Spastic & Fantastic

08/01/2024

https://www.spasticandfantastic.com/blog/miss-independence

Independence is a word that gets thrown around a lot without much thought about its meaning or weight. If you think about it, independence is praised and valued above most things in society. For some reason, we feel we are less deserving of something if we had help achieving it. Because of this subc

03/05/2024

Hi! I’m alive and well! Here is a photo dump of little moments that happened (somewhat) recently.

Here is a little recap on my life:
My name is Gillian and I’m 28 years old with cerebral palsy. Pictured are two of my favourite beings: my dog AJ and my boyfriend Antony.

I like to share little bits of my life to show that people with disabilities are just as weird as everybody else, and to hopefully make others like me feel less alone. I never had a platform where I could learn about living a “normal” life with my disability, vent, and learn how to cope with all the things. I didn’t know what my life could look like. I didn’t know how to navigate my care, living independently, relationships, etc. Honestly, I still don’t really know what I’m doing, but thanks for following along on the journey!

07/16/2022

Was a great day with .entropy at the first annual Multicultural Connections Event. Thanks to all who stopped by 💜

07/12/2022

Do you have plans this Saturday? Come join!

Join us on Saturday at this fun, FREE, community event.

Be entertained with 8 different performances from around the globe, including Vancouver Cantonese Opera, City Opera Vancouver, Shot of Scotch Vancouver, Jane Wylie, Indigenous Hoop Dancer, Sina Hosseini, Bashi Tribe from the democratic Republic of Congo, Bharatanatyam dancing and Paul Tavai-Latta Polynesian Dancers & Co.

Enjoy tasty food from , and Rocky Point Ice Cream

Visit various vendors including CityReach Care Society Dazzle Carpet Cleaning , Spastic & Fantastic Low Entropy and many more!

Arrive early to save your seats!
🙌🏽😃🎵👏🏽

07/06/2022

COME SAY HI! 👋🏻entropy is hosting a multicultural connections event filled with food, performances, and fun! Swipe for more details 💜

04/03/2022

✨ SPASTIC & SEXY? ✨
One of the most frustrating parts of being a disabled woman (for me), is not feeling like I’m seen as a woman - let alone a desirable one. This can be attributed to my self-esteem and the perpetual delivery of unattainable beauty standards, but it I think it is more that disability is not seen as s*xy or desirable (unless it’s fetishized - I come across this more than I care to admit).
I’ve lived in this body for 26 years, and up until recently I wasn’t holding space for anything but resentment towards it. I didn’t think anyone would see me as pretty, desirable, s*xy etc. because I always saw myself as the “disabled girl”, the “funny one”, and the “good friend” that no one would ever be interested in romantically and/or intimately.
Acceptance is a process. I’ve had to learn that I am all of the above and more; I disabled, I am funny, I am a good friend, I am s*xy, and I am desirable.
✨ A huge shout out to for making me feel extra gorgeous and for being an amazing human to work with. ✨
More on s*x and disability coming soon because it exists and it matters. 💜
*xanddisability ***ir

01/19/2022

Miss me?
I’ve been staring at this post for 20 minutes with no clue where to start and I’ve come to the collusion that there is no way to put this eloquently. Long story short, I had a crappy ending to 2021 and a crappy start to 2022.
These last two months have been filled with more trials, heartbreaks and obstacles than I thought I could manage - honestly, I’m just taking it day by day. I’ve dealt with everything from the loss of my grandpa, to a hospital stay, to a breakup, to covid, to a caregiver shortage.
I’m going through a huge transition, and I would like to take you with me when I’m ready to share. I am extremely grateful for those of you that have continued to show your support and love as I navigate through these changes!
Xo Gill (& AJ) 💜

12/09/2021

Hello from my home away from home! My bladder and kidneys have been having a little party at my expense, but we’re working on getting our life together!
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LET’S TALK ABOUT MY INSIDES
Bladder infections are pretty common for people like me. I use a catheter (soft tube) that I insert in my belly button to get to my bladder without needing to get out of my wheelchair! Pretty cool, hey? I had that surgery about eight years ago and it was life-changing for me. Before the surgery, I had to get transferred on and off the toilet, which made life difficult when there wasn’t an accessible washroom or people to help. There was a lot of anxiety and shame surrounding needing help in the bathroom that lessened once I was able to have more independence.
While this set up helps in many ways, it still isn’t perfect. The first problem is an increased infection risk - putting something from the outside inside your body brings bacteria in with it that wouldn’t normally be there. The second problem has to do with my drinking habits or lack there of. From a young age I have struggled to intake enough liquids for fear that I would have to go without being able to.
Accidents happen and that was really hard for me to come to terms with. It still is. There is a lot of shame and embarrassment around natural human functions when there shouldn’t be. The bladder and bowel are controlled by muscles. Lack of muscle control in my case means all muscles are affected.
Drink the water and clean up if you need to. Bodily fluids just mean you’re alive.

12/07/2021

I went out of my comfort zone yesterday. For the first time in years, I went to get my nails done. I haven’t bothered for a long time because a nail tech once laughed at my hand and arm spasms. I regret letting him win.
These spasms are a product of having spasticity - this basically means I have severe muscle tightness or “tone”. There is always tension in my muscles, but sometimes it can release momentarily causing a spasm or involuntary movement.
Due to having Spastic Cerebral Palsy, there is no part of my body that isn’t affected by this phenomenon. My arms and hands are the most visibly apparent.
I named my platform Spastic & Fantastic because I wanted to own a part of myself that I have had a hard time coming to terms with.
Spasticity isn’t fun; it can be painful and frustrating to get my body to cooperate, but I realize I don’t have to love it in order to embrace it.

12/06/2021

I’ve been going through a lot. Part of why I started this platform is to normalize people like me having “regular life” struggles outside of disability. I go through loss, frustration, anger & more. Everything that a “typical” person goes through, I do too. I’ve made some terrible mistakes, said some terrible things & have many regrets. In a way, this comforts me because it reminds me of my humanity when others struggle to see it.
Along with the crappy part of the human experience, I experience the joy too. I have a wonderful family and am blessed to share many memories with my loved ones and relatives.
I lost my grandpa a few days ago and I am devastated; he was the definition of a gentle soul. I am so grateful to have grown up in a family that loves each other as much as we do no mater our individual circumstances.

12/02/2021

Transportation to get coffee is a must. For that reason alone, my wheelchair is quite literally my ride or die! 👩🏼‍🦼❤️‍🔥
ON THE BLOG: I’M NOT WHEELCHAIR-BOUND