Article 13 has been approved by EU. It’s worse than Net Neutrality has ever been. I don’t even know if we will have any access to Tumblr, Pinterest, Ao3 or even Instagram. Memes are probably dead, just like reactions, fanfictions and gifsets. Everyone in EU is in danger that they will not have access to their favorite sites. But I haven’t seen a SINGLE post about it on my dash because Americans doesn’t give a damn.

Also, I’m in Europe and ngl, had no idea this was even an article up for debate let alone it being fucking passed.

Don’t panic! This was expected at this stage and it is only the beginning. If you are a European and feel passionate about this, please keep on reading and help!

So what has happened so far … the Commission has drafted up a long overdue copyright reform. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/procedure/EN/2016_280 It contains a lot of good, and some bad: mainly Article 11 and 13.

This was put forward as a whole to the European Parlament, where it was voted down on the 5th of July 2018

This meant, this will not go through the fast way, and will be subject to scrutiny and change. 

The Commission made some alterations https://eur-lex.europa.eu/procedure/EN/2016_280 and put it forward again. If Parlament would have voted it down again, it probably would have meant back to the drawing board, but most people (including me) agree that Europe does need copyright reform, so on the second vote it passed the first step:

So what happens now? 

This will now go into what is called the Trilogue, where Commission, Parlament and representatives of all national governments will sit together to make alterations until everybody is happy implementing the regulation.

This means we can now influence this via our MEPs and our National Government!

In countries that are red your government is likely to support Article 13.

What to do now?

There are a lot of organisations that organise actions against article 13. Check out their websites and get in touch with your MEP or local government and let them know you are unhappy about this.

… and many many more, just google to find one in your country.

Also, as @asthesea-breezehitsmylungs pointed out, a lot of people are not aware of this going on. So make them aware! Share the memes and point them to the petitions. And don’t just complain how shit this is, get in touch with your politicians!

Oh good.

Yo, everyone, EU or not, please at least signal boost this shit. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: those two articles will suck majorly for all of us.

Like dude, how much time do you spend enjoying various things that relate to, Idk, your favourite show or book series. It’ll probs be gone. Funny memes and shit? Nah our generation doesn’t fucking need to laugh, it’s not like half of us are already depressed or anything. And so many other things that are cool about the internet, I’m not even gonna mention how some big, cool places like YouTube and Tumblr will be fucked by this.

So seriously, there’s only so much a small bunch of people can do. We need some noise on this. As much as I hate to admit it, some things require some fat numbres to be paid attention to. So even if you’re not planning on taking any action yourself, the best thing to do would be to spread this to everyone you trust to either get involved or pay it forward like you did.

And seriously, every little thing helps, ok? We should have a say in how the laws that deeply affect us are made.

SIGNAL BOOST

Signal boost again to all EU peeps. Keep pushing your MEPS.

SIGNAL BOOST FOR * EVERYONE *

do you ever feel yourself slowly losing your current hyperfixation but you’re not particularly interested in anything else rn so you have nothing to fill that void and ur just bored and ready for death

This is uncomfortably accurate

i feel so called out rn

aspie problems - meltdowns

When people think your meltdowns are tantrums and you’re just “overreacting.” In reality, your whole brain is shutting down and it feels like it’s killing itself.

Me, managing to function competently in a social environment for five (5) consecutive minutes: “Am I really autistic? Or am I just faking it? Why was I even diagnosed?”

Me: *proceeds to completely shutdown and go borderline nonverbal after spending slightly too long with unfamiliar people, has a panic attack whenever they get touched by a stranger, fails to understand seemingly simple instructions because one tiny detail was left out, fails to understand someone’s behavior because it’s illogical, fails to–

Me: “Oh right.”

If you know an autistic person doesn’t like a routine change, but you knowingly change it

If you know an autistic person doesn’t like social events (like parties), but you force them to attend

If you know an autistic person with a special interest, and you try to discourage it

If you know an autistic person who is happy stimming, and you tell them to stop because it “looks weird”

If you know an autistic person who goes through sensory overload, and you make that happen

Don’t yell at us or complain if we happen to react in a way you don’t like

Sensory Issues

Neurodiversity Pride and Custom Wood Art Commissions (Made-to-Order)

Some of you may remember my Neurodiversity and Custom Wood Art Commissions post I made a couple months ago. I wanted to make an updated post because my situation (mentioned below-the-cut) has changed.

To celebrate this new chapter in my life, I have made new designs based on the AutistiCrew created by @strangerdarkerbetter​ (and used with their permission). Each design will be wood burned, colored in with quality Prismacolor pencils and art stix, and then sealed with a smooth, glossy lacquer to protect them from scratching. There are 13 options for background colors to choose from (pictured below), but you have the option to leave it unfinished if you so desire.

There are six design options:

Autisticat (1)

This famous feline is a beloved symbol of the autistic community. Now with a cute new look!

Stimmy Kitty (2)

There’s a new kitty on the block, and they love to stim!  They are well-equipped with happy flaps and rainbow ear defenders matching the neurodiversity symbol around their neck.

Autistibat (3)

This sweet little bat has sensitive ears, a heart nose, and is dressed up in the neurodiversity symbol. They like to stim by flying and squeaking!

Cutesy Neurodiversity Symbol (4)

This is my adorable take on the neurodiversity symbol! You can see my original version in this post. It has rainbow stitching marks with a kawaii face in the middle.

Classic Neurodiversity Symbol (5)

The rainbow infinity sign symbolizes the neurodivergent community and its message of pride and acceptance for all the different ways our brains work.

Custom Orders (6) (Add $2 extra to the price of any type of wood base)

I am offering any custom design you like with a few perimeters!

There are four types of wood bases available:

1 1/4” Inch Round Keychains - $4

These keychains are perfect for neurodivergent pride on the go and keeping a reminder of your favorite things with you when you’re out. They are 1/8” thick and come with a secure clip-on keychain that you can attach to your purse, backpack, or other accessory. They will have your choice of design on the front and any background color you pick will be on the front and back.

1 1/4” Round Pins or Magnets - $4

Affix the pins to your clothes and the magnets to your fridge, locker, or any other magnetic surface. These are just like the keychains minus the little hole, and instead of being colored on the back, they will have a pin or magnet attached to them.

4 Inch Round Hanging Tags/Ornaments - $6

These wood circles are perfect to hang on your holiday tree or to hang anywhere all year long. The 1/8” hole at the top lets you thread ribbon, string, or a wire hook through it to allow for convenient hanging. These circles are 1/8” thick, but very sturdy. The edges are laser cut and the back of the piece will be left uncolored unless otherwise requested (extra charges may apply).

5 Inch Round Small Wood Plaques - $10

These simple and charming wood plaques each feature a sawtooth hanger on the back so you can display it on your wall or any suitable place you have. Each plaque is 3/4” thick and has beveled edges that will be painted, as per your choice, with white, black, or brown acrylic paint. If you do not specify, I will pick one that I think looks best.

—

If you are interested in ordering any wood art pieces, please contact me through Tumblr messenger or through my email at [email protected]. I reserve the right to turn down any order before I receive payment that I don’t feel like I can do OR to communicate possible alternatives to your order that will pend your approval.

Once you tell me your order, I will ask for your email and send you a Paypal invoice with all the specifics of your order. You will pay for your items through the link in the email. As soon as you do, the item will be made up and shipped to you within 7-8 business days or sooner through USPS. Note: There will be a $3 shipping charge on top of the purchase price. It will not increase even if you buy more pieces as long as I can fit it in one bubble envelope. If you are outside the U.S., I can accept your order but please know that the shipping charge will greatly increase based on your location.

If there is any issues with your order, please contact me and I will try to resolve it. I can also show you an in-progress shot of your order to make sure it is turning out how you want. 

Please signal boost this post even if you aren’t interested in buying. It will help so much and be very appreciated. Thank you so much! – Lav

Omg Stimmykitty is SO CUTE.

Acceptance is an action-this Autism Acceptance Month, join us, in taking action to #StopTheShock at the Judge Rotenberg Center.

Learn about what’s happening and how YOU can work to stop it: https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stop-the-shock-fact-sheet.pdf

“The thing I found most challenging about autism is that when you’re growing up, even people with the best intentions who are trying to help you are always telling you you’re wrong, that your basic instincts are incorrect, so you learn not to trust your own judgment.“

“Many people with serious health conditions require access to health care services to maintain their health and function. Requiring individuals to work to qualify would create a situation in which people cannot access the services they need to work without working — setting an impossible standard.“

TV Show Idea

It’s your usual Cutthroat Kitchen tournament-style episodic cook-off…with a catch: the contestants - pretentious, self-important chefs from around the country - are judged not by top-of-the-line famous cooks, but by normal people. 

And not just normal people, but normal people with everyday limitations that the chefs must adhere to. Each episode is a new competition that challenges the chefs with a new limitation or change based on various people’s food realities. 

Here are some possible episodes: 

Each of these will be judged by people who are really in the given situation. The low-income competition is judged by people who have those budget limitations every Thanksgiving. Their judges for the SPD episode are all Autistic (or have other SPD-inclusive disorders). The kids probably aren’t actually having a birthday party but they ARE all actually young children giving their honest opinion of what the contestants cook. 

Most chefs, when faced with making, say, a non-spicy hollandaise sauce will panic and say “the dish is ruined!” because all they did was make the sauce minus cayenne. Those chefs would soon be eliminated, leaving only adaptable, accepting contestants who know how to work inside the box to improve a given dish. Add, not just take away. Chefs who are ready to take classic meals in a new direction are the ones who win. 

The ultimate moral of this show is that given dishes can be made many ways, not just the traditional ways. 

Audiences in the mentioned demographics will both love seeing themselves represented on TV and learn new recipes invented under pressure/on the fly that they can copy at home. 

Feel free to add episode ideas to this!! I’m sure I missed a lot of people. 

Low FODMAP meals. Like, it is a MASSIVE restriction for a lot of people. I'm fortunate that my intolerance is to just fructose and galactose but I know people that have to avoid all FODMAPs. It stands for "Fermentable Oligo- Di- Mono- saccharides And Polyols" that is a lot of food.

Hell, they could do separate episodes that are different intolerances. No fructose for one, No Galactose for another.

OR it could be a deepening challenge as they continue to have reduced ingredients options as many people with IBS face. So it starts out with just fructose then it moves to more and more FODMAPs. And if the chef's can't adapt (or are derisive of the fact people have to have diets like this, frustration at the situation is OK) they are eliminated.

The final round? GLUTEN, LACTOSE, AND FODMAP FREE MEAL. Personally I don't know of anyone that's diabetic and has such intolerances combined (as in everything) but if you really want to be cruel add diabetes to the mix too.

For hell's sake it could be all of that PLUS sensory processing disorder. Because I know people who experience that!

The judges would be real people who have IBS/Crohn's or the mentioned intolerances. Contestants (and viewers) would be given a crash course on low FODMAP diets by real dieticians, and have high FODMAP foods completely unavailable during challenges.

I would absolutely love to see someone on TV have to sauté meat without onions/garlic.

The framing around autistic people not wanting to do things because their autism makes the things unpleasant is really fucking weird.

I don’t like going to nightclubs.

The main reason I don’t like it is that the noise causes me to meltdown.

And allistics see this as this huge, evil thing.

“Omg, poor Lucy, how will she ever live?”

And I’m just like,

Bitch, if you don’t like spicy food, because you were born with a low tolerance for spicy food, no one’s crying their fucking eyes out like

“Poor baby, how ever will she cope with only being able to order mild curries?”

People don’t like shit.

People don’t have to like shit.

And this weird thing where if the reason I don’t like something can be seen to be to do with my autism, I MUST BE FORCED TO ENJOY IT is fucking annoying and needs to stop.

400% of mental illness is thinking this is probably just how hard life is for everyone and you just can’t handle it because you’re a whiny baby who isn’t trying hard enough.

M O O D WTF

When I was severely depressed in middle school (7th grade) I thought everyone had to deal with bullies that harassed them nonstop and faculty that just didn't care. Really glad my parents noticed I wasn't okay and got me help. I am incredibly fortunate that I wasn't told to "suck it up" or "get over it" because I had been trying to do just that for years.

Being sad for a few days/a week is normal. Being sad for 2 weeks+ needs concern. Being sad for more than a month is depression.

So are feeling nothing/numb for long periods of time and loosing interest in anything and everything you used to like.