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Disclosing your disability at work

Posted on May 20, 2025by Vanessa Smith

“Just don’t disclose your disability until you’re hired!”   We’ve all heard it before. Employment can be a very ableist space.   Unfortunately, there comes a time or a type of need where you can’t not disclose, because you need accommodations from the very start of the recruitment process.   Take me for example. I […]

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Advocacy – quick thank you email

Posted on May 6, 2025by Vanessa Smith

I’m planning to document and collate more of my advocacy on this site. Mostly so that others can use my words with a template to save them some energy (though my words are never perfect nor are they the only words you can use) and to remind myself on bad days (I’m having one right […]

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Advocacy has to include loss?

Posted on April 30, 2025April 30, 2025by Vanessa Smith

Recently I saw a post on social media saying your advocacy has to cost you something. Sleep, career opportunities, relationships… whatever it may be, they claimed that if your advocacy hasn’t cost you something, then it may be performative.   I have major issues with this thought process!   It assumes you can lose what […]

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The disability service isn’t for disabilities

Posted on April 24, 2025by Vanessa Smith

Yeah that sounds like a really shitty ridiculous headline, doesn’t it? I wrote about trying to get some disability services in early 2025 and how I’d lodged a complaint. Well, here’s the follow up to that. Maybe take some blood pressure medication before reading.   My complaint: To Whom It May Concern, I wish to […]

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2025 Disability Supports: an attempt at QLD state government supports

Posted on April 24, 2025April 24, 2025by Vanessa Smith

I shared what trying to get supports was like in 2024. Well, in early 2025 I had to try again. Something had changed and I needed a support. From my 2024 experience I had learned more about what state based services offered and felt more confident that I would be able to get the support […]

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Disabled Resilience

Posted on March 13, 2024February 5, 2024by Vanessa Smith
Disabled Resilience

I’m having a very frustrating day today, and I think what makes it frustrating is the layers. It’s the layers of expecting to have to deal with shitty humans on top of your shitty body. Why? Can we not catch a break? Everyone wants to celebrate the resilience of people with a disability, but no […]

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What if I don’t want to work anymore?

Posted on March 6, 2024February 5, 2024by Vanessa Smith
What if I don’t want to work anymore?

This is a tweet I shared last year. If you were around me in 2023 you know I’ve been through mega fucking piles of fucking ableist wank bullshit. (And yes, that’s the nicest way I can put it.)   I’m starting a blog post on an “unacceptable” topic: What if I don’t want to work […]

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Not disabled enough

Posted on February 28, 2024February 5, 2024by Vanessa Smith
Not disabled enough

I had a flash back to reading an enterprise bargaining agreement. I know, I have had a wild life. Part of the agreement included a way to kick people out of the university based on health. It did mention that if you’re going through this process, you should engage with your super fund to see if […]

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Asking for permission sucks

Posted on February 25, 2024February 5, 2024by Vanessa Smith
Asking for permission sucks

Was chatting to a friend about library books & she suggested I try neighbour shire card (or something to that effect) but all info says you need to show ID in person. Not helpful for a housebound person. Am so sick of being left out. Now I’m left out of ebooks for fucks sake.   […]

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No fun at work

Posted on February 21, 2024February 5, 2024by Vanessa Smith
No fun at work

Recently I saw someone reshare the Vice article from a couple of years back where someone won a lawsuit saying that their employer couldn’t force them to do fun things.   And I think a lot of people were joking about it. I mean, a lot of people don’t like their team building activities and […]

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Meet NormalNess

NormalNess is where I share my life. And books I’ve written. I vlog sometimes. I also podcast occasionally. In the meantime, hang out with me and remember: We’re all normal to ourselves…

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  • Disclosing your disability at work
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