Explore diverse perspectives on gender identity and expression, connect with the community, and celebrate inclusivity. Personal stories, community wisdom. Gender Read more Dua Lipa opens library in Portugal with 100 banned and censored books The singer's latest literary initiative celebrates books that challenge censorship, power, and silence 2 August 2026 3-min read Read more Manosphere content is teaching young boys to hate women offline Online misogyny is moving from boys’ feeds into classrooms, homes and real-life attitudes 11 June 2026 4-min read Read more In Germany, bronze female statues expose sexual harassment A nonprofit turns public statues into evidence of harassment and women’s safety 9 June 2026 3-minute read Read more Meet the queer fashion designer who rejected hustle culture through couture Nehma Vitols is rewriting fashion through care, time, and lived experience 10 April 2026 7-min read Read more Paris Hilton, AOC push DEFIANCE Act against AI deepfakes As Grok “undressing” spreads, Hilton and Ocasio-Cortez urge Congress to allow survivors to sue 28 January 2026 4-min read Read more Heated Rivalry and the revolution of queer softness A queer hockey romance wasn’t supposed to be a hit — until it was 13 January 2026 5-min read Read more Why more women are choosing single over settling In 2025, singlehood isn’t a failure or a phase. It’s a clear, intentional choice for peace and autonomy 4 January 2026 6-min read Read more 'Adolescence' star Owen Cooper just made Emmy history The Netflix show wins big at the awards for tackling toxic masculinity and telling uncomfortable truths 15 September 2025 5-min read Read more "It should be illegal to work on your period," says supermodel Bella Hadid Diagnosed with endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS, Hadid says she wants real change in workplace policies 29 May 2025 2-min read Read more This blind tailor in Bihar has trained 300+ women for free With no govt support and just ₹400 a month, Faken Shah is building self-reliance in rural India’s women 28 May 2025 3-min read Read more The truth behind Adolescence, Netflix's new crime drama A show about murder, misogyny, and the men our boys are becoming 7 April 2025 3-min read Read more The power of music - my path to self-discovery and healing On International Music Day, Swara shares how music shaped her life & inspired her mission to heal others 1 October 2024 3-min read < Back Load more

Stay informed with the latest news and updates on social justice, health, education, and more. Personal stories, community wisdom. News Read more Dua Lipa opens library in Portugal with 100 banned and censored books The singer's latest literary initiative celebrates books that challenge censorship, power, and silence 2 August 2026 3-min read Read more Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s no 1 album came with a hidden OCD story The Great Divide came with a diagnosis that, Noah says, changed how he understood his mind 13 June 2026 3-min read Read more Manosphere content is teaching young boys to hate women offline Online misogyny is moving from boys’ feeds into classrooms, homes and real-life attitudes 11 June 2026 4-min read Read more In Germany, bronze female statues expose sexual harassment A nonprofit turns public statues into evidence of harassment and women’s safety 9 June 2026 3-minute read Read more Paris Hilton, AOC push DEFIANCE Act against AI deepfakes As Grok “undressing” spreads, Hilton and Ocasio-Cortez urge Congress to allow survivors to sue 28 January 2026 4-min read Read more How the Golden Globes Became a Quiet Feminist Moment in Hollywood From wins to recognition, the 83rd Golden Globes revealed shifts in who Hollywood celebrates, and why it matters 15 January 2026 4-min read Read more 'Adolescence' star Owen Cooper just made Emmy history The Netflix show wins big at the awards for tackling toxic masculinity and telling uncomfortable truths 15 September 2025 5-min read Read more Selena Gomez just showed the beauty of accessibility. Are brands listening? Rare Beauty’s new fragrance bottle was designed to look good - and be used by more people 13 September 2025 3-min read Read more Disability-led stories win big at the Emmys Love, disability, and representation took center stage at 2025's Creative Arts Emmys 9 September 2025 3-min read Read more Spider-Man star Tom Holland talks ADHD and dyslexia Inside a superhero’s brain: chaos, creativity, and care 9 September 2025 3-min read Read more GST is simpler now, but living with a disability in India remains costly GST 2.0 still taxes assistive devices, accessibility, and disabled live 5 September 2025 3-min read Read more YouTuber Hank Green’s wholesome productivity app hits #1 Focus Friend helps reclaim attention in an AI-driven world 4 September 2025 3-min read < Back Load more

Join the vibrant Much Much Spectrum community! Diverse voices spark meaningful conversations. Personal stories, community wisdom. Community Read more Why Gen Z feels so alone Ira Khan tells Much Much Media why Gen-Z is the loneliest generation ever 7 January 2026 5-min read Read more Why more women are choosing single over settling In 2025, singlehood isn’t a failure or a phase. It’s a clear, intentional choice for peace and autonomy 4 January 2026 6-min read Read more Dateability puts disabled love at the center Built by sisters, this app makes dating honest, safer and dignified for disabled folx 1 January 2026 4-min read Read more How this community is ending isolation for Neurodivergent youth This mother is paving the way for neurodiversity inclusion 14 January 2025 4-min read Read more If you’re thinking of disclosing your autism, read this first The global autistic community shares the good and bad sides of autism disclosure 5 July 2024 5-min read Read more The significance of Pride for neurodivergent LGBTQIA people This Pride month, our community reflects on embracing both neurodivergence and queerness 21 June 2024 3-min read Read more The men's health issues that aren't talked about This men’s health week, our community addresses men’s health, fertility issues & toxic masculinity 17 June 2024 3-min read Read more Best responses to - “But you don’t look autistic” The global autistic community shares how they respond to dismissive and ableist comments 8 June 2024 5-min read < Back Load more

Explore journeys in health and wellness. Find support for mental health, chronic conditions, and self-care. Personal stories, community wisdom. Health Read more Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s no 1 album came with a hidden OCD story The Great Divide came with a diagnosis that, Noah says, changed how he understood his mind 13 June 2026 3-min read Read more In Germany, bronze female statues expose sexual harassment A nonprofit turns public statues into evidence of harassment and women’s safety 9 June 2026 3-minute read Read more Why Gen Z feels so alone Ira Khan tells Much Much Media why Gen-Z is the loneliest generation ever 7 January 2026 5-min read Read more Michael Phelps’ journey with ADHD and suicide prevention Even the greatest Olympian isn’t immune to mental health struggles 10 September 2025 3-min read Read more GST is simpler now, but living with a disability in India remains costly GST 2.0 still taxes assistive devices, accessibility, and disabled live 5 September 2025 3-min read Read more “In 27 Years, I’ve Never Seen My Mother Cry”: Ira Khan Ira reflects on parenting, mental health, and emotional silences in Indian homes 5 August 2025 4-min read Read more Why India’s 2026 Census could be a turning point for disability rights After 14 years, India’s Census is finally catching up with its disabled population 9 June 2025 4-min read Read more "It should be illegal to work on your period," says supermodel Bella Hadid Diagnosed with endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS, Hadid says she wants real change in workplace policies 29 May 2025 2-min read Read more Mark Ruffalo reveals terrifying dream that turned out to be true The actor reflects on overcoming health challenges just before becoming a father 30 September 2024 2-min read Read more Blind women from India revolutionising early breast cancer detection The Discovering Hands program is a sureshot game changer in breast cancer screening 18 September 2024 4-min read Read more Athletes who sought mental health help & bounced back for the Olympics More sports personalities opening up about mental health struggles shows it can happen to anyone 30 July 2024 5-min read Read more Celine Dion makes grand comeback at Paris Olympics opening ceremony The singer, diagnosed in 2022 with Stiff Person Syndrome, teared up belting out an Edith Piaf classic 29 July 2024 2-min read < Back Load more

DIscover stories about media representation and inclusion, and support & resources through the power of lived experience. Personal stories, community wisdom. Media View More Manosphere content is teaching young boys to hate women offline Online misogyny is moving from boys’ feeds into classrooms, homes and real-life attitudes 11 June 2026 4-min read View More Paris Hilton, AOC push DEFIANCE Act against AI deepfakes As Grok “undressing” spreads, Hilton and Ocasio-Cortez urge Congress to allow survivors to sue 28 January 2026 4-min read View More How the Golden Globes Became a Quiet Feminist Moment in Hollywood From wins to recognition, the 83rd Golden Globes revealed shifts in who Hollywood celebrates, and why it matters 15 January 2026 4-min read View More Heated Rivalry and the revolution of queer softness A queer hockey romance wasn’t supposed to be a hit — until it was 13 January 2026 5-min read View More 'Adolescence' star Owen Cooper just made Emmy history The Netflix show wins big at the awards for tackling toxic masculinity and telling uncomfortable truths 15 September 2025 5-min read View More Disability-led stories win big at the Emmys Love, disability, and representation took center stage at 2025's Creative Arts Emmys 9 September 2025 3-min read View More Spider-Man star Tom Holland talks ADHD and dyslexia Inside a superhero’s brain: chaos, creativity, and care 9 September 2025 3-min read View More BTS’ Jungkook opens up about his ADHD on livestream The confession has raised bigger questions about how we treat neurodivergent people 2 September 2025 4-min read View More What Is Vitiligo? Creators who show the world it’s nothing to hide From actor Vijay Varma to model Winnie Harlow, meet the artists using their skin as a canvas, not a flaw 25 June 2025 5-min read View More How fame led Aimee Lou Wood to a life-changing diagnosis The actor shares how ADHD and autistic traits helped explain years of masking 9 April 2025 4-min read View More Holiday movies & shows with disability portrayal you must watch Here's your list of heartwarming tales of inclusion for the holidays 26 December 2024 3-min read View More Disney pulls transgender storyline from Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’ Trans youth representation: what this means for the industry 19 December 2024 3-min read < Back Load more

Much Much Spectrum explores personal journeys on health, education, inclusion & social justice. Find community now. Filter by Tags Climate Community Disability Education Gender Health Hindi LGBTQIA+ Media Neurodiversity News Parenting Work News, Gender, Education Dua Lipa opens library in Portugal with 100 banned and censored books 2 August 2026 3-min read Health, Neurodiversity, News Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s no 1 album came with a hidden OCD story 13 June 2026 3-min read Gender, News, Media Manosphere content is teaching young boys to hate women offline 11 June 2026 4-min read Gender, Health, News In Germany, bronze female statues expose sexual harassment 9 June 2026 3-minute read Work, LGBTQIA+, Gender Meet the queer fashion designer who rejected hustle culture through couture 10 April 2026 7-min read Gender, Media, News Paris Hilton, AOC push DEFIANCE Act against AI deepfakes 28 January 2026 4-min read Disability, Education, Neurodiversity South Korean school makes yearbooks blind students can touch, feel 19 January 2026 4-min read Media, News How the Golden Globes Became a Quiet Feminist Moment in Hollywood 15 January 2026 4-min read Gender, LGBTQIA+, Media Heated Rivalry and the revolution of queer softness 13 January 2026 5-min read Community, Health, Parenting Why Gen Z feels so alone 7 January 2026 5-min read Community, Gender Why more women are choosing single over settling 4 January 2026 6-min read Disability, Neurodiversity, Community Dateability puts disabled love at the center 1 January 2026 4-min read Gender, Media, News 'Adolescence' star Owen Cooper just made Emmy history 15 September 2025 5-min read Disability, News Selena Gomez just showed the beauty of accessibility. Are brands listening? 13 September 2025 3-min read Neurodiversity, Health Michael Phelps’ journey with ADHD and suicide prevention 10 September 2025 3-min read < Back Load more

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If you’re following the Paralympics 2024 as closely as us, you’ll want to keep this handy < Back Disability, News Team India’s schedule at the Paralympics 2024 If you’re following the Paralympics 2024 as closely as us, you’ll want to keep this handy MMS Staff 27 Aug 2024 9-min read Get ready to cheer for Team India at the Paris Paralympics 2024! If you're excited to follow every thrilling moment, we've got you covered with the full schedule—perfect for keeping track of when to tune in and support our incredible athletes. August 30 13:30 - Women’s Discus Throw F55 Final - Karam Jyoti, Sakshi Kasana 14:00 - Women’s 100m T35 Round 1 - Preethi Pal 16:39 - Women’s 100m T35 Round 1 Final - Preethi Pal* 00:20 - Men’s Shot Put F37 Final - Manu August 31 22:30 - Men’s Javelin Throw F57 Final - Parveen Kumar September 1 13:40 - Women’s 1500m T11 Round 1 - Rakshitha Raju 15:09 - Men’s Shot Put F40 Final - Ravi Rongali 22:58 - Men’s High Jump T47 Final - Ram Pal, Nishad Kumar 23:08 - Women’s 200m T35 Final - Preethi Pal September 2 13:35 - Men’s Discus Throw F56 Final - Yogesh Kathuniya 13:40 - Women’s 1500m T11 Final - Rakshitha Raju* 22:30 - Men’s Javelin Throw F64 Final - Sumit Antil, Sandeep, Sandip Sanjay Sargar 22:34 - Women’s Discus Throw F53 Final - Kanchan Lakhani 23:50 - Women’s 400m T20 Round 1 - Deepthi Jeevanji 00:10 - Men’s Javelin Throw F46 Final - Ajeet Singh, Rinku, Sundar Singh Gurjar September 3 14:26 - Women’s Shot Put F34 Final - Bhagyashri Madhavrao Jadhav 22:38 - Women’s 400m T20 Final - Deepthi Jeevanji* 23:40 - Men’s High Jump T63 Final - Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, Sharad Kumar September 4 13:35 - Men’s Shot Put F46 Final - Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Mohd. Yasser, Rohit Kumar 15:16 - Women’s Shot Put F46 Final - Amisha Rawat 22:50 - Men’s Club Throw F51 Final - Dharambir, Amit Kumar, Pranav Soorma 23:00 - Women’s 100m T12 Round 1 - Simran September 5 15:10 - Women’s 100m T12 Semifinal - Simran* 22:47 - Women’s 100m T12 Final - Simran* 23:49 - Men’s Shot Put F35 - Arvind September 6 13:39 - Women’s 200m T12 Round 1 - Simran 14:08 - Men’s Javelin Throw F54 - Dipesh Kumar 14:47 - Men’s 400m T47 Round 1 - Dilip Mahadu Gavit 15:18 - Men’s High Jump T64 Final - Praveen Kumar 22:30 - Men’s Shot Put F57 Final - Soman Rana, Hokato Hotozhe Sema 22:48 - Women’s Javelin Throw F46 Final - Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary 23:10 - Women’s 200m T12 Semifinal - Simran* September 7 22:30 - Men’s Javelin Throw F41 Final- Navdeep 23:03 - Women’s 200m T12 Final - Simran* 00:29 - Men’s 400m T47 Final - Dilip Mahadu Gavit* Para Judo Indian schedule September 5 13:30 - Women’s -48kg J2 Preliminary Rounds 13:30 - Men’s -60kg J1 Preliminary Rounds 19:30 - Women’s -48kg J2 Final Block* 19:30 - Men’s -60kg J1 Final Block* Para Rowing Indian schedule August 30 15:00 - PR3 Mixed Doubles Sculls Heats August 31 14:40 - PR3 Mixed Double Sculls Repechages * September 1 14:00 - PR3 Mixed Double Sculls Final B (to determine position) 15:40 - PR3 Mixed Double Sculls Final A (medal match) Para archery Indian schedule August 29 16:30 - Women’s Individual Compound Open Ranking Round - Sheetal Devi (ST category), Sarita (W2 category) 16:30 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open Ranking Round - Harvinder Singh (ST category) 20:30 - Men’s Individual Compound Open Ranking Round - Rakesh Kumar (W2 category), Shyam Sundar Swami (ST category) 20:30 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open Ranking Round - Pooja (ST category) August 30 12:30 - Women’s Individual Compound Open 1/16 elimination 19:00 - Men’s Individual Compound Open 1/16 elimination August 31 19:00 - Women’s Individual Compound Open 1/8 elimination* 21:16 - Women’s Individual Compound Open Quarterfinal* 22:24 - Women’s Individual Compound Open Semifinal* 23:13 - Women’s Individual Compound Open Bronze Medal Match* 23:30 - Women’s Individual Compound Open Gold Medal Match* September 1 19:00 - Men’s Individual Compound Open 1/8 elimination* 21:16 - Men’s Individual Compound Open Quarterfinal* 22:24 - Men’s Individual Compound Open Semifinal* 23:13 - Men’s Individual Compound Open Bronze Medal Match* 23:30 - Men’s Individual Compound Open Gold Medal Match* September 2 19:00 - Mixed Team Compound Open 1/8 elimination 20:20 - Mixed Team Compound Open Quarterfinal* 21:40 - Mixed Team Compound Open Semifinal* 22:35 - Mixed Team Compound Open Bronze Medal Match* 22:55 - Mixed Team Compound Open Gold Medal Match* September 3 12:30 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open 1/16 elimination followed by 1/8 elimination* 20:30 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open Quarterfinal* 21:18 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open Semifinal* 22:27 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open Bronze Medal Match* 22:44 - Women’s Individual Recurve Open Gold Medal Match* September 4 12:30 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open 1/16 elimination followed by 1/8 elimination round* 21:00 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open Quarterfinal* 22:08 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open Semifinal* 22:54 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open Bronze Medal Match* 23:14 - Men’s Individual Recurve Open Gold Medal Match* September 5 13:30 - Mixed Team Recurve Open 1/8 elimination 18:30 - Mixed Team Recurve Open Quarterfinal* 19:50 - Mixed Team Recurve Open Semifinal* 20:45 - Mixed Team Recurve Bronze Medal Match* 21:05 - Mixed Team Recurve Gold Medal Match* Para Shooting Indian schedule August 30 12:30 - R2 - Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Qualification - Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal 14:45 - P1 - Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Qualification - Manish Narwal, Rudransh Khandelwal 15:15 - R2 - Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final - Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal* 17:00 - R4 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 Qualification - Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna 17:30 - P1 - Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final - Manish Narwal, Rudransh Khandelwal* 19:45 - R4 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 Final - Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna* August 31 13:00 - R1 - Men’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Qualification - Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar 15:30 - P2 - Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Qualification - Rubina Francis 15:45 - R1 - Men’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final - Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar* 18:15 - P2 - Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final - Rubina Francis* September 1 13:00 - R3 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 Qualification - Avani Lekhara, Sidhartha Babu 15:00 - R5 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 Qualification - Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna 16:30 - R3 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 Final - Avani Lekhara, Sidhartha Babu* 18:30 - R5 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 Final - Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna* September 2 12:30 - P3 - Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 Qualification Precision Stage - Amir Ahmad Bhat, Nihal Singh 16:30 - P3 - Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 Qualification Rapid Stage - Amir Ahmad Bhat, Nihal Singh 20:15 - P3 - Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 Final - Amir Ahmad Bhat, Nihal Singh* September 3 13:00 - R8 - Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 Qualification - Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal 19:30 - R8 - Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 Final - Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal* September 4 13:00 - P4 - Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 Qualification - Nihal Singh, Rudransh Khandelwal 15:45 - P4 - Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 Final - Nihal Singh, Rudransh Khandelwal* September 5 13:00 - R6 - Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1 Qualification - Mona Agarwal, Sidhartha Babu 15:15 - R6 - Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1 Final - Mona Agarwal, Sidhartha Babu* Indian Paracanoe Athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympics September 6 13:30 - Men’s Kayak Single 200m -KL1 Heats 13:50 - Women’s Va’a Single 200m VL2 Heats 14:55 - Women’s Kayak Single 200m -KL1 Heats September 7 13:30 - Men’s Kayak Single 200m -KL1 Semifinal* 13:58 - Women’s Va’a Single 200m VL2 Semifinal* 14:50 - Men’s Kayak Single 200m -KL1 Final A (Medal Round)* 15:14 - Women’s Va’a Single 200m VL2 Final B* 15:22 - Women’s Va’a Single 200m VL2 Final A(Medal Round)* September 8 13:30 - Women’s Kayak Single 200m - KL1 Semifinal* 14:55 - Women’s Kayak Single 200m - KL1 Final A* Para Taekwondo Indian schedule August 29 13:30 onwards - Women K 44-47 kg Round of 16 15:40 onwards - Women K 44-47 kg Quarterfinals* 20:30 onwards - Women K 44-47 kg Repechage* 21:34 onwards - Women K 44-47 kg Semifinal* 22:40 onwards - Women K 44-47 kg Bronze Medal Contests* August 30 00:04 - Women K44-47 kg Gold Medal Contest* Indian Para Powerlifters at the Paris 2024 Paralympics September 4 15:30 - Men’s up to 49kg (Medal Round) 20:30 - Women’s up to 45kg (Medal Round) September 5 22:05 - Men’s up to 65kg (Medal Round) September 6 20:30 - Women’s up to 67 kg (Medal Round) The 17th edition of the Summer Paralympics will take place in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8 this year. There will be 549 events in 22 sports. Full schedule Event Date Opening Ceremony August 28 Blind Football September 1-7 Boccia August 29 - September 5 Goalball August 29 - September 5 Para Archery August 29 - September 5 Para Athletics August 30 - September 8 Para Badminton August 29 - September 2 Para Canoe September 6-8 Para Cycling Road September 4-7 Para Cycling Track August 29 - September 1 Para Equestrian September 2-7 Para Judo September 5-7 Para Powerlifting September 4-8 Para Rowing August 30 - September 1 Para Swimming August 29 - September 7 Para Table Tennis August 29 - September 7 Para Taekwondo August 29-31 Para Triathlon September 1-2 Shooting Para Sport August 30 - September 5 Sitting Volleyball August 29 - September 7 Wheelchair Basketball August 29 - September 8 Wheelchair Fencing September 3-7 Wheelchair Rugby August 29 - September 2 Wheelchair Tennis August 30 - September 7 Closing Ceremony September 8 *Denotes subject to qualification Much much relate? 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In India, awareness about dyslexia is growing, but there is still a long way to go. < Back Neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+, Health Living with Dyslexia: My journey as a dyslexic lesbian author in India In India, awareness about dyslexia is growing, but there is still a long way to go. K Vaishali 31 May 2024 5-min read I’m K Vaishali, the author of 'Homeless: Growing Up, Lesbian and Dyslexic in India.' My journey has been filled with challenges, many of which stem from being diagnosed late with dyslexia and dysgraphia at the age of 20. This diagnosis came after years of struggling to understand why I found certain tasks so difficult. What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a common learning disorder characterized by difficulties with reading, spelling, and writing. It affects the brain's ability to process written and spoken language, making it challenging for individuals to decode words and comprehend text. Dysgraphia, often associated with dyslexia, involves difficulties with handwriting and fine motor skills. According to the Dyslexia Association of India, approximately 10-15% of the population is affected by dyslexia, though many remain undiagnosed. My first memory of struggling with dyslexia dates back to the fourth standard when I received very low marks in a math exam. I had left many questions half-answered, a common issue for dyslexic students who may not realize they haven’t finished their tasks. Repeated spelling mistakes, such as writing "cost" as "coast," were frequent and often led to harsh reprimands from teachers and adults who thought I wasn’t trying hard enough. Tasks that were simple for others, like tying shoelaces or fastening my school tie, were huge challenges for me. I often got into trouble at school for these issues, which made me feel even more inadequate and frustrated. A particularly difficult period was in the seventh standard when my family moved from Chennai to Bombay. I had to switch from Tamil to Hindi as my second language. For a dyslexic person, learning multiple scripts—Tamil, English, and Hindi—was incredibly challenging. Tamil and Hindi, being completely different scripts, made this transition even harder. I remember attending tuition classes where my teacher would give me a second standard Hindi textbook. Struggling to read, I would underline long words and ask for their meanings, not realizing that underlining a character’s name was puzzling to my teacher. My undiagnosed dyslexia led to repeated academic failures. I flunked the seventh standard and had to repeat the year. Eventually, I switched to Sanskrit, which started from the basics and allowed me to pass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ausLPy9xZvw Myths and misconceptions Dyslexic individuals often face numerous myths and misconceptions, such as: Myth: Dyslexia is a sign of low intelligence. Reality: Dyslexia is unrelated to intelligence; many dyslexic individuals possess high creativity and problem-solving skills. Myth: Dyslexic people are lazy or not trying hard enough. Reality: Dyslexic individuals often work harder than their peers to achieve the same level of understanding and proficiency. Myth: Dyslexia can be outgrown. Reality: Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, but with the right support and strategies, individuals can successfully manage its challenges. Despite these challenges, adult life brought its own set of difficulties. I couldn’t complete my bachelor’s degree and struggled with various professional courses. I worked as an auditor but constantly mixed up numbers in balance sheets, a mistake that is unacceptable in that profession. Realizing that accountancy was not for me, I attempted a master’s in economics, only to discover that my difficulties with graphs and numbers persisted. It was only when I pursued a degree in communication that I found a path I could navigate. Writing became my outlet, and I authored my book. My journey has been isolating, with school being an especially unsafe space. Teachers misinterpreted my struggles as an attitude problem, and my dyslexia led to an eating disorder, causing anxiety before exams. I would binge eat months before exams, leading to weight gain and further bullying at school. Eating disorder involve complex relationships with food and body image, often manifesting as behaviors like binge eating, strict dieting, or purging. These are serious mental health conditions that require compassionate understanding and support. They can significantly impact physical health and emotional well-being, but with the right help, recovery is possible. In addition to my struggles with dyslexia, being a lesbian added another layer of complexity. Growing up, I felt different from my friends. They were attracted to boys, and because I wasn’t, I felt isolated. This feeling of not fitting in anywhere severely affected my self-esteem. I masked my true self for years, trying to conform to societal expectations, which brought me no happiness. Now, as an adult, I am more comfortable with my identity. I understand what dyslexia entails and seek help when needed, using various tools to perform my job well. Setting realistic expectations for myself has been a significant step. I often remind myself that just because others can do something doesn’t mean I have to do it the same way. I have learned to embrace my differences, focusing on my strengths rather than my limitations. In India, awareness about dyslexia is growing, but there is still a long way to go. According to the Dyslexia Association of India, many children go undiagnosed, and there is a lack of support in schools. It's important for educators and parents to recognize the signs of dyslexia early and provide the necessary support. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence; many dyslexic individuals possess remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills. Supporting dyslexic individuals Support for dyslexic children and adults can significantly improve their quality of life and academic performance. Effective strategies include: Early diagnosis and intervention: Early identification of dyslexia allows for timely support and accommodations, reducing frustration and academic struggles. Tailored education plans: Individualized education programs (IEPs) can address specific learning needs and incorporate tools such as extra time for tests and the use of assistive technology. Multisensory teaching methods: Techniques that engage multiple senses can enhance learning and retention for dyslexic students. Positive reinforcement: Encouragement and recognition of effort and achievements can boost self-esteem and motivation. Mental health support: Access to counseling and mental health services can help manage the emotional impact of dyslexia and related conditions like anxiety and eating disorders. Buy K Vaishali's book here: https://amzn.in/d/5owZNiu Follow K Vaishali on socials: Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedIn Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Poll says viewers think filmmakers can do more to authentically depict mental illness & disabilities < Back Disability, Media, News Study shows 60 percent audience unhappy with disability representation Poll says viewers think filmmakers can do more to authentically depict mental illness & disabilities MMS Staff 17 Jul 2024 2-min read The verdict is in on Hollywood’s representation of people with disability and mental illness, and the numbers have spoken. According to a new study by the non-profit Inevitable Foundation, cheekily titled ‘Audiences Are Waiting for Hollywood to Greenlight Disability,’ 60 percent of the audience is “unsatisfied with how disability and mental health are currently represented on big screens and small screens alike.” The foundation works with disabled writers and filmmakers to destigmatise disability and mental health, and increase (and level up) the representation of this community. The poll saw 1,000 participants, of which half lived with disabilities and half did not. The study noted that 15 percent of the global population lives with some form of disability or neurodivergence, and when it comes to TV viewing, this population is watching more content than non-disabled or neurotypical audiences. Even so, the polled audience feels the representation is inadequate and improper. “As it stands, the entertainment industry’s drastic underinvestment in authentic disabled storytelling is abandoning an important and growing untapped market and eroding the trust of disabled and non-disabled audiences alike,” the report reads. The poll also shows that 43 percent of the audience comprising both disabled and non-disabled folx ‘frequently discuss or share’ content that has authentic representation of people with disabilities or neurodivergence. And 40 percent are likely to recommend a film or show to friends or family members if it has authentic representation. Recently, the Indian Supreme Court released a set of guidelines for authentic representation of disabled characters, following a Public Interest Litigation filed against the makers of the film ‘Aankh Micholi,’ which had ableist representation. Some other numbers the poll highlights: 25 percent of global households have at least 1 disabled person. 35 percent of disabled people watch 20+ hours of TV per week, compared to 25 percent non-disabled people. 63 percent of disabled people watch more than 10 hours of TV per week, compared to 55 percent of non-disabled people. 31 percent of audiences feel there are no streaming services committed to authentic disability or mental health representation. 25 percent of audiences consider more than 90 percent of the depictions of disability seen in the past year to be inauthentic. 50 percent of Gen Z will research a company to make sure it aligns with their values. Some recent films and shows that have good representation include: Bridgerton Geek Girl All The Light We Cannot See: Check out the full report here . Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS