Dr Ruth Smith
@dr-ruthsmith.bsky.social
Relational feminist psychotherapist • PhD • interested in politics and psychotherapy • passionate about ending domestic abuse against cis and trans women • #ME and #FND • Reproductive and Disability rights are human rights • she/her • Ⓥ •
July is #DisabilityPride Month. The social model of #Disability holds that disability doesn’t reside in the body, but is shaped by the world’s refusal to include us.
Practical provisions, compassion and justice are not extras, they are entry points to belonging.
#InvisibleDisabilities #MECFS #FND
Practical provisions, compassion and justice are not extras, they are entry points to belonging.
#InvisibleDisabilities #MECFS #FND
July 8, 2025 at 5:54 AM
July is #DisabilityPride Month. The social model of #Disability holds that disability doesn’t reside in the body, but is shaped by the world’s refusal to include us.
Practical provisions, compassion and justice are not extras, they are entry points to belonging.
#InvisibleDisabilities #MECFS #FND
Practical provisions, compassion and justice are not extras, they are entry points to belonging.
#InvisibleDisabilities #MECFS #FND
July is Disability Pride Month. It’s a time to celebrate identity, community, and resistance. Amid ongoing welfare reforms that too often devalue disabled lives, our visibility is not just important, it’s necessary.
#DisabilityPride #Disability #StopTheCuts #MECFS #FND #LongCovid #welfarenotware
#DisabilityPride #Disability #StopTheCuts #MECFS #FND #LongCovid #welfarenotware
July 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
July is Disability Pride Month. It’s a time to celebrate identity, community, and resistance. Amid ongoing welfare reforms that too often devalue disabled lives, our visibility is not just important, it’s necessary.
#DisabilityPride #Disability #StopTheCuts #MECFS #FND #LongCovid #welfarenotware
#DisabilityPride #Disability #StopTheCuts #MECFS #FND #LongCovid #welfarenotware
The Government (first Tories, now Labour) delays a vital report in #MECFS yet again—calling it a “distraction” from its 10-year NHS plan. But without addressing chronic illness, what are we really planning for?
#ChronicIllness #Disability #InvisibleIllness #DisabilityJustice
archive.ph/X4m2m
#ChronicIllness #Disability #InvisibleIllness #DisabilityJustice
archive.ph/X4m2m
June 30, 2025 at 5:17 AM
The Government (first Tories, now Labour) delays a vital report in #MECFS yet again—calling it a “distraction” from its 10-year NHS plan. But without addressing chronic illness, what are we really planning for?
#ChronicIllness #Disability #InvisibleIllness #DisabilityJustice
archive.ph/X4m2m
#ChronicIllness #Disability #InvisibleIllness #DisabilityJustice
archive.ph/X4m2m
Clip from 1989 and 36 yrs later we’re still experiencing the same relief when a doctor believes us and given the same advice. It shows we’re still fighting the same battles, with the same results and doing so while being very unwell.
#MECFS #FND #disability #chronicillness #longcovid
#MECFS #FND #disability #chronicillness #longcovid
June 27, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Clip from 1989 and 36 yrs later we’re still experiencing the same relief when a doctor believes us and given the same advice. It shows we’re still fighting the same battles, with the same results and doing so while being very unwell.
#MECFS #FND #disability #chronicillness #longcovid
#MECFS #FND #disability #chronicillness #longcovid
#chronicillness and guilt are constant companions. Especially when we have to say “no”: to family, friends, work & ourselves. Remember: no is a full sentence. No need to explain or apologise. Your life isn’t an apology.
#disability #chronicillness #neis #MECFS #FND
#disability #chronicillness #neis #MECFS #FND
June 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
#chronicillness and guilt are constant companions. Especially when we have to say “no”: to family, friends, work & ourselves. Remember: no is a full sentence. No need to explain or apologise. Your life isn’t an apology.
#disability #chronicillness #neis #MECFS #FND
#disability #chronicillness #neis #MECFS #FND
This is incredible and a breakthrough the #MECFS community have been waiting for. I just hope this will begin to de-stigmatise the condition and the erroneous perception it’s psychological.
#ME #longcovid #neis #chronicillness #disability
Unlocked link to The Times article: archive.ph/19dzr
#ME #longcovid #neis #chronicillness #disability
Unlocked link to The Times article: archive.ph/19dzr
June 20, 2025 at 6:40 AM
This is incredible and a breakthrough the #MECFS community have been waiting for. I just hope this will begin to de-stigmatise the condition and the erroneous perception it’s psychological.
#ME #longcovid #neis #chronicillness #disability
Unlocked link to The Times article: archive.ph/19dzr
#ME #longcovid #neis #chronicillness #disability
Unlocked link to The Times article: archive.ph/19dzr
This was my favourite episode to record as the Cassandra myth resonates deeply with me.
I have two chronic illnesses and as a psychotherapist, I specialise in working with female survivors of abuse and women with chronic illnesses. A myth where a woman who speaks the truth is ignored is familiar…
I have two chronic illnesses and as a psychotherapist, I specialise in working with female survivors of abuse and women with chronic illnesses. A myth where a woman who speaks the truth is ignored is familiar…
May 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
This was my favourite episode to record as the Cassandra myth resonates deeply with me.
I have two chronic illnesses and as a psychotherapist, I specialise in working with female survivors of abuse and women with chronic illnesses. A myth where a woman who speaks the truth is ignored is familiar…
I have two chronic illnesses and as a psychotherapist, I specialise in working with female survivors of abuse and women with chronic illnesses. A myth where a woman who speaks the truth is ignored is familiar…
Feminists have long challenged society's rigid definition of womanhood—across bodily autonomy, education, work, law, health, and self-expression.
This decision by the Supreme Court threatens that progress for all women. Just look at what’s happening in America.
#transrightsarehumanrights
This decision by the Supreme Court threatens that progress for all women. Just look at what’s happening in America.
#transrightsarehumanrights
April 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Feminists have long challenged society's rigid definition of womanhood—across bodily autonomy, education, work, law, health, and self-expression.
This decision by the Supreme Court threatens that progress for all women. Just look at what’s happening in America.
#transrightsarehumanrights
This decision by the Supreme Court threatens that progress for all women. Just look at what’s happening in America.
#transrightsarehumanrights
In a society and political climate that measures worth by productivity, being #disabled or having a #chronicillness can mean that sometimes you feel less than. I’m here to remind you that isn’t true: you are more than what you can do and what you can’t do 💜
#disability #MECFS #longcovid #neis
#disability #MECFS #longcovid #neis
April 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
In a society and political climate that measures worth by productivity, being #disabled or having a #chronicillness can mean that sometimes you feel less than. I’m here to remind you that isn’t true: you are more than what you can do and what you can’t do 💜
#disability #MECFS #longcovid #neis
#disability #MECFS #longcovid #neis
As a disabled person, I’m deeply concerned with the rhetoric around the proposed benefit cuts which reinforces the notion that disabled people are too lazy to work, playing the system or aren’t trying hard enough to “get better”. I expect this of the Tories, not #Labour.
#disbility #spoonie #neis
#disbility #spoonie #neis
March 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
As a disabled person, I’m deeply concerned with the rhetoric around the proposed benefit cuts which reinforces the notion that disabled people are too lazy to work, playing the system or aren’t trying hard enough to “get better”. I expect this of the Tories, not #Labour.
#disbility #spoonie #neis
#disbility #spoonie #neis
On #IWD2025 l stand in solidarity with cis and trans women around the world whose rights are under threat.
Our rights are non-negotiable, and our voices will not be silenced. Together, we can create a world where we can be heard and be safe.
#InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction
Our rights are non-negotiable, and our voices will not be silenced. Together, we can create a world where we can be heard and be safe.
#InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction
March 8, 2025 at 6:07 AM
On #IWD2025 l stand in solidarity with cis and trans women around the world whose rights are under threat.
Our rights are non-negotiable, and our voices will not be silenced. Together, we can create a world where we can be heard and be safe.
#InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction
Our rights are non-negotiable, and our voices will not be silenced. Together, we can create a world where we can be heard and be safe.
#InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction
This quote has been on my mind a lot lately.
I’m sick of people/media/politicians downplaying the far right rhetoric of Trump, Musk, Farage et al. They’re showing us exactly who they are and have for a long time.
To downplay their behaviour is to accept on some level this is normal. It isn’t.
I’m sick of people/media/politicians downplaying the far right rhetoric of Trump, Musk, Farage et al. They’re showing us exactly who they are and have for a long time.
To downplay their behaviour is to accept on some level this is normal. It isn’t.
February 23, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This quote has been on my mind a lot lately.
I’m sick of people/media/politicians downplaying the far right rhetoric of Trump, Musk, Farage et al. They’re showing us exactly who they are and have for a long time.
To downplay their behaviour is to accept on some level this is normal. It isn’t.
I’m sick of people/media/politicians downplaying the far right rhetoric of Trump, Musk, Farage et al. They’re showing us exactly who they are and have for a long time.
To downplay their behaviour is to accept on some level this is normal. It isn’t.
After yesterday’s inauguration, today feels very bleak. Musk’s Nazi salute has shaken me to my core and I know I’m not alone. Things feel frightening.
Those of us who are horrified need to find solidarity and comfort in one another to overcome what lies ahead. We can’t afford to ignore it.
Those of us who are horrified need to find solidarity and comfort in one another to overcome what lies ahead. We can’t afford to ignore it.
January 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
After yesterday’s inauguration, today feels very bleak. Musk’s Nazi salute has shaken me to my core and I know I’m not alone. Things feel frightening.
Those of us who are horrified need to find solidarity and comfort in one another to overcome what lies ahead. We can’t afford to ignore it.
Those of us who are horrified need to find solidarity and comfort in one another to overcome what lies ahead. We can’t afford to ignore it.
In recognition of UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism: #NoExcuse, UNiTE to End Violence against Women, Vogue Germany have put Gisèle Pelicot on the cover.
• Believe women.
• End violence against women and girls.
• Fund support services.
• Train criminal justice system in PTSD/trauma.
• #NoExcuse
• Believe women.
• End violence against women and girls.
• Fund support services.
• Train criminal justice system in PTSD/trauma.
• #NoExcuse
November 26, 2024 at 8:09 AM
The current political climate and US election has left many women and minorities fearful of the future.
Much is spoken about self-care, but lesser known is collective care where we look after one another in order to fight against injustice.
Let’s make @bsky.app a place of collective care.
Much is spoken about self-care, but lesser known is collective care where we look after one another in order to fight against injustice.
Let’s make @bsky.app a place of collective care.
November 19, 2024 at 6:59 AM
The current political climate and US election has left many women and minorities fearful of the future.
Much is spoken about self-care, but lesser known is collective care where we look after one another in order to fight against injustice.
Let’s make @bsky.app a place of collective care.
Much is spoken about self-care, but lesser known is collective care where we look after one another in order to fight against injustice.
Let’s make @bsky.app a place of collective care.
The world now feels a little more chaotic and a lot more scarier, so remember:
🕊️ The importance of cultivating pockets of peace in order to sustain yourself for whatever lies ahead
🕊️Accept you are one person and cannot fight alone.
🕊️ Nurture self-compassion in order to give compassion to others
🕊️ The importance of cultivating pockets of peace in order to sustain yourself for whatever lies ahead
🕊️Accept you are one person and cannot fight alone.
🕊️ Nurture self-compassion in order to give compassion to others
November 11, 2024 at 3:13 PM
The world now feels a little more chaotic and a lot more scarier, so remember:
🕊️ The importance of cultivating pockets of peace in order to sustain yourself for whatever lies ahead
🕊️Accept you are one person and cannot fight alone.
🕊️ Nurture self-compassion in order to give compassion to others
🕊️ The importance of cultivating pockets of peace in order to sustain yourself for whatever lies ahead
🕊️Accept you are one person and cannot fight alone.
🕊️ Nurture self-compassion in order to give compassion to others
#chronicillness is a feminist issue. It affects more women, consequently:
1. Research is woefully underfunded
2. Women’s voices are dismissed
3. Medical knowledge is patriarchal
4. Gaslighting us
5. Women aren’t trusted to be experts of their own body
6. The legacy of “hysteria” haunts ill women
1. Research is woefully underfunded
2. Women’s voices are dismissed
3. Medical knowledge is patriarchal
4. Gaslighting us
5. Women aren’t trusted to be experts of their own body
6. The legacy of “hysteria” haunts ill women
November 8, 2024 at 8:44 AM
#chronicillness is a feminist issue. It affects more women, consequently:
1. Research is woefully underfunded
2. Women’s voices are dismissed
3. Medical knowledge is patriarchal
4. Gaslighting us
5. Women aren’t trusted to be experts of their own body
6. The legacy of “hysteria” haunts ill women
1. Research is woefully underfunded
2. Women’s voices are dismissed
3. Medical knowledge is patriarchal
4. Gaslighting us
5. Women aren’t trusted to be experts of their own body
6. The legacy of “hysteria” haunts ill women
I’m disgusted that Trump may actually win. Mostly, I am fearful.
Solidarity and support for the US citizens who who do not feel safe in their own country and those who will be harmed by his presidency.
• Black Lives Matter
• Reproductive rights are human rights
• Trans lives matter
Solidarity and support for the US citizens who who do not feel safe in their own country and those who will be harmed by his presidency.
• Black Lives Matter
• Reproductive rights are human rights
• Trans lives matter
November 6, 2024 at 7:18 AM
I’m disgusted that Trump may actually win. Mostly, I am fearful.
Solidarity and support for the US citizens who who do not feel safe in their own country and those who will be harmed by his presidency.
• Black Lives Matter
• Reproductive rights are human rights
• Trans lives matter
Solidarity and support for the US citizens who who do not feel safe in their own country and those who will be harmed by his presidency.
• Black Lives Matter
• Reproductive rights are human rights
• Trans lives matter
It’s the time of year to wear my white peace poppy from the Peace Pledge Union. The white poppy represents the remembrance of all victims of past and present wars (including civilians), seeks to end militarism and advocates peace.
#Rememberancesunday #armisticeday
🔗 www.ppu.org.uk
#Rememberancesunday #armisticeday
🔗 www.ppu.org.uk
November 5, 2024 at 7:18 AM
It’s the time of year to wear my white peace poppy from the Peace Pledge Union. The white poppy represents the remembrance of all victims of past and present wars (including civilians), seeks to end militarism and advocates peace.
#Rememberancesunday #armisticeday
🔗 www.ppu.org.uk
#Rememberancesunday #armisticeday
🔗 www.ppu.org.uk
Weekends are often expected to be filled with activities. But for those of us with chronic illnesses, they’re more likely to be a time of quiet rest.
This poem reminds us that:
“a rest is not defeat,
don’t think of it as failure,
just a kind, quiet retreat”
Remember: It’s okay to rest 💜
This poem reminds us that:
“a rest is not defeat,
don’t think of it as failure,
just a kind, quiet retreat”
Remember: It’s okay to rest 💜
October 26, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Weekends are often expected to be filled with activities. But for those of us with chronic illnesses, they’re more likely to be a time of quiet rest.
This poem reminds us that:
“a rest is not defeat,
don’t think of it as failure,
just a kind, quiet retreat”
Remember: It’s okay to rest 💜
This poem reminds us that:
“a rest is not defeat,
don’t think of it as failure,
just a kind, quiet retreat”
Remember: It’s okay to rest 💜