Not Enough Spoons: Writing About Disability & Chronic Illness // with Angie River

In the disability community many people prescribe to the “spoon theory.” This theory is a way of describing the ways a sick or disabled person has to ration out their energy in order to get through the day. As a disabled person dealing with chronic pain and fatigue, I, Angie River, know that many days I don’t have enough “spoons” to do the things I need or want to do. Likewise, people living with chronic illness face similar challenges. I have found writing to be a very healing act for me, both in allowing myself to accept the feelings I’m having, but also to give words to the things going on in my body and mind, both for myself as well as for others wondering about why or how I’m sick. This class investigates the healing aspects of writing for those with disability and chronic illness, and will provide participants the opportunity to write and share their own narratives. Two half-scholarships available to people with financial need. Please contact our executive director for info. at TLAN.coordinator@gmail.com.

Week by Week

Week One will begin with an overview of chronic illness and disability and how creative writing can add to our personal understanding and healing.

Week Two and Three will look at the ways that the practice of writing can help us deal with and manage illness and disability.

Week Four will discuss ways we can use writing to broaden awareness about disability and chronic illness.

Week Five will investigate systems of self-care and how we can integrate writing and creativity into our self-care routines.

Week Six will look at ways we can access our creative outlets when we are out of spoons or aren’t otherwise able to do writing in the ways we would most like to.

Who Should Take This Class

Anyone with disability or chronic illness who is interested in exploring this more though writing, as well as those who facilitate workshops for people living with disability or chronic illness. All attempts will be made to make this course as accessible as possible to those participating; if you have specific accessibility needs please contact the facilitator.

Format

This is an online class. Each week will include various texts to help us explore disability and creative modalities that can help us deal with and manage chronic illness and disability. Each week will also include discussions of the readings and our personal experiences, as well as creative writing prompts. Students should plan to spend 3-4 hours per week on the class. However, because our spoons vary day to day, the class will be formatted in a way that is flexible for working when you can and resting when you need.

About the Teacher

Angie River is a disabled, queer educator, activist, and performance artist. While dealing with a myriad of physical and mental health issues which impact the way she moves through the world, Angie has discovered that writing helps her to process the things her body is doing and the emotions she experience. She has written a series of poems based on her medical bills, dabbles with chronic illness self-portraits, and has a zine detailing her journey of self-care entitled "Chronicles of a Glitter Spoonie." Angie has presented at places such as The Body Love Conference, has performed and produced shows across the country, and is published in various places including the anthology "Queering Sexual Violence" and "The Body is Not an Apology" website. You can read some of Angie's work at her website: https://nittygrittynakedness.wordpress.com/

What Students are Saying

"This course has opened my eyes to the possibility of healing others through facilitated writing exercises and discussions."

"I loved the writing prompts and discussions in this class. It got me to think more deeply about myself and others in a way to better understand and help myself and others heal from illness or disability."

"I also have begun to connect to this broken up body again, with self-acceptance and love."

"I am walking away with a different take on my identity as a writer with disabilities. I feel much freer."