John Loeppky
@jloeppky.com
Disabled Freelance Journalist. Crippled & Creative. He/Him.
https://www.patreon.com/JLoeppky / https://www.jloeppky.com/crpl-media
https://www.patreon.com/JLoeppky / https://www.jloeppky.com/crpl-media
In a world where, as disabled folks we fight so damn hard, a group I'm a part of in the journalism industry had a huge win this week.
I'm going to savour this feeling for a while.
I'm going to savour this feeling for a while.
November 15, 2025 at 2:52 AM
In a world where, as disabled folks we fight so damn hard, a group I'm a part of in the journalism industry had a huge win this week.
I'm going to savour this feeling for a while.
I'm going to savour this feeling for a while.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Mad Pride protests in France denounced violence in medical treatment. One of the protestors said: “All my life, I’ve been told I was different. Today, I’ve come to fight against normality!”
This and more in an update with disability news from 42 countries.
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/figh...
This and more in an update with disability news from 42 countries.
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/figh...
Fight against normality
Protests, sign languages, and curated disability news from 42 countries
www.disabilitydebrief.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Mad Pride protests in France denounced violence in medical treatment. One of the protestors said: “All my life, I’ve been told I was different. Today, I’ve come to fight against normality!”
This and more in an update with disability news from 42 countries.
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/figh...
This and more in an update with disability news from 42 countries.
www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/figh...
I have a soft spot in my heart for fellow freelance journalists who can write about incredibly difficult topics in a way that is intertwined with creative analysis. @justinling.ca is doing just that for TorStar right now.
Hey Canadians, I've been in the budget lockup all day. You can follow along with me (and the rest of the @thestar.com team) here: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
Canada budget 2025 live updates: Mark Carney’s Liberals table first fiscal plan; deficit rises to $78 billion
The budget has been billed as a mixture of austerity and big spending. Here’s everything you need to know.
www.thestar.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I have a soft spot in my heart for fellow freelance journalists who can write about incredibly difficult topics in a way that is intertwined with creative analysis. @justinling.ca is doing just that for TorStar right now.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Hi! I have reached out to as many writers as I could find for the Bitch x @theflytrapmedia.com project I am shepherding. If you published stories in Bitch and want to have them potentially republished at The Flytrap, email us! I’ll be responding. flyteam[at]theflytrapmedia[dot]com
November 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Hi! I have reached out to as many writers as I could find for the Bitch x @theflytrapmedia.com project I am shepherding. If you published stories in Bitch and want to have them potentially republished at The Flytrap, email us! I’ll be responding. flyteam[at]theflytrapmedia[dot]com
Oh look, a new piece by me!
What Exactly is Zohran Mamdani’s Disability Platform?
by John Loeppky
Image Description: Zohra Mamdani sits alone at a table in an ornate, mostly empty restaurant, resting his head on his hand.
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
by John Loeppky
Image Description: Zohra Mamdani sits alone at a table in an ornate, mostly empty restaurant, resting his head on his hand.
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
What Exactly is Zohran Mamdani’s Disability Platform? - Disabled Journalists Association
With Mamdani’s meteoric rise, questions persist about his disability policies prior to the November 4 general election
discojourno.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Oh look, a new piece by me!
Reposted by John Loeppky
Here at @theflytrapmedia.com we are a worker-owned collective! Proud to work alongside Katelyn Burns and appreciate her tolerance for my inability to understand even the most basic accounting topics.
Meet Flytrap cofounder Katelyn Burns (@katelynburns.com)! She was the first ever openly trans Capitol Hill reporter in US history. She has her own newsletter at https://f.mtr.cool/mvontdwnmv
October 24, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Here at @theflytrapmedia.com we are a worker-owned collective! Proud to work alongside Katelyn Burns and appreciate her tolerance for my inability to understand even the most basic accounting topics.
In 11 days I have had over 600 emails. I am in the midst of my busiest time of year. Sometimes it is tough being an inbox zero person when you fail at being so.
October 21, 2025 at 3:57 AM
In 11 days I have had over 600 emails. I am in the midst of my busiest time of year. Sometimes it is tough being an inbox zero person when you fail at being so.
Niko's absolutely right here.
I also feel like there's this tendency to compare ourselves with Americans without talking to many Americans in any real depth. One of the greatest personal benefits of being a freelancer in the way that I am is to be friends with so many Americans.
I also feel like there's this tendency to compare ourselves with Americans without talking to many Americans in any real depth. One of the greatest personal benefits of being a freelancer in the way that I am is to be friends with so many Americans.
October 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Niko's absolutely right here.
I also feel like there's this tendency to compare ourselves with Americans without talking to many Americans in any real depth. One of the greatest personal benefits of being a freelancer in the way that I am is to be friends with so many Americans.
I also feel like there's this tendency to compare ourselves with Americans without talking to many Americans in any real depth. One of the greatest personal benefits of being a freelancer in the way that I am is to be friends with so many Americans.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Trump nixes special education agency, lays off staff amid shutdown
By John Loeppky
New from www.discojourno.com
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
Image below is of the White House.
#News
By John Loeppky
New from www.discojourno.com
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
Image below is of the White House.
#News
Trump nixes special education agency, lays off staff amid shutdown - Disabled Journalists Association
This office monitored compliance for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a 1975 law commonly known as the IDEA.
discojourno.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Trump nixes special education agency, lays off staff amid shutdown
By John Loeppky
New from www.discojourno.com
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
Image below is of the White House.
#News
By John Loeppky
New from www.discojourno.com
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
Image below is of the White House.
#News
As a freelancer, the most important person to have contact information for is your editor.
The second most important is whoever oversees accounts payable.
Ask me how I know.
The second most important is whoever oversees accounts payable.
Ask me how I know.
September 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
As a freelancer, the most important person to have contact information for is your editor.
The second most important is whoever oversees accounts payable.
Ask me how I know.
The second most important is whoever oversees accounts payable.
Ask me how I know.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Our danger is real and imminent but we need to be clear eyed and honest about it in order to fight it effectively.
September 19, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Our danger is real and imminent but we need to be clear eyed and honest about it in order to fight it effectively.
I just saw the phrase "scoop-driven reporting" and I'd like it very much if this phrase was never written or uttered again in my lifetime.
September 18, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I just saw the phrase "scoop-driven reporting" and I'd like it very much if this phrase was never written or uttered again in my lifetime.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Check out this week's newsletter for my interview with Mariam Zaqout. We spoke about Palestine's water crisis, the failures of humanitarian aid, and why efforts to provide aid and rebuild in Gaza must be Palestinian-led. 💡
Mariam Zaqout on Palestine’s Water Crisis
Gaza has been without operable water and sanitation infrastructure for almost two years. Efforts to rebuild must be Palestinian-led.
newsletter.mariannedhenin.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Check out this week's newsletter for my interview with Mariam Zaqout. We spoke about Palestine's water crisis, the failures of humanitarian aid, and why efforts to provide aid and rebuild in Gaza must be Palestinian-led. 💡
Though I do so infrequently as a freelancer, I have to say that I am so fucking proud to work for this website.
CC @barryp.bsky.social
CC @barryp.bsky.social
We took the paywall down on this one. defector.com/how-the-fuck...
How Are You Supposed To Get The COVID Vaccine Now? An Explainer | Defector
As the muggy malaise of summer winds down, you might find yourself interested in taking advantage of one of several safe and proven vaccines to help protect you from the inevitable brumal surge of res...
defector.com
September 7, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Though I do so infrequently as a freelancer, I have to say that I am so fucking proud to work for this website.
CC @barryp.bsky.social
CC @barryp.bsky.social
@cqualtro.bsky.social Hello! Disabled writer here looking to get ahold of you for a possible project. I'm wondering what the best email to reach you at is.
Thanks!
Thanks!
August 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@cqualtro.bsky.social Hello! Disabled writer here looking to get ahold of you for a possible project. I'm wondering what the best email to reach you at is.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Reposted by John Loeppky
This is an entire article about how city employees are barred from speaking to the press without permission and how weird that is for a U.S. city.
It is also incredibly routine and basically the default in Canada….
www.modbee.com/news/politic...
It is also incredibly routine and basically the default in Canada….
www.modbee.com/news/politic...
Modesto’s control of public information raises questions on transparency, access
City says transparency is part of its “brand,” but it keeps a tight grip on employees’ communication with media.
www.modbee.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This is an entire article about how city employees are barred from speaking to the press without permission and how weird that is for a U.S. city.
It is also incredibly routine and basically the default in Canada….
www.modbee.com/news/politic...
It is also incredibly routine and basically the default in Canada….
www.modbee.com/news/politic...
@jmcelroy.bsky.social Hi Justin, hope you're well. Sent you an email but figured I'd post here as servers have been temperamental. Looking to interview you for something and wondering if it would be okay to DM?
August 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
@jmcelroy.bsky.social Hi Justin, hope you're well. Sent you an email but figured I'd post here as servers have been temperamental. Looking to interview you for something and wondering if it would be okay to DM?
My entire feed is journalists posting stuff like (paraphrasing) "If you read my reporting you'd have known this two weeks ago" and, like, folks, read the room.
August 12, 2025 at 10:56 PM
My entire feed is journalists posting stuff like (paraphrasing) "If you read my reporting you'd have known this two weeks ago" and, like, folks, read the room.
I am writing--hopefully somewhat well--and supporting those in my personal life going through a ton of hard transitions.
I am excited--despite everything--to look at disability pride month as an opportunity to sink into how change can be maintained and created.
I am excited--despite everything--to look at disability pride month as an opportunity to sink into how change can be maintained and created.
If you're reading this, whoever you are & whatever you're doing to try to make this world better, whether it's calling, protesting, providing mutual aid, making art, raising awareness, training & teaching people new concepts & skills, journalism, surviving through it all, or whatever else: thank you
July 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM
I am writing--hopefully somewhat well--and supporting those in my personal life going through a ton of hard transitions.
I am excited--despite everything--to look at disability pride month as an opportunity to sink into how change can be maintained and created.
I am excited--despite everything--to look at disability pride month as an opportunity to sink into how change can be maintained and created.
Reposted by John Loeppky
Hey Bsky, I am a journalist looking to speak with US health-care workers (doctors, nurses, specialists) who are moving to Canada. I'm curious to hear what their experience is like getting visas, licensed, moving. Overall easy or bureaucratic nightmare? DMs are open, HMU.
June 27, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Hey Bsky, I am a journalist looking to speak with US health-care workers (doctors, nurses, specialists) who are moving to Canada. I'm curious to hear what their experience is like getting visas, licensed, moving. Overall easy or bureaucratic nightmare? DMs are open, HMU.
Please excuse the self promo, but looking at the results from the primary in NYC, it would be cool if you took a look at this article I wrote for a new outlet I'm working with @discojourno.bsky.social that looked at how Cuomo's approach to disability may have shaped this race.
bit.ly/3ZMxBSU
bit.ly/3ZMxBSU
June 25, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Please excuse the self promo, but looking at the results from the primary in NYC, it would be cool if you took a look at this article I wrote for a new outlet I'm working with @discojourno.bsky.social that looked at how Cuomo's approach to disability may have shaped this race.
bit.ly/3ZMxBSU
bit.ly/3ZMxBSU
And also, ask yourself if it's just your favourite outlet that isn't covering this. There are tons of independent outlets of various sizes and strengths that may never reach your fav news media's front page.
"Why isn't the news covering [x]"?
You can email reporters asking them to cover stuff.
You can email reporters asking them to cover stuff.
June 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
And also, ask yourself if it's just your favourite outlet that isn't covering this. There are tons of independent outlets of various sizes and strengths that may never reach your fav news media's front page.
So thankful to be trusted with this story by both my sources and @thesicktimes.bsky.social
Today @thesicktimes.bsky.social: Long COVID is contributing to housing insecurity for many people, but government support programs fail to help.
By @jloeppky.com: thesicktimes.org/2025/06/17/l...
By @jloeppky.com: thesicktimes.org/2025/06/17/l...
Long COVID is increasing housing insecurity, but support programs fail to help - The Sick Times
A growing body of research shows that Long COVID, combined with a lack of government support, leads to financial insecurity and housing instability.
thesicktimes.org
June 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
So thankful to be trusted with this story by both my sources and @thesicktimes.bsky.social