Agree with the others that this one is standing out quite well. Excellent work, Makorie.

This is the best way to put into words the frustration that I have with these kinds of comments, etc. Your takes and ways with words on these things can be so cathartic to my still relatively newly struggling with disability self.

The conflicting urge to be understood/not alone vs. the desire for no one to ever have to go through what you have because you know what it's like and wish it upon no one else.
Something I personally struggle with.

your actions matter, your morale matters, your beliefs matter, your words matter, your love matters. You and people like you, again, make my life worth living, I cannot exaggerate. Thank you for everything you've done so far.

I know this because I am one of them. And if there is one of me, there are more. Maybe not as sappy or vocal about things as me, but they exist, and you help them more than you can understand. So don't give up entirely. Take a break if you need, focus on what you must, but do not forget that

You are quite literally the fuel for my life, a fellow person of this country fighting for what's right. So when I read that "in the end I don't think it ever mattered," from you, it breaks my heart, and I feel the need to let you know that there are people whose lives you change through this.

mostly alone, forgotten by the majority of people that were in my life before. But to know there are people fighting for people like me, people like you, and quite literally everyone in the country--It inspires me quite literally to my core, to keep fighting, in my case to even bother living.

like me, who can barely manage to get around my own house, who cannot fight as much for themselves. When protesting started, there was a post highlighting those fighting for the disabled specifically, and it brought me to tears. I lay in bed, surrounded by the same 4 walls most of the day, and am

And of course it is always worth remembering that healing is part of a battle. Breaks and self care are valid, just don't quit fully. I saw in your other post that you've gone to rallies and done other active, direct efforts, and I wish I could find the words to convey how inspiring it is to someone

It all sounds very cheesy, but the person who simply helps their friend move their couch, is there when they're down, brings them a surprised home cooked meal they rarely get to have, can make their day as is. Make one person's day, and it will spread. Courage is also contagious, to quote Harris.

Sharing wisdom, resources, knowledge, and even simply morale will still have an impact. Loving your neighbors (anyone close to you, physically or not), having fun with them, helping them in happier ways, bolstering rapport in general in your life matters, because love is a force to be reckoned with.

"Fighting" is not necessarily immediate, direct action on your part. Naturally, protesting and the like is something that will be seen as more impactful, but there is still value in those behind the scenes. I am most often stuck in bed, but I try to motivate others, as I am now.

This is a rant in response to my family's idea of what would soothe me on my recent venting on the topic of... my entire life and future/present well-being. It is from a place of ignorance, not malice, but it still makes me grit my teeth in frustration.

This got me to chortle way too good.

Do it for Lucy, Noodle.