Polly Atkin
@pollyrowena.bsky.social
Writer, Lake-swimmer, Bookseller.
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
Pinned
Polly Atkin
@pollyrowena.bsky.social
· Aug 26
Nature is Not Going to Cure You: On Raynor Winn’s Fabricated Memoir
Like many writers, I have been following the unfolding revelations about Raynor Winn and The Salt Path with great interest, and a degree of self-interest. I am a memoirist and nature writer, and I …
lithub.com
I keep getting asked for my salty thoughts about the Salt Path as my position on nature cure narratives is v clear! A mere fraction of those thoughts published here @literaryhub.bsky.social, with thanks to @bookwormvaught.bsky.social and @nicwilson.bsky.social for their earlier pieces linked below.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
I’m pretty sure most if not all my connections will already have seen this; but just in case 👇🏼
Please help honour Jamie’s memory if you can. 💚💔💚
Please help honour Jamie’s memory if you can. 💚💔💚
Popping back for something important…
This is for those of you who knew & loved that golden human, Jamie Normington @movingslowly.bsky.social – and those who never met him but were amused, enlightened, touched by his gift for communication and compassion here and on Twitter.
This is for those of you who knew & loved that golden human, Jamie Normington @movingslowly.bsky.social – and those who never met him but were amused, enlightened, touched by his gift for communication and compassion here and on Twitter.
November 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I’m pretty sure most if not all my connections will already have seen this; but just in case 👇🏼
Please help honour Jamie’s memory if you can. 💚💔💚
Please help honour Jamie’s memory if you can. 💚💔💚
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Bea has come up with a way to honour Jamie which will do lasting good. Please visit her Just Giving page for @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social & @pancreaticcanuk.bsky.social, supporting the wildlife he loved, & fighting the bastard disease that stole him from us.
www.justgiving.com/team/teamjam...
www.justgiving.com/team/teamjam...
Team Jamie!
Help Bea Normington raise money to support Cumbria Wildlife Trust
www.justgiving.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Bea has come up with a way to honour Jamie which will do lasting good. Please visit her Just Giving page for @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social & @pancreaticcanuk.bsky.social, supporting the wildlife he loved, & fighting the bastard disease that stole him from us.
www.justgiving.com/team/teamjam...
www.justgiving.com/team/teamjam...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
It's a stunning example of mutual aid that you've come together to help Mai survive a high-risk pregnancy & welcome new life to Gaza—medicine, nutritious food, hospital costs, baby clothes.
Again, is there a more special way to pledge a dollar? Give/find her link here: chuffed.org/project/hope...
Again, is there a more special way to pledge a dollar? Give/find her link here: chuffed.org/project/hope...
Keep Hope Alive: a Gaza Giving Circle
We are a team of volunteers in the US and UK, led by two sisters passionate about helping our friends on the ground keep their families and neighbors alive with food, water, & shelter. We saw that…
chuffed.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It's a stunning example of mutual aid that you've come together to help Mai survive a high-risk pregnancy & welcome new life to Gaza—medicine, nutritious food, hospital costs, baby clothes.
Again, is there a more special way to pledge a dollar? Give/find her link here: chuffed.org/project/hope...
Again, is there a more special way to pledge a dollar? Give/find her link here: chuffed.org/project/hope...
First snow on the tops, falling as sleet then rain in the valley. Birds very cross this morning that I didn't refill the feeders yesterday at dusk when I realised it was almost empty, but delighted @likewinterblue.bsky.social went out in the freezing rain to do it. This, the queue after.
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
First snow on the tops, falling as sleet then rain in the valley. Birds very cross this morning that I didn't refill the feeders yesterday at dusk when I realised it was almost empty, but delighted @likewinterblue.bsky.social went out in the freezing rain to do it. This, the queue after.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
I call this photo Workington, home of the best kestrel AKA getting the car serviced on a windy day
November 15, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I call this photo Workington, home of the best kestrel AKA getting the car serviced on a windy day
Reposted by Polly Atkin
lithub.com/remembering-.... read this achingly beautiful piece by @thrasherxy.bsky.social I keep thinking, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social was irreplaceable but she nurtured a whole-ass huge forest (or series of forests). No one can replace her, except for all of us doing the work she nurtured in us.
Remembering Alice Wong: Writer, Advocate, Friend
Though we were in frequent conversation for a decade, I only got to meet my friend Alice Wong in person just once. And when I did, I was a bundle of nerves—and that was before she cussed me out wi…
lithub.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
lithub.com/remembering-.... read this achingly beautiful piece by @thrasherxy.bsky.social I keep thinking, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social was irreplaceable but she nurtured a whole-ass huge forest (or series of forests). No one can replace her, except for all of us doing the work she nurtured in us.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Flat pack instructions unclear.
November 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Flat pack instructions unclear.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
To add to the pile of Alice Wong's work (that we should continue reading for years and years to come), here's an archival link to an digital Bitch Media Access Issue that Alice co-edited back in 2021 (apologies for access issues on this archival link) web.archive.org/web/20211104...
Why We’re Running a Series About Access
Access is still treated as if it’s a privilege, a burden, or a form of special treatment.
web.archive.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
To add to the pile of Alice Wong's work (that we should continue reading for years and years to come), here's an archival link to an digital Bitch Media Access Issue that Alice co-edited back in 2021 (apologies for access issues on this archival link) web.archive.org/web/20211104...
Wishing you as much cosy as this guy.
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Wishing you as much cosy as this guy.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Before she died, Alice Wong was kind enough to give me an interview for my book, Who Wants Normal?
Here’s her wonderful advice to disabled women (from the Guardian extract): www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Here’s her wonderful advice to disabled women (from the Guardian extract): www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
November 17, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Before she died, Alice Wong was kind enough to give me an interview for my book, Who Wants Normal?
Here’s her wonderful advice to disabled women (from the Guardian extract): www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Here’s her wonderful advice to disabled women (from the Guardian extract): www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Daily #BirdWatch (1/3)
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Brambling, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Redpoll, Linnet, Chaffinch, Redwing, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, Rock Dove,
#UKBirding
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Brambling, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Redpoll, Linnet, Chaffinch, Redwing, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, Rock Dove,
#UKBirding
November 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Daily #BirdWatch (1/3)
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Brambling, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Redpoll, Linnet, Chaffinch, Redwing, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, Rock Dove,
#UKBirding
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Brambling, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Redpoll, Linnet, Chaffinch, Redwing, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, Rock Dove,
#UKBirding
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Watching disabled people around the world mourn Alice is a reminder of the good aspect of the internet. 30 years ago, few people outside of SF would ever have known Alice existed. I never would have met her. The internet connected us all. Let’s honor Alice’s memory by using that power and community.
My social media is wall-to-wall love for the incomparable Alice Wong, and I need more words. What captures sadness and/also affection for a community that knows what's been lost?
Alice could not eat food for years.
And yet at Christmas she would bake cookies and mail them to me—such was her desire to provide care for the people she loved.
And yet at Christmas she would bake cookies and mail them to me—such was her desire to provide care for the people she loved.
November 16, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Watching disabled people around the world mourn Alice is a reminder of the good aspect of the internet. 30 years ago, few people outside of SF would ever have known Alice existed. I never would have met her. The internet connected us all. Let’s honor Alice’s memory by using that power and community.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
“She explained how much Covid could hurt her & how vulnerable it felt to be unable to wear a mask to protect herself.
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
Thank You Alice Wong
Alice Wong has passed away and the disability community has lost a leader. I lost a mentor and a friend. The Disabled Ginger wouldn't exist without Alice and everything she taught me.
www.disabledginger.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:48 AM
“She explained how much Covid could hurt her & how vulnerable it felt to be unable to wear a mask to protect herself.
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Alice is the one who taught me the power, joys, nuances and challenges of online disability communities--at a time when my own disability was making me more housebound.
I remain forever grateful to her, for showing me what could be possible, but also what remains to be done.
I remain forever grateful to her, for showing me what could be possible, but also what remains to be done.
Watching disabled people around the world mourn Alice is a reminder of the good aspect of the internet. 30 years ago, few people outside of SF would ever have known Alice existed. I never would have met her. The internet connected us all. Let’s honor Alice’s memory by using that power and community.
My social media is wall-to-wall love for the incomparable Alice Wong, and I need more words. What captures sadness and/also affection for a community that knows what's been lost?
November 16, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Alice is the one who taught me the power, joys, nuances and challenges of online disability communities--at a time when my own disability was making me more housebound.
I remain forever grateful to her, for showing me what could be possible, but also what remains to be done.
I remain forever grateful to her, for showing me what could be possible, but also what remains to be done.
yes for sure the really important thing about any sanctuary is that you should know before you enter it that you're going to get turfed out again and put back in danger asap. Very much in the definition, very much the vibe.
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
yes for sure the really important thing about any sanctuary is that you should know before you enter it that you're going to get turfed out again and put back in danger asap. Very much in the definition, very much the vibe.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Oh this is LOVELY. Claire talking about her role in H is for Hawk. She is not only an astonishing actor but an extraordinarily accomplished natural hawk-handler, entirely in tune with the birds
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Oh this is LOVELY. Claire talking about her role in H is for Hawk. She is not only an astonishing actor but an extraordinarily accomplished natural hawk-handler, entirely in tune with the birds
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Lovely to see this review of #TheCompanyOfOwls by the brilliant Abi Andrews at @caughtbytheriver.bsky.social. Getting 'a chimerical guide to owlishness' on a banner or something.
Newly out in paperback, @pollyrowena.bsky.social's 'The Company of Owls' (@eandtbooks.bsky.social) demonstrates how we can be better neighbours to the nonhuman, writes Abi Andrews 🦉 www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/11/the-...
November 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Lovely to see this review of #TheCompanyOfOwls by the brilliant Abi Andrews at @caughtbytheriver.bsky.social. Getting 'a chimerical guide to owlishness' on a banner or something.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Newly out in paperback, @pollyrowena.bsky.social's 'The Company of Owls' (@eandtbooks.bsky.social) demonstrates how we can be better neighbours to the nonhuman, writes Abi Andrews 🦉 www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/11/the-...
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Newly out in paperback, @pollyrowena.bsky.social's 'The Company of Owls' (@eandtbooks.bsky.social) demonstrates how we can be better neighbours to the nonhuman, writes Abi Andrews 🦉 www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
A Washington resident has been hospitalized with bird flu, according to the Washington State Health Department, and they’re infected with a strain of the virus that hasn’t been seen in humans before. https://cnn.it/4oIRswI
November 15, 2025 at 3:31 AM
A Washington resident has been hospitalized with bird flu, according to the Washington State Health Department, and they’re infected with a strain of the virus that hasn’t been seen in humans before. https://cnn.it/4oIRswI
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Alice Wong's passing is a hard one for the disability community to hear today. Her and I chatted once for my podcast, and then the audio got deleted by accident and we never did it again. She was a powerhouse and challenged how we look at disability and able-bodiness. May she rest in power.
November 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Alice Wong's passing is a hard one for the disability community to hear today. Her and I chatted once for my podcast, and then the audio got deleted by accident and we never did it again. She was a powerhouse and challenged how we look at disability and able-bodiness. May she rest in power.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
"I insist on resisting with joy and finding pleasure where I can such as with my friends and two cats, Bert and Ernie. Yes, life is a complete dumpster fire, but I am reminded that I am not alone, that I am in this with many others." — Alice Wong, January 2025: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Disability advocate Alice Wong on resistance in the new year: ‘Life is a dumpster fire, but I’m not alone’
The activist, who received a 2024 MacArthur ‘genius’ grant, reflects on a moment that changed her life – and why she finds hope in sci-fi
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"I insist on resisting with joy and finding pleasure where I can such as with my friends and two cats, Bert and Ernie. Yes, life is a complete dumpster fire, but I am reminded that I am not alone, that I am in this with many others." — Alice Wong, January 2025: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
alice wong treated me as an equal from the moment she met me. i was a teenager with very little experience in the way of organizing; she was already a titan in this community. it didn't matter. she believed above all else that everyone, no matter how small, deserved to be treated as a future elder.
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
alice wong treated me as an equal from the moment she met me. i was a teenager with very little experience in the way of organizing; she was already a titan in this community. it didn't matter. she believed above all else that everyone, no matter how small, deserved to be treated as a future elder.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
this just reminded me of a recent episode of @radiolab.bsky.social that she was on
www.wnycstudios.org/story/voice/
www.wnycstudios.org/story/voice/
Voice
How we got our voices and the power they hold over us.
www.wnycstudios.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
this just reminded me of a recent episode of @radiolab.bsky.social that she was on
www.wnycstudios.org/story/voice/
www.wnycstudios.org/story/voice/
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Alice in her own words: bsky.app/profile/thra...
“With so many marginalized communities, we’re basically the oracles…we’re the ones who see shit before it happens.” In June 2020, I interviewed Alice Wong for TVU before she lost her ability to speak. I asked her how she’d first learned of SARS-CoV-2. She began with the 2016 election of Trump:
November 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Alice in her own words: bsky.app/profile/thra...