STUBS-Disability LIFE

05/11/2026

FUNCTIONAL DEPRESSION (High- Functioning Depression)

WARNING SIGNS:

Feeling sad on the inside, while looking fine on the outside

Have negative or ruminating thoughts

Changes with sleep ,mood,appettite, digestive issues, chronic pain, avoid emotive situations or self isolation.

Hiding own person struggles, while getting up daily going to work, being productive and supporting others

Doing just enough to keep the wheels or mechanics of life turning

Overworking or hype focused on productivity

Increase reliance on alcohol, drugs to numb mood or pass the time

RECOMMENDED POSITIVE COPING STRATEGIES 'Men' ( woman can uses these too)

Establish regular routines for sleep and waking up - as depression symptoms can impact sleep patterns

Reduce or stop intake of alcohol or substances - as these deepen lower moods

Redefine or reframe the mental health conversation to a format that suits you - we dont have to talk about processing emotions, lets focus on problem solving ,mini tasks, goal orientated activities that make you feel more like yourself

Consider accessing structured therapies or confide in that trusted person who you feel safe to be vulnerable with - do whats required to break current routine and stop going through the motions

We want you to be happy not just exsist and keep functioning ( can you hear my washing machine in the background🤔, remember you are not an appliance your human and deserve more)

23/10/2026

SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

I am an individual living with Spina Bifida Occulta, one of the three types of Spina Bifida.

For many individuals this condition is diagnosed at birth, for me diagnosis was 9 years old and operation on spina age 10 years old.

Every day i learn something different regarding which of my symptoms or lived experiences is due to this specific diagnosis - but no two people are the same

Spina Bifida Awareness Week 19th - 25th October

Spina Bifida Awareness Month - OCTOBER

If you would like to know more about Spina Bifida, attend support groups or information sessions reach out to

Have you also unsubscribed from the warrior package ? Hows the Queen/King package treating you so far?

09/10/2026

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19d3kzWoFy/

Accessible Housing: Designing for Everyday Independence

Finding a home should not mean compromising on the ability to meet your basic needs.

Housing accessibility deserves to be evaluated through everyday function: Can a person enter their home, use the bathroom, prepare a meal, and move between rooms safely and with the level of independence they choose?

Zero-step entrances, roll-in showers, adequate doorway clearance, wheelchair turning space, reachable controls, and usable kitchen surfaces should be central considerations in housing design.

The essential question is, Does this home support the daily life of the person living in it?

A feature described as “accessible” may still be unusable for someone’s particular mobility device, reach, balance, or transfer needs. Meaningful design requires listening to people with disabilities and evaluating how spaces work in practice, not just theory.

As we advocate for better housing standards, lived experience must help shape the conversation.

Which housing feature is most critical to your daily independence—and what happens when it is missing?

Share a specific example below. Your experience can help identify the design priorities that matter most.

Accessible housing is a foundation for dignity, choice, inclusion, and community participation.

We won’t get into the astronomical price it cost to rent these days or the extra zeros attached to adaptation… Or will we?!?
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. Challenged Athletes Foundation. Mike Hudson. ROAR. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. United Spinal Association. United Spinal Association Advocacy Network. Paralyzed Veterans of America. Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Semper Fi & America's Fund. Jay Youngblood. Jeremy Kerr

07/10/2026

DID YOU KNOW :

That getting a common cold can increase or trigger a flare-up of other symptoms for someone living with an autoimmune condition.

Or that when a person with an autoimmune disease catches a virus, it affects their entire system?

Individuals coughing near a person with autoimmune condition increases there risk of catching a cold ,developing respiratory conditions, contracting illnesses like influenza or COVID-19

RECOMMENDATION :
(Its not rudeness its protection)

Move away from the coughing individual as quickly as possible, ideally keeping a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) or wear a mask.

Eat or drink nutriments that boost your immune system, as preventative measures better than cures

15/09/2026

SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH

ADVICE & INFORMATION STUBS DISABILITY SERVICE CIC

A sickle cell crisis is a sudden, severe episode of pain that happens when stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells clump together and block small blood vessels.

What Triggers a Crisis : Dehydration, infections, stress, extreme or sudden changes in temperatures, or strenuous activity; however for every individual triggers can vary

Common Locations crisis can incluse pains chest, back, stomach, arms, and legs etc.

HOW LONG DOES A CRISIS LAST ?
A typical pain crisis lasts from a few hours, several days, a week or several weeks. Recovery depends on the severity of the blockage and prompt treatment.

ADVICE: Start talking about crisis period, episode not just duration or height or crisis pain

This means talking about the lead up to it when you start to feel the symptoms and are trying to avoid highest pain levels or hospital admission. Inclusive of recovery when blood starts to circulate better but you are still experiencing pain and discomfort.

IF YOU APPLIED THIS ADVICE HOW WOULD A DESCRIPTION OF CRISIS CHANGE FOR YOU ? Tell us in the comments

10/09/2026

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

RECOMMENDED TIPS FOR COPING WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS:

💜Learn ways to manage and navigate difficult feelings (for me it was journaling and poetry)
💜Tell someone how you are feeling
💜Focus on getting through next 5 minutes, day or week
💜Distract yourself
💜Make yourself safe
💜Seek support for su***de thoughts nhs
💜Practice being kind to yourself.

***depreventionday

26/08/2026

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21/08/2026

DISABLED PERSONS COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME

Living in theUK you may be eligible for Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

If you are considered elgible this lowers your council tax bill by one property band if your home has extra space or special features for disability related needs.

This can include an extra bathroom, specific therapy room, or indoor wheelchair space

I applied for this approximately 5 years ago and wasnt successful. However tried again this year and was even elgible for back dated payment until when became ambulatory wheelchair user.

So this is your reminder that presentation symptoms of disability changes. As such so can your elgiblity for many services resources and schemes.
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people