More than a year ago I started writing about Universal Design in communities and in housing. When I started writing, it was all theoretical. Now it’s real.
Author Archives: Heather Morgan
A Gospel of Grace
For Pride this year I offer a bit of my story of going from conservative evangelical to becoming an affirming and celebrating Christian as I came to understand my own Queer identity and that of my family members. I don’t often post specifically Christian blogposts here (though I’m thinking that might change a bit in the next few months) but I thought this one might be helpful for some to hear.
Returning to School?
Like canaries in mines of old, meeting our needs as disabled and neurodivergent individuals in turn ensures that everyone else is safe and has their needs met. As we consider reopening schools, the concerns I have about my disabled, autistic daughter’s needs being met at school are not only for her benefit, but also for the benefit of all of her abled and disabled, neurotypical and neurodivergent classmates as well as the staff at her school. So here are a few questions I think we need to answer collectively before we go back to school.
Unmasking
There is a concept within the Autistic Community called ‘masking’, but it applies to many people across many different diversity axes. That’s because masking is basically the work we do to try to blend in with those around us – to try to pretend that we are someone that we are not – less autistic, less queer, less disabled, less ADHD … less us. In particular, these ideas are often introduced or reinforced with behavioural methods such as ABA/IBI or conversion therapy.
On Waiting
So many things have been put on hold recently, haven’t they? Birthday parties, potlucks, gatherings of any sort have joined ranks with graduation celebrations, sports and even shopping.
It’s not something to celebrate, really, but I’ve been ‘waiting’ for a long time now, and I think the following 5 things about waiting are pretty universally true…
Hope
Hope is a tricky thing. Sometimes it feels like hope will just lead to disappointment – like not only is there ‘no point’ but there is almost an ‘anti-point’ – like it will be net negative to hope for something. When I first got sick people really wanted me to ‘hope’ that I would getContinue reading “Hope”
Homeschool Coaching Intro: Transcript of Facebook Livestream
For those who missed today’s Livestream, or want to go back and check on something I said, here’s the transcript!
Natural Light
The front of the house is beginning to take shape! This includes a LOT of natural light in the front bedrooms – especially when you remember that these are south facing! And that was no mistake. One of our guiding design constraints was to maximize the amount of natural light and ventilation we brought intoContinue reading “Natural Light”
Tools for Life in Physical Isolation
After three years of living mostly in physical isolation, I’ve learned a fair amount about this way of doing life. As such I figured I’d put out some resources over the coming days to share some of what I’ve learned. Tool #1 – Rhythm, Ritual and Rest *Create rhythms to your day, marked by whenContinue reading “Tools for Life in Physical Isolation”
Emotional Regulation in Hard Times
Some suggestions for emotional self regulation during hard times: Create intentional PLANS and SCHEDULES to help organise your day and increase your sense of AGENCY and CONTROL. Don’t be afraid to Make these plans VISUAL in a notebook or on a board. Use MOVEMENT and CREATIVITY to allow your body to process stress as itContinue reading “Emotional Regulation in Hard Times”
