Nehma Vitols is rewriting fashion through care, time, and lived experience < Back Work, LGBTQIA+, Gender Meet the queer fashion designer who rejected hustle culture through couture Nehma Vitols is rewriting fashion through care, time, and lived experience MMS Staff 10 Apr 2026 7-min read “I’m building a fashion practice where garments carry lived experience, collaboration is structural, and time is treated as a material rather than a constraint,” says Nehma Vitols, the Australian fashion designer whose work is pushing back against the speed, image politics, and exhaustion that still define much of fashion. For Vitols, clothes are not just things to be worn or sold. They are vessels for labour, memory, place, and the realities people carry in their bodies. Vitols’ vision comes sharply into focus in Vintage 2025, her latest line and exhibition project, inspired by her wife’s work as a winemaker during grape harvest in regional Australia. Built from interviews with women winemakers in the Riverina, the project centres labour that is often overlooked, tracing the physical, emotional, and seasonal rhythms of their lives through garments, film, sound, and storytelling. More than a fashion collection, Vintage 2025 is a study of women’s work, endurance, and authorship, and of what happens when fashion chooses to listen before it speaks. Vitols says her clarity does not come from feeling at home in the industry. It comes from moving through it while constantly sensing where she did not fit. “I never really fit the mould the industry seemed to reward,” Vitols says. “I wasn’t skinny enough, pretty enough, or positioned within the kind of male queerness that was visibly celebrated, and authorship in a space that didn’t reflect me always felt uneasy.” She kept going anyway, but without ease. Even at university, where creative spaces are often imagined as open and collaborative, she found herself at odds with the culture around her. “I was prolific with my work, which became a point of tension rather than connection,” she says, describing peer relationships that often felt “competitive rather than collaborative.” I never really fit the mould the industry seemed to reward. I wasn’t skinny enough, pretty enough, or positioned within the kind of male queerness that was visibly celebrated That early unease stayed with her when she moved to London to try to make it in fashion. What the city revealed was not just the grind of creative ambition, but the class architecture beneath it. “It revealed how closely access is tied to pedigree,” she says. “On that side of the world, fashion operates as a profession for the already resourced.” For people without those buffers, the costs pile up quickly. “When you are underpaid, the cost of living forces you into additional work. Long hours in bars alongside full time creative labour quickly erode sleep and stability.” Eventually, that instability culminated in a severe psychosis episode. What followed was not just recovery, but a reset. Vitols had to rebuild her life around conditions the industry rarely treats as essential. “I had to build a life with foundations,” she says. “Sleep became non-negotiable. Medication, routine, and structure came first.” It changed the way she made work, too. “I now approach making slowly and deliberately. I chip away at it as a meditative process rather than forcing outcomes.” Creativity, once tied to depletion, became something steadier and more sustaining. That shift also forced her to draw lines the fashion world often treats as weakness. “The boundary I drew was refusing to operate at a pace that required self erasure,” she says. “I will not produce work that requires me to disappear in the process.” In practice, that means saying no to work that does not align with her values, and refusing a model of ambition built on silence, urgency, and collapse. “I do not separate wellbeing from rigour,” she says. “Care is the structure, not the compromise.” Those ideas run through Vintage 2025, her latest line, which takes its name and spirit from grape harvest season and from her wife’s work as a winemaker in regional Australia. The project began with something intimate and difficult to dress up. “My wife and I had recently married, and I became what we jokingly called a ‘Vintage Widow’,” Vitols says. During harvest, her wife worked long, demanding days across the week for four months straight. “I missed her deeply. I cried most days.” My wife and I had recently married, and I became what we jokingly called a ‘Vintage Widow’. During harvest, she worked long, demanding days across the week for four months straight. I missed her deeply. I cried most days. Wanting to better understand the work that was taking her wife away for months at a time, Vitols asked if she could visit the winery and photograph what harvest actually looked like. What she found opened the project outward. “What I saw was grit, precision, and extraordinary rigour,” she says. That experience also made her wonder how many other women were doing this work quietly across the region. “Wine is often romanticised, yet the Riverina is one of the most overlooked and under romanticised wine regions in the country,” she says. “Centreing women winemakers felt necessary because their labour, expertise, and endurance are foundational, yet rarely foregrounded.” That decision gave Vintage 2025 its shape. Built from interviews with women winemakers, the project draws directly from their lived experience. One of the strongest themes to emerge was the duality of the work itself. “Many of the women were drawn to winemaking through a balance of art and science,” Vitols says. “Technical precision sat alongside intuition, sensory memory, and judgement built over time.” She was especially struck by the women who were also mothers. “Several likened Vintage to having a newborn every year,” she says, describing a cycle of physical intensity, lack of sleep, and relentless expectation that they would continue to show up fully both at work and at home. Vitols calls each garment a “wearable archive,” and the phrase is more than metaphor. It is her design logic. “I think of the archive as layered rather than singular,” she says. “It holds memory, not as nostalgia but as something embodied and ongoing. It holds place as a condition shaped by climate, industry, distance, and rhythm. It holds labour, both visible and invisible.” In her hands, clothing does not merely reference experience. It stores it. “A seam can signal protection or tension. A print can function as an archive rather than decoration.” The garment, she says, “does not illustrate experience. It contains it.” A seam can signal protection or tension. A print can function as an archive rather than decoration. The garment does not illustrate experience, it contains it. That philosophy sets her apart from the mainstream fashion model, where speed is often treated as relevance and novelty as value. “Seasonal fashion is designed for replacement,” she says. “My work is designed for accumulation.” Instead of asking what is next, she asks what needs to be held. It is a small shift in language, but a major shift in politics. That politics extends beyond the garments themselves. Vintage 2025 was conceived not as a standard runway, but as a layered exhibition experience involving storytelling, film, and live sound. “Clothes were never going to be enough on their own,” Vitols says. “I wanted audiences to slow down and encounter the work through multiple entry points.” It is an approach that resists passive consumption and asks for something rarer now: attention. It also resists the myth of the solitary creative genius. Vintage 2025 intentionally spotlighted other local women creatives, including jewellery designer Kristy-Lee Agresta, makeup artist Lucinda Panarello, hair stylist Alison Matthews, and photographer Ginette Guidolin. “From the outset, Vintage 2025 was not about assembling contributors around a single author,” Vitols says. “It was about building a world shaped collectively, with visibility, agency, and credit intact.” That matters aesthetically, but also materially. “Resourcing and crediting women as co authors shifts power,” she says. “The work exists through collective labour rather than individual genius.” For Vitols, this is not a detour from fashion. It is the point of it. She wants the work to reach people who may never have seen themselves as a “fashion audience” at all, by bringing it into conversation with agriculture, craft, music, labour, and regional life. She designs for women who refuse the male gaze, for queer ways of looking, and for people who have built their lives through persistence rather than permission. She also sees Vintage 2025 not as a one-off collection, but as a model for what comes next. “I see Vintage 2025 as a framework rather than a singular event,” she says. There is something quietly radical in that idea. Not a brand chasing reinvention for its own sake, but a practice rooted in listening, trust, and time. In an industry still obsessed with acceleration, Vitols is making a case for another way forward. One where rest is not the enemy of ambition, where care sharpens rather than softens the work, and where clothing can do more than decorate a body. It can hold a life. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

The Netflix show wins big at the awards for tackling toxic masculinity and telling uncomfortable truths < Back Gender, Media, News 'Adolescence' star Owen Cooper just made Emmy history The Netflix show wins big at the awards for tackling toxic masculinity and telling uncomfortable truths MMS Staff 15 Sept 2025 5-min read At just 15 years old, Owen Cooper stood on the Emmy stage this week with tears in his eyes and disbelief in his voice. “Honestly, when I started these drama classes, I didn’t expect to be even in the United States, never mind here.” With that, Cooper made history as the youngest-ever winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series, recognised for his breakthrough role as Jamie in Netflix’s harrowing miniseries Adolescence. But what he and the show represent goes far beyond a single award. Adolescence - a bold, slow-burning, emotionally raw exploration of youth, violence, and masculinity - swept the 2025 Emmy Awards with an urgency that few television projects in recent memory have matched. In total, the series took home eight major awards, including: 🏆 Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series 🏆 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series (Stephen Graham) 🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actor (Owen Cooper) 🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty) 🏆 Outstanding Writing (Stephen Graham & Jack Thorne) 🏆 Outstanding Directing (Philip Barantini) 🏆 Outstanding Casting 🏆 Outstanding Cinematography Yet for all its cinematic finesse, Adolescence succeeds most by refusing to look away. One boy, one crime, one uncomfortable truth Adolescence opens with a news story that feels all too familiar: a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller, has been arrested for the murder of a female classmate. But this is not a whodunit. It’s not a mystery to be solved. It is an excavation - of shame, rejection, digital radicalization, and the dangerous stories boys are told about who they’re supposed to be. Filmed in just four episodes - each shot in one continuous take - Adolescence places viewers in a world where time stretches and implodes. There are no edits, no jump cuts, no breathers. The camera lingers as Jamie moves from classroom to interrogation room to youth detention facility. As he unravels, so does everything we assume about violence and vulnerability. What makes Cooper’s performance especially haunting is how ordinary he allows Jamie to be. There is no dramatisation, no villainous smirk. Just a boy - soft-featured, uncertain - failing to find his place in a world that offers few scripts outside dominance and denial. The quiet collapse of boyhood The series has been widely hailed as a masterclass in how storytelling can challenge societal myths, especially around toxic masculinity, online incel culture, and the emotional illiteracy that surrounds boys and men. But Adolescence does something rare: it focuses not just on the aftermath of violence, but the slow, daily drip that leads there. From Jamie’s desperation for acceptance to his inability to name feelings beyond anger or defensiveness, to the silent grooming of digital spaces that reward entitlement over empathy - the show becomes an indictment of how patriarchy raises boys, not just how it breaks them. “We didn’t want to excuse him. But we also didn’t want to throw him away,” said co-creator Stephen Graham in a post-Emmys interview. “What we’re showing is that these systems - family, school, internet - are shaping boys into something brittle and dangerous. And often, no one notices until it’s too late.” Holding boys responsible without dehumanizing them Crucially, Adolescence resists the temptation to turn trauma into spectacle. The girl who is killed is not voiceless. The women around Jamie - the forensic psychologist (played with quiet force by Erin Doherty), the female classmates, even the investigating officers - are not caricatures or moral anchors. They’re full people, navigating misogyny in their own right. The show never lets viewers forget that male violence is not an abstraction, but a wound that lands on bodies. And yet, it also doesn’t dehumanise Jamie. This is where the show’s radical empathy lies. It holds grief and accountability in the same breath. That, perhaps, is its most feminist gesture. Why this matters - especially now In 2025, Adolescence feels like a necessary rupture. Around the world, we are witnessing a surge in online extremism targeting boys and men. From the normalization of “red pill” influencers to real-world violence rooted in digital ideologies, the stakes are not hypothetical. They are fatal. In India, the UK, the US, and beyond, conversations around mental health, masculinity, neurodivergence, and social exclusion are gaining traction - and facing fierce backlash. For many young people, there is a painful familiarity in Jamie’s isolation. Many have felt the sting of being “too much” or “not enough,” of having emotions pathologised or dismissed. What Adolescence offers is not a solution, but a starting point: an honest, uncomfortable portrait of how boys are taught to harden. And what happens when they shatter. The power of firsts That all of this comes from a 15-year-old making his first on-screen appearance only adds to the gravity. Owen Cooper’s win is a reminder that talent does not need decades of polish to reveal truth - and that sometimes, young people are the best ones to tell stories about youth. His stillness, his silences, his barely-contained panic - they linger. They speak to a generation of boys caught between who they are and who they’re told to be. “This might have my name on it,” Cooper said, holding the gold statue in his hands, “but it really belongs to everyone who helped me see that stories matter.” What do we do with this story? Adolescence is not easy to watch. But that’s the point. It demands more than passive viewing. It asks us: How are we failing our boys? What happens when shame is louder than love? When the internet becomes a mirror, not a mentor? When emotional repression is rewarded more than repair? And: What kind of world might we build if we raise boys not to fear their softness, but to trust it? For educators, caregivers, advocates, and youth leaders, this is the kind of story that should be screened, studied, and discussed. Not just for its craft, but for its call. Because if we want fewer Jamies in the world, we need more Owens - and more storytelling that refuses to flinch. If this story moved you, share it with your community. Watch Adolescence. Talk to a young person in your life. Start the conversation. And keep it going. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

The actor shares how ADHD and autistic traits helped explain years of masking < Back Media, Neurodiversity, News How fame led Aimee Lou Wood to a life-changing diagnosis The actor shares how ADHD and autistic traits helped explain years of masking MMS Staff 9 Apr 2025 4-min read For many, fame is the destination. For Aimee Lou Wood, it was the turning point. Catapulted into the spotlight with her breakout role in Netflix’s Sex Education, and more recently earning praise for her nuanced performance in Season 3 of The White Lotus, Wood's ascent in the entertainment world has been steady, visible, and — as she now reveals — quietly overwhelming. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times’ Culture Magazine, the British actor shared a deeply personal revelation: she was diagnosed with ADHD and autistic traits several years ago, following her sudden rise to stardom. It’s a moment of vulnerability and clarity that offers a rare window into the hidden cost of fame — and the long journey to understanding one’s own neurodivergent mind. “I got diagnosed a few years ago with ADHD with autistic traits,” Wood said. “But then it's been advised that I should go for an autism assessment. They think that maybe it's autism that's leading the charge, and the ADHD is almost a by-product of the masking.” It’s a telling insight. Masking — the practice of consciously or unconsciously suppressing neurodivergent traits to appear more “typical” — is especially common among women and femmes on the spectrum. For many, it becomes a survival strategy that delays diagnosis and amplifies mental health challenges. For Wood, fame didn’t just accelerate her career — it shattered the mask she had so carefully constructed. I stay at home because I’m scared I can’t handle the overwhelm. While millions adored her onscreen openness as Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education, and rooted for her tender, grounded portrayal of Chelsea in The White Lotus, Wood herself was navigating something far more turbulent behind the scenes. She describes a tendency to avoid overstimulating social events — the afterparties, premieres, or even casual gatherings — not out of aloofness, but because they left her emotionally overloaded. I have resistance to the buzz. I'll stay at home and I won't go to the party because I'm scared that I can't handle my feelings of being overwhelmed. Now that I've started to let it in a bit more, it's like a bender: just do the thing, accept the tiredness, have fun and then process it later. This kind of emotional regulation — or the struggle with it — is a hallmark of both ADHD and autism, especially in people who have gone undiagnosed through childhood. For late-diagnosed women, it often gets mistaken for social anxiety or burnout, until a more holistic understanding of neurodivergence enters the picture. Fame, femininity, and the fight to feel safe in your body Wood also reflected on how sudden visibility reshaped her relationship with her body and identity. After a bold, now-iconic first scene in Sex Education — one that involved nudity and intimacy — the actress began to retreat from her own femininity. I look back and there was so much in the way that I started to desexualize myself. Sometimes you just want to put on a sexy dress and be a siren, but I denied myself that. It’s an experience many neurodivergent people — particularly women — will recognize: the instinct to shrink, blend in, avoid unwanted attention, or regulate how others perceive them. For someone in the public eye, those impulses are only magnified. Chelsea: A character who let her be fully herself Oddly enough, it was in The White Lotus, a show brimming with sharp satire and larger-than-life personalities, that Wood found her safest creative space. Her character Chelsea, the down-to-earth partner of Walton Goggins’ Rick, emerged as a fan favorite not because she commanded attention, but because she didn’t try to. In a resort full of posturing, Chelsea was refreshingly real — awkward, nerdy, unpolished — and that, Wood says, allowed her to drop the act. She's not cool, she's not poised, she's not posing like the others. She's just experiencing. So I can just unmask in a weird way. I actually felt more myself as Chelsea because she was the goofy, nerdy side of me that sometimes I try to suppress. Director Mike White, she says, embraced her rawness. “Don’t be afraid to be unlike everyone else,” he told her. “Unleash the freak.” When diagnosis brings relief, not restriction While Wood’s diagnosis is still evolving — with a full autism assessment pending — she’s already come to understand herself more clearly. The language, the framing, the self-compassion that a diagnosis can bring has given her a way to explain experiences that were previously shrouded in shame or confusion. It’s also a powerful reminder of how many late-diagnosed neurodivergent people — especially those assigned female at birth — go unnoticed until stress, visibility, or sudden life changes bring things to the surface. Wood’s honesty joins a growing wave of public figures, from actors to authors, who are reshaping how we see ADHD and autism — not as fixed checklists of symptoms, but as diverse, nuanced ways of experiencing the world. In an industry where appearances are curated and difference is often hidden, her story is a quiet rebellion. It’s a reminder that behind the glitz, many stars are still figuring themselves out — and that can be the most powerful performance of all. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Focus Friend helps reclaim attention in an AI-driven world < Back Neurodiversity, News YouTuber Hank Green’s wholesome productivity app hits #1 Focus Friend helps reclaim attention in an AI-driven world MMS Staff 4 Sept 2025 3-min read Last week, something unexpected happened on the App Store. ChatGPT, Google, Threads - all toppled from the top spot. What replaced them? A cozy productivity app where a tiny bean knits you socks if you manage to focus. It’s called Focus Friend, and it’s the brainchild of internet educator, author, and longtime YouTuber Hank Green, developed in collaboration with Boba Story creator Bria Sullivan. Billed as an “ADHD-friendly focus timer,” Focus Friend gamifies attention in a way that feels less like punishment and more like play. And this idea is resonating across the internet, especially with young, neurodivergent, and overwhelmed users craving relief from the pressures of always-on life. How it works: no guilt, just knitting The premise is simple. Set a timer. Don’t touch your phone. Your bean will keep knitting - socks, scarves, you name it. If you cave and check your notifications, the bean drops its needles and loses focus. Just like you. The app rewards consistent focus by letting users trade finished knit items for room decorations, furniture, or new outfits for their bean. Think Tamagotchi meets Pomodoro, with a sprinkle of serotonin. But beyond the game-like appeal, Focus Friend is doing something quietly radical: it’s offering a form of productivity that isn’t shame-based. There are no red Xs. No condescending nudges. No toxic metrics. Just a soft space for people who’ve been made to feel “lazy” or “distracted” all their lives. Designed for ADHD brains Hank Green hasn’t publicly claimed an ADHD diagnosis, but he’s spoken candidly about attention struggles in the past. “People often ask if I have ADHD and, look, I don’t know what I have but, honestly, whatever it is…I think it’s great,” he tweeted in 2021. In that spirit, Focus Friend isn’t limited to people with formal diagnoses. It’s for anyone who finds it hard to concentrate in a world that demands constant attention... and then sells that attention to the highest bidder. As Green explained in a TikTok: “The app is about giving people their time back. It’s about letting people be in control of their attention, not selling their attention to someone else.” No ads. No data collection. No pressure to perform. Instead, users get a quiet, charming space to practice focus, especially in the age of algorithmic doomscrolling and AI-generated everything. A wholesome revolution in a time of tech overload That Focus Friend shot to the top of the App Store, beating giants like ChatGPT, isn’t just a fluke. It’s a signal. We’re burnt out. We’re overstimulated. And we’re desperate for tech that feels human again. Amid the noise of hyper-productivity apps and AI-powered everything, Focus Friend offers a different kind of digital experience, one that’s rooted in care, slowness, and softness. Built on friendship, not extraction Much like Hank and John Green’s other ventures, from Crash Course to Vlogbrothers to VidCon, this app is powered by community not corporate funding. The app is free to use, with optional in-app purchases that allow users to support ongoing development. No paywalls. No subscriptions. Just choice. And for many users, that ethos feels like a breath of fresh air. In a follow-up TikTok, Green explained that while some suggested ads as a way to make money, he pushed back: “I didn’t really want to do that... This app is about helping people focus, not distracting them again.” Why this matters for Neurodivergent and Disabled communities For many neurodivergent folks, especially those with ADHD or executive functioning challenges, traditional productivity tools can feel hostile or defeating. Timers that scold. Task lists that judge. Gamified streaks that break with one bad day. Focus Friend offers a different narrative: you are not broken. Your brain is not the enemy. Focus can be gentle, goofy, and even joyful. That matters. Especially for young people navigating disability, neurodivergence, or just plain burnout in a post-pandemic, AI-saturated world. Attention is a precious thing. And Focus Friend reminds us that we deserve to protect it, not just from the noise of tech, but from the voices that tell us we’re not doing enough. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Empowering persons with disabilities through legal awareness < Back Right To Rights: Awareness to Action Empowering persons with disabilities through legal awareness The "Right to Rights" campaign was launched to mark World Disability Day 2022 , aiming to bridge the gap between the existing legal framework and the actual awareness and implementation of disability rights in India. Despite the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, many disabled individuals and the general population remain unaware of the rights and provisions stipulated in the Act. The campaign sought to educate, advocate for, and enable persons with disabilities to know their rights and have agency in their lives. Data & insights: secondary research, culture sweep, and social listening: Few states have fully implemented the RPwD Act, 2016 with many lagging in notifying state rules and taking necessary actions Government websites and online services often do not comply with accessibility standards, hindering access to essential services The mandated 4% reservation in government jobs for persons with disabilities is inconsistently implemented, with many posts remaining unfilled Employed individuals with disabilities face inadequate workplace accommodations, impacting productivity and inclusion Many educational institutions lack necessary infrastructure like ramps, accessible toilets, and learning materials There is a significant shortage of trained special educators Access to specialized healthcare is limited, especially in rural areas, with a shortage of medical professionals and rehabilitation services Healthcare facilities often lack accessibility, and healthcare professionals are not adequately trained to meet the needs of persons with disabilities There is a general lack of awareness about the RPwD Act among the public and officials, leading to poor enforcement Obtaining justice and enforcement of rights is slow, delaying the provision of benefits and services Comprehensive data on persons with disabilities is lacking, hampering effective policy-making and monitoring Inadequate mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the Act's implementation result in inconsistencies across states Our Approach: Our approach centered on leveraging multi-format and cross-platform content to reach a diverse audience, including policymakers, educators, employers, and the general public. We aimed to have data-driven stories lead the way in highlighting the gaps in the implementation of disability rights, and advocating for better awareness and enforcement of the law through informative and engaging content. Campaign objectives & goals: To educate persons with disabilities and the general population about the rights of disabled people as listed down under the RPwD Act, 2016 To start an ongoing campaign advocating for the proper implementation of disability rights To enable persons with disabilities to assert their rights and seek the necessary accommodations Challenges: Lack of awareness about disability rights among the general population and officials Inconsistent implementation of the RPwD Act across states Limited accessibility of online content and services Solutions devised: Target Audience: policymakers, educators, employers, government officials, and the general Indian public Narrative: focusing on personal stories and topics obtained through data-driven insights, and expert opinions to highlight the importance of disability rights and the gaps in their implementation Topicality: addressing key areas such as education, employment, accessibility, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of persons with disabilities Deliverables: 6 x social media posts 5 x social media reels Platforms: LinkedIn: to speak to professionals and policymakers Instagram and Facebook: to speak to a broad audience Length: The campaign ran for one month leading up to and following World Disability Day, 2022. Content was posted daily to maintain engagement and momentum. Impact: Views: 2 million+ views across platforms (with one reel crossing 1.3 million views, 3000+ shares and 250+ comments) Reach: 4 million+ Shares: 10k+ Engagement: Overwhelmingly positive comments, indicating a deep understanding and empathy towards the highlighted topics Virality: a reel on SRHR for women with disabilities went viral, significantly amplifying the campaign's reach Conclusion & learnings: Successfully raised awareness about disability rights and the RPwD Act, with a combined reach of 4 million+, enhancing public understanding and engagement through strategic content dissemination Multi-format, cross-platform strategies are effective in reaching diverse audiences and generating traction to impactful conversations Way Forward: Continue to create and share content that educates and advocates for disability rights, working with policymakers to ensure the full implementation of the RPwD Act across all states Fostering a community of advocates and allies who can support ongoing and future initiatives WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link Much much relate? 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Celebrating individuality and self-acceptance < Back Me As Me: Celebrating Self Acceptance Celebrating individuality and self-acceptance The "Me As Me" campaign was developed to address the pervasive marginalization and underrepresentation of neurodivergent and disabled individuals in media, workplaces, and society at large. The focus was on elevating voices from the South Asian context, particularly India, to showcase our lived experiences and challenging societal perceptions. The topics of navigating puberty, self-identity, dating, and entrepreneurship were chosen due to their critical importance in the lives of young neurodivergent and disabled individuals, areas often fraught with unique challenges and societal stigma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTp-nehzdA Relevant data & insights: Women with disabilities hold only 2.3% of decision-making positions globally Disabled women face a significantly higher risk of violence compared to non-disabled women. Autistic teenagers experience heightened sensory sensitivities and social interaction difficulties, increasing the risk of bullying. ADHD teenagers struggle with impulse control and emotional regulation during puberty. Individuals with autism find romantic relationships challenging due to difficulties with social cues and communication. Autistic women often engage in masking behaviors , leading to increased stress and mental health issues. Disabled entrepreneurs face barriers such as limited access to funding and societal stigma , which hinder business growth. Our approach: We aimed to provide an authentic platform for neurodivergent and disabled individuals to share their stories, emphasizing their strengths, challenges, and aspirations. The campaign was structured to create a multi-format, cross-platform narrative that would engage a diverse audience and foster greater understanding and empathy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peMN_JW1ztg Campaign objective & goals: To raise awareness about the challenges faced by neurodivergent and disabled individuals. Promote better support systems for disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs Increase representation of neurodivergent individuals in media and workplaces. Educate parents, teachers, and caregivers on the needs of neurodivergent youth during puberty. Challenges: Ensuring authentic representation of diverse experiences. Addressing societal stigma and misconceptions. Reaching and engaging a wide, diverse audience. Solutions devised: Target audience: young adults on the neurodiversity spectrum or identifying as neurodivergent, caregivers, educators, parents, caregivers, business leaders, investors, and the general public. Narrative: centered around lived experiences, the narrative was designed to be both educational and empathetic. Topicality: focused on timely and relevant issues such as identity, mental health, friendships, love, dating, and entrepreneurship, and released around Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Deliverables: Short documentary films x 2: 'Unmasking Autism' and 'Entrepreneurs with Autism, ADHD & Down Syndrome'. Ancillary assets: 5+ x reels 10+ x carousel posts 15+ x stories Platforms: YouTube: For broad reach and accessibility. LinkedIn: Targeting professionals and business leaders. Instagram & Facebook: Engaging a wider, younger audience through visual storytelling. Length: The campaign ran for over 3 months, with continuous engagement and content updates to maintain traction and visibility. Impact: Views: 500,000+ Reach: 1 million+ across social platforms. Engagement: 1k+ shares , 500+ comments highlighting empathy and understanding. Reception: Overwhelmingly positive, praised for authentic portrayals and sensitivity. Media & Ancillary Extensions: “Unmasking Autism” was screened at the Pride Filmtage Bremen Film Festival in Germany, 2023. The campaign was featured in a half-page article in the popular Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day. Learnings: The campaign successfully met its objectives of raising awareness and fostering empathy among its intended audience. Challenges were effectively addressed through thoughtful storytelling and strategic dissemination of multi-format content. Continuous engagement and authentic representation were key to the campaign’s success. Way forward: Expanding the campaign to include more stories and voices from the neurodivergent and disabled communities. Developing additional educational resources for parents, educators, and employers. Continuing to foster partnerships with organizations to support inclusive practices and policies. Exploring new platforms and media formats to reach an even broader audience. By creating a platform for neurodivergent and disabled individuals to share their stories, the 'Me As Me' campaign has taken a significant step towards inclusivity and representation. The continued efforts will aim to build on this foundation, driving further change and awareness. WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link Much much relate? Share it now! < Back CAMPAIGNS

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India's Gen Z voters rank climate change as a top priority, yet political parties fall short on delivering substantial solutions. < Back Climate, Neurodiversity Election 2024: Why climate change tops the agenda for India's youth India's Gen Z voters rank climate change as a top priority, yet political parties fall short on delivering substantial solutions. Aditi Gangrade 18 May 2024 5-min read As an Indian Gen-Z neurodivergent woman and filmmaker dedicated to social impact stories, I find it imperative to address the urgent concerns of my generation regarding climate change. For 18 million young Indians voting for the first time, climate change is not just a buzzword but a pressing societal issue. According to a Deloitte survey, climate change ranks as the third most important concern for these young voters. This prioritization reflects a profound awareness of the environmental crises that our nation faces. India, with over 80% of its population residing in districts vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, is at a critical juncture. The World Bank warns of rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, declining groundwater levels, retreating glaciers, and severe cyclones. These changes threaten livelihoods, food security, and our economy. The adverse effects are already evident, with more than 9 million people suffering due to climate change, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Rising temperatures disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including low-income families, disabled and neurodivergent individuals, and rural populations. These groups often lack the resources to adapt to extreme weather conditions, resulting in heightened vulnerability. For instance, neurodivergent people may experience increased sensory sensitivities and mental health challenges due to extreme heat, exacerbating existing difficulties. Despite the glaring reality, climate change has scarcely made a mark in election campaigns over the years. Reviewing the 2024 election manifestos, we see a lack of substantial commitment. The Congress manifesto mentions “climate” ten times and includes a dedicated section on “Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Management.” In contrast, the BJP’s ‘Modi Ki Guarantee 2024’ references it just four times. Both parties propose measures such as Namami Gange, Clean Air Programme, Green Credit, and E-waste management from the BJP, and redefining forest cover and stopping toxic discharges into rivers from Congress. However, these steps are insufficient given the scale of the crisis. Climate activists echo this sentiment. Debasree Das, a Mumbai-based climate activist, highlights the unsustainable practices of the fashion industry, noting that 87% of clothing, equivalent to 40 million tons annually, ends up in landfills. She calls for a revolutionary approach to make the fashion industry more sustainable and reduce waste, as per TOI. Poornima Sai, a 22-year-old climate activist, underscores the need for better urban planning to prevent environmental degradation. Recent landslides in Joshimath and Uttarkashi are stark reminders of the consequences of neglect. Moreover, noise pollution and population control are critical concerns for Gen Z voters, yet they find little mention in party manifestos. The silence on these issues is deafening, especially when they directly impact our quality of life. Our generation is demanding more than token gestures; we seek comprehensive policies and concrete actions. Here are some suggestions from Gen Z voters on climate action: Implement Strict Regulations on Industrial Pollution: Enforce stringent laws to curb emissions from factories and promote cleaner production methods. Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Encourage farming practices that conserve water, reduce pesticide use, and enhance soil health. Invest in Renewable Energy: Increase funding for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Enhance Public Transportation: Develop efficient and eco-friendly public transport systems to reduce the carbon footprint from vehicles. Raise Environmental Awareness: Implement educational programs to inform citizens about the importance of sustainability and how they can contribute. Strengthen Disaster Management Systems: Improve early warning systems and disaster response mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate-induced disasters. Ensuring timely evacuation and providing adequate relief can save lives and reduce suffering. Support Reforestation Projects: Launch large-scale tree planting drives and protect existing forests to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Engaging local communities in these projects can ensure their success and sustainability. Improve Waste Management: Develop robust recycling programs and promote the use of biodegradable materials to reduce landfill waste. Implementing strict regulations on plastic use and enhancing municipal waste collection can help manage urban waste more effectively. Encourage Green Building Practices: Promote the construction of energy-efficient buildings through incentives and regulations. Incorporating green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-saving technologies can make urban infrastructure more sustainable. Foster International Collaboration: Collaborate with other nations to share knowledge, technology, and resources for tackling climate change. Participating in global climate initiatives and honoring international agreements can enhance India's climate resilience. As a neurodivergent individual, I often experience heightened sensitivity to environmental changes. The rising temperatures and increasing frequency of natural disasters affect not just physical health but mental well-being too. Climate change exacerbates stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, making it even more urgent for leaders to act decisively. At Much Much Spectrum, our mission is to make social impact stories accessible and engaging. We believe in amplifying the voices of those affected by climate change and advocating for meaningful change. It’s time for political parties to align with the priorities of Gen Z voters and demonstrate a real commitment to combating climate change. Our future depends on it. What are the climate change policy reforms you want parties to address? Tell us in the comments Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Sophie Morgan’s film - Fight to Fly - to come out on Channel 4 July 22 < Back Disability, News, Media New documentary on issues faced by disabled air travellers Sophie Morgan’s film - Fight to Fly - to come out on Channel 4 July 22 MMS Staff 19 Jul 2024 2-min read British TV presenter Sophie Morgan’s documentary on the issues faced by disabled people - particularly those with restricted mobility - when travelling by flights is set to release July 22 at 9 pm BST on Channel 4. The film - chronicling the experiences of multiple disabled travellers - follows Morgan as she campaigns for more awareness and sensitivity toward disabled people using mobility devices such as wheelchairs to travel by air. Morgan’s mission to make air travel equitable for all started early last year when, on a flight back from USA to the UK, her carrier damaged her wheelchair. At the time, her social media posts about the incident went viral , prompting her to start a campaign that is now called Rights On Flights. Asked what kinds of problems disabled people often face on flights, Morgan said: “It starts from the minute you book: sometimes airlines can be really difficult and refuse you travel if your wheelchair is a certain height, or a certain width, or over a certain weight, or if your battery is a certain size. And that's if the website is particularly accessible digitally anyway — this is not just about wheelchair users, there are problems across the board for all types of people, with different types of disabilities.” While the documentary itself chronicles experiences ranging all the way from people having to drag themselves to the aircraft toilet to others having to starve and dehydrate themselves while on board to yet others whose mobility aids have suffered damage. Morgan points out that it’s not even necessarily only the fault of the staff being under-trained - the entire system is, in fact, ableist. India, too, is fighting the good fight against ableism in air travel. Last year, on a flight to Mumbai from Delhi, activist Virali Modi was left behind in an aeroplane for almost 40 minutes after all other passengers had deplaned. The campaign has seen Morgan visit Downing Street as well as the White House, calling for better legislation to ensure a better air travel experience for people with disabilities. As for the documentary, it covers the campaign from the beginning, the reason for its establishment, Morgan’s aims and goals, as well as the harrowing journeys of other wheelchair users, who have gone undercover and filmed their experiences for the purpose of the film. “I'm delighted that (the campaign) was successful, but I'm gutted that it happened — it's quite shocking what we uncover, but in many ways it's not shocking. Every time these stories come out, the non-disabled community kind of go 'oh my gosh, that is shocking, I had no idea' and we're like 'we're trying to tell you! This happens to us all the time!’ Morgan said. Ever since starting the campaign, Morgan adds, some airlines have taken note while others still haven’t. “I hope the airline industry sits up and takes notice, I hope they realise that we aren't going anywhere, that they have to meet the problems head-on. There's a real opportunity here for an airline to lead the way and be better, and I can't wait for that airline to really step up and embrace that.” Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

What soaring temperatures, health issues, and systemic neglect can do to those on the margins < Back Climate, Disability, Health Navigating disability, domestic violence & climate crisis in a Delhi slum What soaring temperatures, health issues, and systemic neglect can do to those on the margins Puneet Singh Singhal 20 Jun 2024 5-min read In the narrow, winding lanes of a Delhi slum, where the sun is relentless and the ground is scorched, a story unfolds — one that many will find hard to grasp let alone endure. I grew up in these sweltering corners, living with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and a stammer, all while being the lifeline for my chronically ill mother. We’ve survived domestic violence, yes, but we’re also survivors of an increasingly hostile world — socially, environmentally, and mentally. When environmental crises devastate lives You may read about the heatwaves or monsoon floods, but do you feel them? Can you feel the sweat trickling down your spine as you desperately search for a drop of water? Can you sense the despair, almost tangible, as you watch your mother’s health deteriorate with each passing minute? Living through a Delhi heatwave, in a fragile home with no escape from the oppressive heat, feels like being trapped in an oven. The sun becomes an unforgiving foe, and the air turns into a suffocating shroud. During one unbearable summer, our neighbourhood faced an acute water crisis. Imagine being parched but having not a single drop to drink. Every breath became a laborious task; each moment felt endless. My mother’s existing health issues worsened terribly. Dehydration ravaged her body, while her chronic ailments flared up with newfound intensity. As for me, the heatwaves weren’t just a weather event; they were a neurological, physiological, and psychological disaster. My dyspraxia symptoms intensified, making everyday tasks — like lifting a glass of water — an exhausting struggle. The constant stress and anxiety from watching my mother suffer and feeling helpless to alleviate her pain took a severe toll on my mental health, leading to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Dealing with a broken healthcare system When you’re fighting to save a loved one’s life while also grappling with disabilities, every second feels like an eternity. The journey to the hospital was a nightmare. Public hospitals were our only hope, but they were dreadful. Doctors and nurses did their best but were woefully under-equipped to handle the flood of patients. Can you fathom the helplessness I felt when I stammered while trying to explain my mother’s rapidly worsening condition? Time and again, I was met with impatient stares or pitying glances, neither of which helped our dire situation. The agony of being trapped in that atmosphere — where you’re just a number, a statistic — is indescribable. The urgent need for climate-resilient, inclusive healthcare Here’s the gut-wrenching truth: if healthcare infrastructure continues to ignore the heightened vulnerabilities of people with disabilities, we’re not just failing as a society; we’re perpetuating suffering and loss. Our healthcare systems need to be fortified with climate-resilient policies and infrastructures. Wheelchair ramps and Braille signage aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities. Doctors need training to understand the unique challenges that environmental disasters pose to individuals with disabilities. It’s not just about ramps and signs; it’s about creating a space where the most vulnerable can feel safe, especially when the world outside is falling apart. Statistics highlighting the impact According to a 2021 climate report heat waves will last 25 times longer 2036 through 2065 in India if emissions push towards a global temperature rise of 4°C under business-as-usual global emission scenarios. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reports that annual heat-related mortality of people older than 65 years is projected to increase by 370% above 1995 – 2014 levels by 2041 – 60 under a scenario compatible with limiting global temperature rise to 2°C, and by 433% under a scenario in which no further mitigation occurs, assuming no further adaptation. By 2081 – 2100, these mortality levels are projected to increase by 683% and 1537% for the two scenarios, respectively. According to this Indian Express article, in Delhi, the world is most likely to temporarily breach the 1.5 degree Celsius limit in the next five years. Each year between 2024 and 2028 is predicted to be between 1.1 degree Celsius and 1.9 degree Celsius higher than the pre-industrial average. Specific healthcare system gaps The public healthcare system in Delhi, and much of India, is severely underfunded. Hospitals often lack essential medical supplies and have insufficient staff to handle patient inflows. For people with disabilities, the challenges are even more pronounced. There are limited provisions for accessible healthcare facilities, and medical staff often lack training in disability-inclusive practices. For instance, during our hospital visits, we encountered long waiting times and inadequate attention to my mother's specific health needs. The lack of air conditioning in many public hospitals exacerbates heat stress for patients and staff alike. Moreover, the absence of accessible communication tools, such as sign language interpreters or text-to-speech devices, creates additional barriers for people with disabilities. Concrete steps for addressing healthcare gaps Investment in infrastructure: Increase funding for public healthcare to improve infrastructure, ensuring hospitals are equipped to handle extreme weather conditions. This includes air conditioning, adequate water supply, and accessible facilities. Training for healthcare professionals: Implement comprehensive training programs for healthcare workers on disability-inclusive practices and climate resilience. Accessible communication: Develop and deploy accessible communication tools in hospitals, such as sign language interpreters and text-to-speech devices, to aid patients with disabilities. Community outreach: Establish community health programs to educate residents about coping mechanisms during extreme weather events and to provide first-response medical aid. Potential measures for climate action Urban planning: Develop urban areas with better heat mitigation strategies, such as green spaces, reflective roofing, and improved water management systems. Early warning systems: Enhance early warning systems for heatwaves and floods to give vulnerable communities ample time to prepare and evacuate if necessary. Sustainable practices: Promote sustainable agricultural and industrial practices to reduce the urban heat island effect and ensure a stable water supply. Policy advocacy: Advocate for policies that prioritise climate resilience in healthcare planning and funding. More than just numbers Statistics can be cold and detached, but stories like mine are filled with raw emotion. The vulnerability, the desperation, the feeling of being caught in an unending cycle of despair — they bring a certain urgency that numbers alone cannot. So here it is, a candid snapshot of what it’s like to live at the devastating intersection of disability and climate-induced healthcare challenges. It’s a cry from the depths of my soul and from the hearts of countless others, who, like my mother and me, are battling more than just social and economic disparities. As we desperately seek solutions for climate change, let’s remember that the first step towards true climate justice is acknowledging and acting upon the exacerbated healthcare challenges faced by the disabled and vulnerable. Let’s strive to build healthcare ecosystems where no one is left to suffer, simply because of who they are or where they come from. The battles we fight today go beyond us; they’re a plea to humanity to wake up, take notice, and act — before it’s too late. Puneet Singh is a disability inclusion advocate and an accessibility professional. He is a person with dyslexia, dyspraxia and stammering. He is the co-founder of Billion Strong, curator of Green Disability and a Bevisioneers fellow. Connect with him on LinkedIn . Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS