Jen
@stardustrohrig.com
Hard of Hearing
AroAce
Agender (she/they)
(probably) Autistic
Avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, memoirs & other non fiction
Book Reviews & Disability Commentary: https://madeofstardustandstubbornness.com/
Additional Links: https://jenrweb.com
AroAce
Agender (she/they)
(probably) Autistic
Avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, memoirs & other non fiction
Book Reviews & Disability Commentary: https://madeofstardustandstubbornness.com/
Additional Links: https://jenrweb.com
new dishwasher- YAY! (old one was very old and leaking)
... but I have no idea how to tell when this one is finished. It doesn't have the same light indicators on the front, and it runs so quiet I can't even tell if it's off ... maybe if all the lights turn off?!
But I have a new dishwasher!
... but I have no idea how to tell when this one is finished. It doesn't have the same light indicators on the front, and it runs so quiet I can't even tell if it's off ... maybe if all the lights turn off?!
But I have a new dishwasher!
January 24, 2026 at 12:45 AM
new dishwasher- YAY! (old one was very old and leaking)
... but I have no idea how to tell when this one is finished. It doesn't have the same light indicators on the front, and it runs so quiet I can't even tell if it's off ... maybe if all the lights turn off?!
But I have a new dishwasher!
... but I have no idea how to tell when this one is finished. It doesn't have the same light indicators on the front, and it runs so quiet I can't even tell if it's off ... maybe if all the lights turn off?!
But I have a new dishwasher!
Reposted by Jen
Two donations totaling $75 have brought me up to $125 of $700, due Sunday morning. Are there any other folks who can chip in today?
Sooner is better! Last minute scrambling throws off my sleep, health, and mental state. Please keep sharing, and chip in if you can?
Sooner is better! Last minute scrambling throws off my sleep, health, and mental state. Please keep sharing, and chip in if you can?
January 23, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Two donations totaling $75 have brought me up to $125 of $700, due Sunday morning. Are there any other folks who can chip in today?
Sooner is better! Last minute scrambling throws off my sleep, health, and mental state. Please keep sharing, and chip in if you can?
Sooner is better! Last minute scrambling throws off my sleep, health, and mental state. Please keep sharing, and chip in if you can?
Reposted by Jen
There's an understandable instinct to clarify that someone kidnapped by ICE has legal status or no criminal record, but the thing is, it doesn't matter at this point. Every ICE abduction is an abomination. This is an illegitimate state terror organization and should be treated as such.
January 22, 2026 at 11:31 PM
There's an understandable instinct to clarify that someone kidnapped by ICE has legal status or no criminal record, but the thing is, it doesn't matter at this point. Every ICE abduction is an abomination. This is an illegitimate state terror organization and should be treated as such.
The amount of intellectual ableism is just going to get worse the more everything goes on isn't it? Because people will always make everything about intelligence which is a bullshit concept seeped in racism and ableism. And I hate it.
January 22, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The amount of intellectual ableism is just going to get worse the more everything goes on isn't it? Because people will always make everything about intelligence which is a bullshit concept seeped in racism and ableism. And I hate it.
Reposted by Jen
I never noticed how often I reach for terms that describe someone's intelligence or psychological state - when what I really want to criticize is their moral character - until I started paying attention and trying to stop.
It's a social conditioning we've all received but it's not serving us.
It's a social conditioning we've all received but it's not serving us.
To add on to this, because Erin's getting a lot of "ugh, then what CAN we say?" in the comments: the problem is not a naughty list of banned words to be replaced by approved synonyms. The problem is that general "intelligence" as a concept is largely incoherent and only useful for eugenics.
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
January 22, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I never noticed how often I reach for terms that describe someone's intelligence or psychological state - when what I really want to criticize is their moral character - until I started paying attention and trying to stop.
It's a social conditioning we've all received but it's not serving us.
It's a social conditioning we've all received but it's not serving us.
Reposted by Jen
To add on to this, because Erin's getting a lot of "ugh, then what CAN we say?" in the comments: the problem is not a naughty list of banned words to be replaced by approved synonyms. The problem is that general "intelligence" as a concept is largely incoherent and only useful for eugenics.
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
The Origins of the Word "Moron" Are Actually REALLY Sinister
It's much more than just a casual insult.
www.teenvogue.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:31 AM
To add on to this, because Erin's getting a lot of "ugh, then what CAN we say?" in the comments: the problem is not a naughty list of banned words to be replaced by approved synonyms. The problem is that general "intelligence" as a concept is largely incoherent and only useful for eugenics.
Reposted by Jen
I am pretty desperate for hearing aid batteries ($700 to replace) & glasses so I don't have to drop out of my class and also I need a rollator to access community+some medications.
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kar...
Venmo: @ / KARRIE-HIGGINS-2
tax deductible: helphopelive.org/campaign/159...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kar...
Venmo: @ / KARRIE-HIGGINS-2
tax deductible: helphopelive.org/campaign/159...
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
I am pretty desperate for hearing aid batteries ($700 to replace) & glasses so I don't have to drop out of my class and also I need a rollator to access community+some medications.
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kar...
Venmo: @ / KARRIE-HIGGINS-2
tax deductible: helphopelive.org/campaign/159...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kar...
Venmo: @ / KARRIE-HIGGINS-2
tax deductible: helphopelive.org/campaign/159...
Reposted by Jen
Since a lot of folks have suggested ableist alternative words let’s chat about this:
Intelligence is not something that can be measured without employing bigotry and it’s not something that determines a moral compass or good vs bad
So any word at all that uses intelligence as an insult is ableist
Intelligence is not something that can be measured without employing bigotry and it’s not something that determines a moral compass or good vs bad
So any word at all that uses intelligence as an insult is ableist
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
The Origins of the Word "Moron" Are Actually REALLY Sinister
It's much more than just a casual insult.
www.teenvogue.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Since a lot of folks have suggested ableist alternative words let’s chat about this:
Intelligence is not something that can be measured without employing bigotry and it’s not something that determines a moral compass or good vs bad
So any word at all that uses intelligence as an insult is ableist
Intelligence is not something that can be measured without employing bigotry and it’s not something that determines a moral compass or good vs bad
So any word at all that uses intelligence as an insult is ableist
Reposted by Jen
The civil rights movement for Black people was entwined in the disability civil rights movement. We could not have gained disability rights without it. As Dr. King stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
January 19, 2026 at 10:59 PM
The civil rights movement for Black people was entwined in the disability civil rights movement. We could not have gained disability rights without it. As Dr. King stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Reposted by Jen
This is one hundred percent true. Government programs that provided aid and subsidies, and were de facto white-only, were popular across party lines and widely accepted before the Civil Rights movement.
When open discrimination in their application was outlawed, the pullback began.
When open discrimination in their application was outlawed, the pullback began.
If you could’ve guaranteed that black folks wouldn’t get free healthcare, it feels like we would’ve gotten nationalized medicine a fucking century ago as part of the New Deal or something.
January 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This is one hundred percent true. Government programs that provided aid and subsidies, and were de facto white-only, were popular across party lines and widely accepted before the Civil Rights movement.
When open discrimination in their application was outlawed, the pullback began.
When open discrimination in their application was outlawed, the pullback began.
love how so many of the responses to this post are talking about the intelligence level of elected officials. ‘Instead of their evil and cruel acts. Nope apparently it’s their intelligence that’s in question…
…. People just want to be abelist.
…. People just want to be abelist.
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
The Origins of the Word "Moron" Are Actually REALLY Sinister
It's much more than just a casual insult.
www.teenvogue.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:56 PM
love how so many of the responses to this post are talking about the intelligence level of elected officials. ‘Instead of their evil and cruel acts. Nope apparently it’s their intelligence that’s in question…
…. People just want to be abelist.
…. People just want to be abelist.
Reposted by Jen
I will never for my entire life understand why people are so fucking hostile to the idea that a word they use is violent against disabled people and they shouldn’t say it
We remove racial slurs from our vocabulary easily. Slurs against disabled people are no different, you’re just lazy and ableist
We remove racial slurs from our vocabulary easily. Slurs against disabled people are no different, you’re just lazy and ableist
January 18, 2026 at 10:42 PM
I will never for my entire life understand why people are so fucking hostile to the idea that a word they use is violent against disabled people and they shouldn’t say it
We remove racial slurs from our vocabulary easily. Slurs against disabled people are no different, you’re just lazy and ableist
We remove racial slurs from our vocabulary easily. Slurs against disabled people are no different, you’re just lazy and ableist
Reposted by Jen
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
The Origins of the Word "Moron" Are Actually REALLY Sinister
It's much more than just a casual insult.
www.teenvogue.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:25 PM
I’m seeing increased use of this word and I just want to gently suggest that if there’s one word you can manage to remove from your vocabulary it should be this one.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
It was coined by a eugenicist who used it as a diagnosis to forcibly institutionalize and sterilize mentally disabled people.
Reposted by Jen
If you’ve said, “Wow, I wish this was around when I was a kid” please consider buying or gifting COLOR TASTE TEXTURE if you can, or asking your local library to acquire it if you lack funds. Sales tell publishers that books by #Autistic authors for a largely #ND audience are worth publishing.
I’m an Autistic classically trained chef and I wrote a food aversion acceptance cookbook and guide titled COLOR TASTE TEXTURE! It’s useful for all ages, with no cooking experience needed. Food doesn’t need to be a fight. Explore eating with insight, loving kindness, and gentle humor.
Color Taste Texture by Matthew Broberg-Moffitt: 9780593538593 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An accessible family cookbook that offers solutions rather than tricks to empower the food-averse, autistic, and picky eater, with 46 recipes. This much-needed cookbook combines tips and techniques.....
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:55 AM
I just wrote 'Disability News - January 17, 2026 '.
buttondown.com/jenrohrig/ar...
buttondown.com/jenrohrig/ar...
Disability News - January 17, 2026
Editor's Note: The disability community is increasingly preferring to use identity-first language (disabled person) in place of person-first language (person...
buttondown.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:05 PM
I just wrote 'Disability News - January 17, 2026 '.
buttondown.com/jenrohrig/ar...
buttondown.com/jenrohrig/ar...
Reposted by Jen
What's Up With COVID and What We Can Do About It: 2026 Edition
I've thoroughly updated this public health propaganda zine! With new information about:
Adjusting mask fit
CO2 monitoring
Improving ventilation for infection control
Read at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the thread below 👇
I've thoroughly updated this public health propaganda zine! With new information about:
Adjusting mask fit
CO2 monitoring
Improving ventilation for infection control
Read at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the thread below 👇
![[COVID zine front cover]
[bold, handwritten] What’s Up With COVID and What We Can Do About It: 2026 Edition
[Drawing of a person (me) with a shoulder-length shag haircut, wearing head-strap respirator mask a sweatshirt, carrying a Corsi-Rosenthal box (a DIY air purifier made with a box fan and furnace filters)]
[word balloon] clean the air, basically! By Hazel Newlevant
[COVID zine back cover]
[handwritten text, circled by a chain which is breaking on the bottom]
“Every chain of transmission that is broken is VALUABLE. Every person that doesn’t GET SICK, that doesn’t lose that WEEK OF WORK, that doesn’t become DISABLED or DIE, from the minorest of inconveniences, to the GREATEST of losses: every single one of those things is VALUABLE.” -Becca on DEATH PANEL podcast 2/16/23.
Print and distribute this zine yourself! Download a PDF here. [arrow pointing to the citations QR code]
[drawing of this zine, getting stapled with a long-arm stapler]
[Creative Commons license logo] CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Citations:
[QR code] newlevant.com/COVIDzine
[bold, handwritten] ALWAYS FREE](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:twccexjsbh6y2tyhysjrhc2v/bafkreicg6f3tsxzbhi6hesaqppsfaaidnee33exrrwoalyxyaihaxxdk3a@jpeg)
January 16, 2026 at 3:17 PM
What's Up With COVID and What We Can Do About It: 2026 Edition
I've thoroughly updated this public health propaganda zine! With new information about:
Adjusting mask fit
CO2 monitoring
Improving ventilation for infection control
Read at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the thread below 👇
I've thoroughly updated this public health propaganda zine! With new information about:
Adjusting mask fit
CO2 monitoring
Improving ventilation for infection control
Read at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the thread below 👇
Reposted by Jen
A lot of things are bad and we keep building joy in the cracks between. buttondown.com/signs+wonder...
New Year, New Book
Announcing MOTHER TONGUE, 5 totally free things you can do to support a new book, and mutual aid for MN
buttondown.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:28 PM
A lot of things are bad and we keep building joy in the cracks between. buttondown.com/signs+wonder...
VERY SOON I WILL BE THERE!
One more day of work before my weekend at Arisia - will be my first time going. I'm looking forward to checking things out. I'm grateful they are able to provide interpreters for Saturday/Sunday since I can't hear a thing through masks!
January 16, 2026 at 2:34 PM
VERY SOON I WILL BE THERE!
Reposted by Jen
George Floyd died in 2020, so the US said, "OMG! Racism is bad! We can change!"
In 2021, the US *talked about* some modest reforms.
In 2022 and 2023, white grievance against those reforms had reached fever pitch.
2024 saw record police funding, record cops killing Black people, and DEI rollback.🤷🏿♂️
In 2021, the US *talked about* some modest reforms.
In 2022 and 2023, white grievance against those reforms had reached fever pitch.
2024 saw record police funding, record cops killing Black people, and DEI rollback.🤷🏿♂️
January 16, 2026 at 12:32 PM
George Floyd died in 2020, so the US said, "OMG! Racism is bad! We can change!"
In 2021, the US *talked about* some modest reforms.
In 2022 and 2023, white grievance against those reforms had reached fever pitch.
2024 saw record police funding, record cops killing Black people, and DEI rollback.🤷🏿♂️
In 2021, the US *talked about* some modest reforms.
In 2022 and 2023, white grievance against those reforms had reached fever pitch.
2024 saw record police funding, record cops killing Black people, and DEI rollback.🤷🏿♂️
Reposted by Jen
It’s like they missed the whole point of the tension that Kirk was talking about in ST:VI.
They’re just afraid of new undiscovered countries. Afraid of change.
January 16, 2026 at 12:25 AM
It’s like they missed the whole point of the tension that Kirk was talking about in ST:VI.
Reposted by Jen
If you say, "police aren't allowed to murder civilians -- well, unless they HAVE to because they're afraid for their lives, of course" then what will happen is just that they will murder civilians and then say they were afraid for their lives about it.
Like. People can just say things?
Like. People can just say things?
January 15, 2026 at 2:35 PM
If you say, "police aren't allowed to murder civilians -- well, unless they HAVE to because they're afraid for their lives, of course" then what will happen is just that they will murder civilians and then say they were afraid for their lives about it.
Like. People can just say things?
Like. People can just say things?
One more day of work before my weekend at Arisia - will be my first time going. I'm looking forward to checking things out. I'm grateful they are able to provide interpreters for Saturday/Sunday since I can't hear a thing through masks!
January 14, 2026 at 10:11 PM
One more day of work before my weekend at Arisia - will be my first time going. I'm looking forward to checking things out. I'm grateful they are able to provide interpreters for Saturday/Sunday since I can't hear a thing through masks!
Reposted by Jen
This good-natured, 34-year-old, Muslim, immigrant man—who the Times bemoaned was too young and radical to “get anything done”—has accomplished more good governance in a *week* on the job than most liberal politicians accomplish in their whole careers. With a smile & a joyful heart. A blessing.
Last week, we announced a plan to make child care universal. Today, applications are open for pre-K & 3-K. If your child is turning 3 or 4, apply now for the fall at: myschools.nyc
January 14, 2026 at 9:59 PM
This good-natured, 34-year-old, Muslim, immigrant man—who the Times bemoaned was too young and radical to “get anything done”—has accomplished more good governance in a *week* on the job than most liberal politicians accomplish in their whole careers. With a smile & a joyful heart. A blessing.
Reposted by Jen
I am begging abled people to just take five seconds before posting and ask themselves whether they’re about to cheapen their point with ableist terms or concepts.
“Tone deaf” is one. Blindness as a metaphor for ignorance is another. And for gods’ sakes, stop calling people stupid and worse.
“Tone deaf” is one. Blindness as a metaphor for ignorance is another. And for gods’ sakes, stop calling people stupid and worse.
January 14, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I am begging abled people to just take five seconds before posting and ask themselves whether they’re about to cheapen their point with ableist terms or concepts.
“Tone deaf” is one. Blindness as a metaphor for ignorance is another. And for gods’ sakes, stop calling people stupid and worse.
“Tone deaf” is one. Blindness as a metaphor for ignorance is another. And for gods’ sakes, stop calling people stupid and worse.
Reposted by Jen
Case in point, COLOR TASTE TEXTURE has a slight texture to the cover. I’ve read two reviews from neurodivergent people who hate it so much they can’t touch it and make the claim that it’s proof it’s a bad book for ND folk.
But I’ve had dozens of ND people tell me it’s the bee’s knees and the best.
But I’ve had dozens of ND people tell me it’s the bee’s knees and the best.
The worst (i.e. hurtful) reviews for COLOR TASTE TEXTURE are the couple from people who say they are Autistic and didn’t out of it what they wanted, and make global statements that *no* neurodivergent person will find it useful.
A single person’s perception doesn’t define the sum of experience.
A single person’s perception doesn’t define the sum of experience.
Wow, color me shocked, 5000 angry autistic people because autistic Barbie doesn’t do or have the exact same things they do or have.
It’s almost like there is no one specific way to be autistic and autism doesn’t have a look.
It’s almost like there is no one specific way to be autistic and autism doesn’t have a look.
January 13, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Case in point, COLOR TASTE TEXTURE has a slight texture to the cover. I’ve read two reviews from neurodivergent people who hate it so much they can’t touch it and make the claim that it’s proof it’s a bad book for ND folk.
But I’ve had dozens of ND people tell me it’s the bee’s knees and the best.
But I’ve had dozens of ND people tell me it’s the bee’s knees and the best.