Search Results

The Witch Weaver redefines identity and inclusivity in the toy world < Back LGBTQIA+, News, Media Mattel teams up with Harris Reed to debut first-ever gender-fluid doll The Witch Weaver redefines identity and inclusivity in the toy world MMS Staff 10 Dec 2024 2-min read In a bold move towards fostering inclusivity and self-expression, Harris Reed, a celebrated fashion designer and gender-fluid activist, has teamed up with Mattel to unveil The Witch Weaver — the first-ever gender-fluid doll in the Monster High series. This collaboration transcends mere toy design, signaling a powerful cultural statement about identity, representation, and the transformative potential of creativity. Growing up, Reed often felt unseen in the world of toys. Their options at Toys “R” Us were limited to G.I. Joe or Barbie — neither of which reflected their evolving sense of self. However, the Monster High dolls stood apart, their campy, otherworldly aesthetics offering a rare space for self-recognition. Reed recalls how these dolls inspired hope and curiosity during their formative years. “The combination of otherworldly identities made me feel seen,” Reed shared. With The Witch Weaver, they aim to provide the same sense of belonging to a new generation of children navigating their own identity journeys. The Witch Weaver embodies transformation in every sense of the word. Donning fiery red hair, fangs, spiderweb tattoos, flared jeans, and ornate accessories, the doll merges gothic flair with Reed’s signature avant-garde design sensibilities. The doll’s aesthetic celebrates the fluidity of identity, mirroring Reed’s own journey as a gender-fluid individual. Reed explained, “This doll isn’t just about style — it’s about showing kids they can be anything they want, weaving through their identities as they grow.” For Mattel, The Witch Weaver marks a significant milestone in promoting diversity within its toy lines. While the Monster High series has long championed individuality and bold self-expression, this collaboration elevates the brand’s commitment to inclusivity. Reed's personal connection to the project — spanning over two and a half years — infuses the doll with authenticity and purpose. The collaboration also resonates with a larger societal need: toys that reflect the full spectrum of human experience. By normalizing diverse gender identities in a medium as universal as children’s toys, The Witch Weaver challenges outdated norms and sparks meaningful conversations about self-discovery and acceptance. At its core, The Witch Weaver is more than just a doll — it’s a symbol of hope, creativity, and limitless possibilities. Reed’s collaboration with Mattel encourages young people to embrace their uniqueness, dismantle societal expectations, and dream big. “With everything going on in the world right now, it’s so important that the next generation knows they can do anything they want — and more importantly, be anything they want,” Reed emphasized. Available to the public starting November 22, 2024, The Witch Weaver stands as a beacon of progress in the toy industry. Through this collaboration, Harris Reed and Mattel are not only rewriting the narrative of childhood play but also empowering young people to explore, express, and celebrate their truest selves. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Top NGOs supporting Autistic children and their families in India < Back List of NGOs that work with Autistic children in India Top NGOs supporting Autistic children and their families in India Ummeed Child Development Center Location: Mumbai Website: https://ummeed.org/ Ummeed Child Development Center is a premier organization dedicated to supporting children with developmental disabilities, including autism. With a holistic approach, Ummeed offers comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, therapists, and educators. Their services include developmental assessments, medical consultations, therapy sessions, and educational support tailored to each child’s unique needs. Ummeed is committed to empowering families and building capacity within communities by providing training programs for parents, caregivers, and professionals. Their goal is to ensure that every child reaches their full potential in an inclusive and supportive environment. Latika Location: Dehradun Website: https://latikaroy.org/ The Latika Roy Foundation is a renowned organization based in Dehradun, dedicated to serving children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism. With a holistic and compassionate approach, the foundation offers a wide array of services such as early intervention, special education, vocational training, and therapeutic support. Their inclusive programs are designed to empower children and their families, helping them navigate challenges and achieve meaningful progress. The foundation also focuses on community outreach and advocacy, working to raise awareness and foster acceptance of disabilities within society. Through training workshops and support networks, the Latika Roy Foundation equips parents, caregivers, and educators with essential skills and knowledge, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive in an inclusive environment. Nayi Disha Location: Hyderabad Website: https://nayi-disha.org/ Nayi Disha Resource Centre is a dynamic organization based in Hyderabad, dedicated to providing comprehensive support for families of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. Nayi Disha offers an extensive range of resources, including detailed information on education, therapy, and community services, to help families make informed decisions. Their platform is designed to connect parents and caregivers with expert advice, peer support, and practical tools tailored to their unique needs. Nayi Disha is committed to fostering a supportive community through workshops, support groups, and awareness campaigns, ensuring that every family has access to the guidance and assistance they need. By bridging the information gap and advocating for inclusive practices, Nayi Disha empowers families to provide the best possible care for their loved ones. Action for Autism Location: Delhi Website: https://www.facebook.com/actionforautism.nationalcentreforautism/ Action for Autism (AFA) is a pioneering organization in India dedicated to advocating for and supporting individuals with autism and their families. Established to create a more inclusive society, AFA provides a wide range of services including early intervention, special education, vocational training, and family support. Their comprehensive programs are designed to address the unique needs of autistic individuals, helping them to achieve their fullest potential. AFA also focuses on awareness and advocacy, working tirelessly to destigmatize autism and promote acceptance within the community. Through training and outreach initiatives, AFA empowers parents, caregivers, and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to support autistic individuals effectively. Forum for Autism Location: Mumbai Website: https://www.forumforautism.org/ Forum for Autism is a dedicated organization based in Mumbai, committed to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. As a robust support network, the Forum provides a wide range of services including advocacy, educational support, and therapeutic interventions tailored to the unique needs of autistic individuals. The organization actively works to raise awareness about autism through community outreach programs and campaigns, aiming to foster greater acceptance and understanding within society. By organizing workshops, training sessions, and support groups, Forum for Autism empowers parents, caregivers, and educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to support and nurture autistic individuals effectively. Their mission is to create an inclusive environment where individuals with autism can thrive and reach their full potential. Sethu Location: Goa Website: https://sethu.in/ Sethu Child Development and Family Guidance Centre, located in Goa, is a distinguished organization dedicated to supporting children with developmental and learning challenges, including autism. Sethu offers a comprehensive range of services such as early intervention, special education, psychological assessments, and therapeutic interventions designed to cater to each child's unique needs. The centre is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where children can develop their abilities and achieve their potential. Sethu also places a strong emphasis on empowering families through guidance and support, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for their children. By conducting workshops, training programs, and community outreach initiatives, Sethu aims to raise awareness and promote understanding of developmental disabilities within the broader community. Their holistic approach ensures that every child and family receives personalized care and support, contributing to a more inclusive society. Sangath Location: Goa, Bhopal Website: https://sangath.in/ Sangath is a highly respected non-profit organization based in Goa, dedicated to improving mental health and well-being across India, with a particular focus on developmental disabilities, including autism. Sangath provides a wide spectrum of services encompassing early intervention, special education, mental health care, and family support. Their innovative programs are grounded in evidence-based practices and are designed to be accessible and effective for diverse communities. Sangath is renowned for its research-driven approach, contributing significantly to the field of mental health through cutting-edge studies and publications. The organization also emphasizes capacity building, offering extensive training for healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers to enhance their skills and knowledge. By fostering collaborations with local, national, and international partners, Sangath aims to create sustainable and scalable models of care. Their commitment to community engagement and advocacy helps to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote inclusive practices, ensuring that individuals with autism and other developmental challenges receive the support they need to lead fulfilling lives. Jai Vakeel Location: Mumbai Website: https://jaivakeel.org/ Jai Vakeel Foundation is a distinguished organization in Mumbai dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Established with a vision to empower and uplift, the foundation offers a comprehensive range of services such as early intervention, special education, vocational training, and therapeutic support. Jai Vakeel Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive environment where individuals can thrive and reach their fullest potential. The foundation also focuses on family support and advocacy, providing parents and caregivers with essential resources and training to better support their loved ones. Through community outreach programs, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships, Jai Vakeel Foundation aims to foster greater acceptance and understanding of disabilities in society. Their holistic approach ensures that each individual receives personalized care and support, promoting a more inclusive and compassionate community. WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link Much much relate? Share it now! < Back SHORTS

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

Legendary sprinter partners with P&G to ensure mothers can compete at their best < Back Parenting, News, Gender Allyson Felix champions Olympic Village nursery for athlete moms Legendary sprinter partners with P&G to ensure mothers can compete at their best MMS Staff 13 Jul 2024 2-min read Retired Olympic athlete Allyson Felix has partnered up with P&G to have a nursery in the Olympic Village at Paris 2024. The nursery - a first of its kind - will provide a space for athlete moms to ensure their babies are cared for, as well as bond with each other. “I just knew how difficult it is to compete at the top level after I had my daughter. And so when I became (part of) the athletes’ commission of the IOC (International Olympics Committee), I really wanted to be the voice for athlete moms,” Felix said in an interview with CBS Mornings. Felix has a record 20 world championship medals and 11 Olympic wins - including seven Gold medals. “It’s just one less thing for them (athlete moms) to worry about in the pressure of competition,” she added. The space is an area where kids can have their playtime, and moms can feed their babies and take a break from all the noise that happens at the Olympics games. Built to meet the demands of up to 22,250 athletes and staff, the nursery has been built with support from P&G’s Pampers brand. The space will stock up on nappies and wet wipes from the sponsor brand, who will also provide a wide range of essential services including access to period protection products, laundry rooms and dental clinics across the village. “Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes. I am very grateful for the strong support of P&G from the first day our Commission put forward the suggestion. It is very helpful for both parents and infants to be able to spend time together, especially at such an important moment in an athlete’s sporting life. This nursery allows that to happen, while also giving athletes the opportunity to focus on the Games,” said IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho in this article on the Olympics website. Felix, who is now part of the Athletes’ Commission at the IOC, had a complicated pregnancy in 2018. After Camryn - her daughter’s - birth, Felix competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, winning 4 x 400m gold and earning an individual bronze in the 400 m, marking her fifth consecutive Olympics with a medal. “I think (the initiative) tells women you can be mothers and still be at the top of your game,” Felix said. “... we’re seeing so many athlete mom role models for the younger ones to look up to. And I hope we just keep finding better ways to support these women.” Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

GST 2.0 still taxes assistive devices, accessibility, and disabled live < Back Disability, Health, News GST is simpler now, but living with a disability in India remains costly GST 2.0 still taxes assistive devices, accessibility, and disabled live MMS Staff 5 Sept 2025 3-min read On September 3, 2025, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stood before the press and announced what she called a “next-generation” overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The reform was billed as a landmark moment: four tax slabs collapsed into two, compliance simplified, daily-use items made more affordable. Headlines across media platforms hailed it as a win for the “common man.” But for millions of disabled people in India, the celebration felt oddly distant. Because once again, disability didn’t feature in the fine print. What the GST council got right There’s no denying some of the changes are meaningful. GST on individual life and health insurance premiums - previously taxed at 18% - has now been removed entirely. 33 life-saving drugs are now fully GST exempt. Medical kits, diagnostic reagents, and corrective spectacles have seen tax cuts that make them more accessible for families navigating rising healthcare costs. Still taxing independence: the silence on assistive devices One of the most glaring omissions in the new GST structure is assistive technology, the very tools that enable disabled people to live, move, work, and communicate with dignity. Wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, Braille printers, screen readers - all of these remain taxed between 5% and 18%. No new exemptions. No tax rationalisation. Not even a mention. This isn’t just about money. It’s about what our systems choose to prioritise. When entertainment electronics get tax cuts but essential mobility devices don’t, it reveals how disability is still seen as a side issue, not a mainstream concern. As disability rights advocates have long argued: access isn’t a luxury. It’s a right. When insurance isn’t inclusion Another headline win from the GST 2.0 reform was the removal of tax on health and life insurance policies. It’s a major shift in making financial protection more affordable, but only for those who can actually access it. For many disabled people, insurance remains inaccessible or discriminatory. Pre-existing conditions are often flagged. Chronic illnesses lead to exclusions. Neurodivergent and mentally disabled individuals routinely face rejection or unreasonably high premiums. So while GST-free insurance might sound like relief, for many disabled households, it’s relief they can’t even access. Disability is expensive. Policy rarely acknowledges that Mainstream conversations about the cost of living rarely account for the added costs of disability, from hospitalisation and rehab to caregiving, therapy, and the everyday cost of inclusion. And because most of these are either under-covered or excluded from public and private insurance, families are often left to pay out-of-pocket. These hidden costs - financial, emotional, social - add up. As a result, disability is often seen as a “burden” not because of the person, but because of how unsupported the system makes their existence. Reform is not just about slabs. It's about who we include The Finance Ministry has called this the most “people-centric” GST reform yet. But if your definition of “people” doesn’t include disabled communities, chronically ill individuals, caregivers, or those who rely on assistive devices, then your reform is only half done. You can’t talk about “ease of living” and still make independence more expensive. You can’t celebrate inclusion while taxing accessibility. What real disability-inclusive tax reform could look like If India is serious about “inclusive growth”, here’s what a truly progressive GST reform would do: Exempt assistive devices from GST, just like life-saving drugs. Recognize accessibility tech as essential, not optional. Reimagine insurance access for disabled and chronically ill individuals. Center disability in all economic and fiscal policies, not just social welfare. Until we’re named, we’re not protected At Much Much Spectrum, we believe that policy must be accountable not just to markets and margins, but to lived realities. GST 2.0 may have simplified slabs, but it did not simplify life for millions navigating disability. And that should concern all of us. Because until disability is explicitly centered in policy conversations - not as an afterthought, but as a starting point - reforms will remain cosmetic. And the cost of being disabled in India will remain far higher than any GST slab can calculate. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Tesla CEO made a sarcastic tweet about CrowdStrike’s partnership with global inclusion company < Back Work, News Musk's controversial claim: DEI hiring responsible for IT outage Tesla CEO made a sarcastic tweet about CrowdStrike’s partnership with global inclusion company MMS Staff 21 Jul 2024 1-min read While much of the world was reeling from the global IT outage over Thursday and Friday, X CEO Elon Musk did not miss a chance to use the opportunity to take yet another potshot at DEI hiring. American cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which provides cloud workload protection and endpoint security, threat intelligence, and cyberattack response services, was responsible for one of the biggest IT outages in history on Friday, affecting 8.5 million Windows devices, when an update to one of its applications, Falcon, went live with a coding error built in. CrowdStrike has raised millions in funding from Silicon Valley, employs thousands from around the globe, and reportedly services 538 out of the Fortune 1000 companies. Plus they're also big on DEI hiring. CrowdStrike is a Gold Partner of Bright Network's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging panel. Bright Network, a media tech platform, connects graduates from various backgrounds with suitable employers. And as part of this partnership, CrowdStrike says they're committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. On Friday, following news about the outage, Elon Musk replied to a 2-year-old tweet by CrowdStrike about their association with Bright Network. In it, he simply said: "Not very 'bright' right now, is it?" The replies to his tweet, too, were largely in support of his skewed stance on the matter. DEI initiatives at various US-based companies have recently seen a pushback from upper management, with Tesla reportedly dropping language referencing diversity from its annual shareholder report earlier this year. Microsoft, too, recently laid off a team that was devoted to diversity, equity & inclusion. Shortly after that, tractor company John Deere announced they would do away with nearly all their DEI policies in favour of a quality-based workplace. Other companies who have recently either completely eliminated or reduced the size of their DEI teams include Zoom, Snap, Google, and Meta. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Here are some executive function strategies that will help you with task initiation and inertia < Back Neurodiversity, Media, Disability 7 ways to get things done as an autistic-ADHD adult Here are some executive function strategies that will help you with task initiation and inertia Aditi Gangrade 9 Aug 2024 2-min read One of the first things we’re dealing with every day is what to get done and when. What to start the day with, how to plan stuff so that it gets done in time. And how to go through the day. But so many of us - Autistic-ADHDers and even some neurotypicals - struggle with tasks. There’s a name for it... Executive Function. Planning, prioritising, organising. Filtering your impulses to focus on one thing and eliminate distractions. Task initiation, follow through, and completion. Responsibility management. Attention to detail. Remembering stuff. Executive function is all these things. Call it your brain’s ability to get things done. I don’t know about you, but all too often my brain is not my best friend. So how do I get things done? This is just me, and it might not apply to you so take what helps and leave out the rest! High-interest vs low-interest tasks Before I go on trying to prioritise, I classify things into high-interest and low-interest. This is almost instinctive. Things that are high-interest will come naturally, and things that are low-interest won’t. Things that I have high-interest in require lesser energy and motivation and low-interest stuff requires super higher motivation. So, knowing this makes task segregation through the day easy for me, and I kind of know what to do when. Being self-aware about your spoons So, let me put it this way - spoons are the amount of energy and mind space you have throughout the day. So usually, I have the most number of spoons at the beginning of the day and the least number of spoons at the end of the day. So I typically start my day with low-interest high priority tasks, and end my day with high-interest low priority tasks. Because when something is really interesting for me, I find that I can do it with fewer spoons too. So, overcoming resistance by segregating tasks based on priority, interest, and spoons really helps me! Autistic inertia & incidental attention Some Autistic and ADHD brains feel a lot of inertia doing some tasks. It takes me long to start things, and when I do, I hyperfocus and I forget to take breaks, and end up burning out. There’s also a constant fear of getting something wrong, so I’m tempted to delay a lot of my work. When doing low-interest tasks, sometimes the smallest distractions catch my attention and I lose my focus. This is common to some ADHD-ers, and one way of working through it is by blocking out any external sounds. I use noise cancelling headphones, or I listen to a brown noise video on YouTube. Negative self-talk Getting into negative self-talk spirals is easy when the task at hand is just… boring! The first thing I do in such situations is take a break. I’ll either take a nap, or I'll go take a shower. I’ll basically do anything that soothes my senses. And I find that it’s so much easier for me to focus when my senses are at ease. Building strong relationships with someone who can support you For me, having a sense of security and safety is important. Especially in a new space or someplace where I’m not comfortable. I find that gentle communication and external trust motivate me to do better. And someone getting angry or impatient with me can have the exact opposite effect. You can also body double, which is essentially sharing the same space with someone but doing entirely different activities. For teachers, scaffolding is a great way to support kids with executive function challenges. Routines Executive function challenges might be one reason why so many of us autistic ADHD-ers like routines and sameness. It’s one way to ensure we get some of our things done. I don’t put a time on my to-do list, because each day my capacity of task completion is different, but I’ll have a broad list of things I need to do that day, that week, or even that month. Rewards Building small rewards into your system is a great idea, so you get that dopamine boost in small intervals. I’ll pepper my day with small, healthy snacks that I’ll have after each big task, or I’ll take a couple hours off in the evening if I can push myself to finish off some things early. Executive function challenges are real and difficult to work through. And they can easily be misconstrued as purposeful irresponsible behaviour or insubordination or being incapable of doing something or plain lazy. In reality, it’s much more complicated than that. But initiating this conversation with someone who you see has visible challenges with time and task management is a good way to understand their lived experience. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqCu3NwMBLI Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Exposing the flaws in beauty standards, Aastha Shah responds to trolls on her Instagram < Back Health, Gender, News How this Indian creator responded to bullies trolling her for having vitiligo Exposing the flaws in beauty standards, Aastha Shah responds to trolls on her Instagram MMS Staff 25 Jun 2024 4-minute read Aastha Shah, an Indian content creator and vitiligo self-advocate, is using her platform to address the bullying and ostracisation faced by individuals with vitiligo. Today, on World Vitiligo Day, she shared her experiences on her Instagram and emphasised the need for greater awareness and acceptance of this skin condition. Responding to ableist trolls In one of her recent social media posts, Aastha Shah addressed the daily trolling she endures because she looks different owing to her skin condition. Her message was both a celebration of her Vitiligo pride and a message to her trolls and bullies. "Happy World Vitiligo Day Today we celebrate the uniqueness of our beautiful skin as an entire community. Vitiligo is beautiful in every way. This is just 1% of the people making fun of my family and me on a daily basis. The reason I am putting this out there is because vitiligo can affect people psychologically and the least the society can do is not troll us. For all the ones who have vitiligo, my message to you is that let the world put you down and make you feel different, just remember to thrash the stereotype and work towards your dreams because you’re unstoppable👩🏻🤝👨🏾," Shah shared. Addressing misconceptions Shah frequently encounters comments accusing her of seeking sympathy or playing the victim card. She uses these moments to educate others about Vitiligo. “I get a lot of comments about gaining sympathy, playing the victim card, making vitiligo my personality and the fact that I could hide it from the world because I have vitiligo all over my body. First of all, I don’t want sympathy, I want to raise awareness about this skin condition because we have a lot of uneducated people in this world. Secondly, I proudly wear my skin, and thirdly, I want the world to know about it so that even if one person gets inspired, it will make me happy.” The reality of living with vitiligo Vitiligo, as Shah explains, is a skin condition caused by the loss of melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin colour. It begins with patches and can spread across the body. Shah has non-segmental vitiligo, which symmetrically appears on both sides of her body. Importantly, it does not affect any internal organs. “Vitiligo is a skin condition which is caused when the melanocytes (cells which give colour to your skin) stop functioning. It appears in patches initially and can eventually spread throughout your body. I have non-segmental vitiligo which symmetrically appears on both sides of the body. It does not affect any organ internally. It’s an autoimmune skin condition and not a skin disease. There is no scientific cure for vitiligo. Now let me celebrate my day happily” Providing support and encouragement When she first shared her story online, Shah received numerous messages from other people with similar lived experiences who were in unsupportive environments. Many expressed feelings of depression and even had s*icidal thoughts because of their vitiligo. Aastha responded to them with compassion and support. “Many parents abandon their children or try to cure their vitiligo using harmful methods. There is no scientifically proven cure for vitiligo. I was disheartened reading such messages and tried to help most of them by talking to them and supporting them.” Myths and facts about vitiligo Myth: Vitiligo is contagious. Fact: Vitiligo is not contagious. It is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the pigment cells in the skin leading to the skin losing its colour. Myth: Vitiligo only affects the skin. Fact: While vitiligo primarily affects the skin, it can also impact hair and the inside of the mouth. It does not affect internal organs. Myth: Vitiligo can be cured with certain treatments. Fact: There is no scientifically proven cure for vitiligo. Treatments can help manage the condition but cannot completely cure it. Aastha’s posts frequently attract numerous hurtful comments from trolls, revealing the cruelty and ableism that persist in society. This highlights the shallow nature of beauty norms and the deep-seated ableism, racism, and sexism prevalent among Indian trolls. It also underscores the dire need for improved health awareness in India. Ableism, sexism, and harmful beauty norms perpetuate discrimination and exclusion in society. Ableism marginalises individuals with disabilities, denying them equal opportunities and respect. Sexism enforces gender stereotypes, limiting people's potential based on their gender. Harmful beauty norms create unrealistic standards, fostering judgement and alienation for those who do not conform. Together, these attitudes contribute to a culture of intolerance and inequality. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

A show about murder, misogyny, and the men our boys are becoming < Back Gender, Education, Parenting The truth behind Adolescence, Netflix's new crime drama A show about murder, misogyny, and the men our boys are becoming Aditi Gangrade 7 Apr 2025 3-min read At first glance, Adolescence, Netflix’s new crime mini-series, looks like your standard whodunnit. A teenage girl is murdered. A teenage boy is arrested. We follow the fallout. But to reduce this show to a thriller about finding a killer is to miss its sharpest, most haunting truth. Adolescence isn’t a story about one violent boy. It’s a story about a violent system. About the schools, families, algorithms, governments, and silences that raised him. At the centre of Adolescence is 13-year-old Jamie — awkward, isolated, and slowly radicalised by a cocktail of neglect, toxic masculinity, and the internet’s darkest corners. He’s not an evil genius. He’s not even “bad.” He’s a kid. A kid raised in a home where power = manhood. In a school where bullying goes unnoticed and gender roles go unchallenged. And online, where influencers, and endless reels are teaching him that women are objects, weakness is failure, and violence is sometimes justified. The scariest part is that nothing about Jamie felt far-fetched. It felt familiar. This isn’t just happening “out there” As a woman in India, this hit close. Because we know this boy. We’ve seen him mocking his teachers. We’ve seen him online, saying “feminism has gone too far.” We’ve sat across the table from him, while adults — even women — excused his entitlement as “Boys will be boys.” We’ve seen how girls are trained to protect themselves from boys. But no one’s training boys to respect girls. Adolescence captures this divide in brutal detail — not just the physical violence, but the emotional breakdown of a society that rewards silent aggression in boys and constant self-policing in girls. Parenting isn't enough. It never was. Here’s the truth that often gets brushed aside: This isn’t just about parenting. Yes, parents play a big role. But children spend most of their time being shaped by everything else — schools, peers, gaming chatrooms, TV, TikTok, the government policies (or lack thereof) around sex education, digital safety, and gender rights. It’s not enough to tell parents to "monitor screen time." We need schools that actively teach consent and emotional intelligence, not just math. We need tech platforms to stop pushing toxic content to young boys in the name of “engagement.” We need governments to fund programs that challenge misogyny, rather than quietly enabling it. We need a whole system shift — not just better parenting books. It’s about the boys and the girls One of the most uncomfortable truths in Adolescence is that Katie — the girl Jamie is accused of killing — was also part of the cycle. She bullied him. She mocked him using the same incel language the internet gave her. Because when you live in a world that’s always teaching girls to perform toughness and boys to perform dominance — even the victims start playing along. There are no neat lines here. And that’s what makes the show so hard to watch — and so necessary. We don’t need more strong daughters. We need kinder sons. We’ve told girls to speak up, defend themselves, “be bold.” Now it’s time we start telling boys that strength isn’t about silence, or power, or control. That it’s okay to cry. That it’s good to be kind. That respect isn’t a favour, it's basic. And to do that, we need to give them real role models — not just alpha male influencers or “nice guys” with entitlement issues. We need teachers, uncles, coaches, politicians, fathers — and yes, even boys raised by strong women — to show them that masculinity can look like care. The real question isn't who killed Katie. It’s what killed all of them? What killed Jamie’s empathy? What killed Katie’s compassion? What killed our ability to see the signs? We won’t fix this with one campaign or one conversation. But we can start naming the systems that are failing our kids — and start building new ones. Because Adolescence doesn’t just show us what happened. It warns us what’s coming. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

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? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS