Comments on: On Leaving Community and Taking a Hiatus

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:30:47 +0000

Politically-based “communities” are so so incredibly toxic – well, I’ve had decent experiences with anarchists in my area but I know I just got lucky there and it not being based in identity politics probably helps – and I support everyone removing themselves from them. It’s so deeply rooted, and kind of invisibly, in even the “better” places. I got out of the autistic/disabled/MH “communities” gradually over the past half year and it helped me a whole lot. (I can produce original speech so much easier now, lolwut?) I even stopped reading the blogs (which is why I only saw this just now).

I doubt there’s much hope for any of this to change without many people radically altering the ways they think. And it took me a somewhat traumatic experience to do that myself, despite trying very hard over the course of a year and a half to improve my attitude, so I don’t have much hope even for that. The human mind can be such a death trap. :-\

Stay well.

By: nikki

nikki — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:47:42 +0000

i also only just found your blog and i hope you will leave it online.
i totally understand where you are coming from but it scares me to see that it seems that – like in most controversies – those who put the effort in to hold up their argument with research and thought are the ones that get burnt out by the sheer amount of and the graveness of attacks of “the other side”.
i hope you can find some peace & quiet and maybe come back in a different form and with less engagement. but please, from the little i see now, be present in the discussions because people like you are valuable to everyone, EVEN to those that may still be opposing you now.
kindly
nikki

By: Anita

Anita — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:49:44 +0000

I’ve been following your blog and fb page for sometime now and I cannot thank you enough for all the things I learnt from them. It helped me realise I’m not alone in all this and the ableism we deal with is NOT how things should be. People like you give therest of us strength to shout louder. Thanks a LOT! I hope you stay safe wherever you are and can come back someday refreshed.

Wishin you best,
Anita

By: GirlWithTheCane

GirlWithTheCane — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:02:34 +0000

I can relate to the feeling of having to step back and take a break.

You will be missed, but when and if you get to the point you feel that you can return, we will welcome you back with open arms. Just do what you need to do right to take care of yourself, because that’s what’s most important.

Be well,

Sarah

By: Jason Nolan

Jason Nolan — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:20:54 +0000

silenced.

By: Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt

Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:31:46 +0000

I just discovered your blog (through Dave Hingsburger’s blog) – and I have looked forward to reading your intelligent measured words, so I am sad for that.

Please leave the archives up – people like me will continue to find the value, and wonder at the mind that sees things so clearly.

You have expressed very eloquently why you are leaving: there is no safe place to stand, even when being civil. I wish you peace as you try to forget the bad parts. I hope there were also many, many empowering, good parts for you – because you speak to truth.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:32:58 +0000

But I just found you…

Be well, feel safe, and take care of yourself.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:33:45 +0000

I get it. Just dipping my toes in the comment threads leaves me burnt out sometimes–I’ve never been brave enough to swim into deeper water with a blog of my own. I hope to “see” you here again someday, and that trusted people are creating islands in time for you, wherever you are.

By: Jason Nolan

Jason Nolan — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:11:06 +0000

everyone should do this periodically. there’s no way to do what is important without taking a break, redirecting or moving on. I’m shocked people don’t do it more often.

By: Bec

Bec — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:17:43 +0000

Be well, Rachel. Thank you for your contributions to so many, I’m so saddened that it’s come at such a cost for you. Please do what you need to do to take care of yourself.