my doctors, and all of Bluesky.
Reposted by Derek
Breaking: The Trevor Project received a stop-work order last night on its contract with the national 988 suicide prevention hotline. The Trump administration is eliminating the option for LGBTQ callers to the hotline to press 3 and connect with someone who specializes in LGBTQ mental health.
June 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Breaking: The Trevor Project received a stop-work order last night on its contract with the national 988 suicide prevention hotline. The Trump administration is eliminating the option for LGBTQ callers to the hotline to press 3 and connect with someone who specializes in LGBTQ mental health.
Reposted by Derek
BREAKING: In a 6-3 Roberts decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Tennessee's ban on gender affirming care is not subject to heightened scrutiny. This decision will strip millions of trans people off their constitutional rights.
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
June 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
BREAKING: In a 6-3 Roberts decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Tennessee's ban on gender affirming care is not subject to heightened scrutiny. This decision will strip millions of trans people off their constitutional rights.
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Bumping this again, as tomorrow at midnight ET is the deadline.
Now's our time to push back against the weakening of Section 504. Comments to DOE are due on June 16.
Read more:
Read more:
Advocacy Alert: Comment by June 16 in Opposition of Department of Energy Accessibility Rule Changes
The Department of Energy currently has two "direct final rules" that will adversely affect disability rights. One of these rules removes regulations requiring new buildings to be accessible, and the other would remove accessibility requirements for older buildings and alterations to buildings. Further, the rules remove highly-specific language regarding accessibility requirements, called the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, from regulation. "Direct final rules" (DFRs) are typically used when rule changes are routine and noncontroversial.
derekschmitz.com
June 15, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Bumping this again, as tomorrow at midnight ET is the deadline.
Reposted by Derek
#Autistic #ActuallyAutistic folks!
I'm writing an article about apps and organization tools that help us.
I'm looking for success stories. Have an app you use and love for organization? Want to talk about it and share it with other autistic folks?
Hit me up! I need info by 6/18 end of day.
I'm writing an article about apps and organization tools that help us.
I'm looking for success stories. Have an app you use and love for organization? Want to talk about it and share it with other autistic folks?
Hit me up! I need info by 6/18 end of day.
June 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
#Autistic #ActuallyAutistic folks!
I'm writing an article about apps and organization tools that help us.
I'm looking for success stories. Have an app you use and love for organization? Want to talk about it and share it with other autistic folks?
Hit me up! I need info by 6/18 end of day.
I'm writing an article about apps and organization tools that help us.
I'm looking for success stories. Have an app you use and love for organization? Want to talk about it and share it with other autistic folks?
Hit me up! I need info by 6/18 end of day.