Content/Trigger Warning: This post includes mentions of car accidents, near-death experiences, cPTSD, medical issues, and chronic illness flare-ups. Please read with care.
Welcome back to The Crippled Cryptid–
A cozy corner of the internet where disability, chronic illness, service dogs, and everyday magic all sit at the same table. This is a space built on honesty, humor, advocacy, and the beautifully chaotic reality of living in a haunted meat-suit that doesn’t always cooperate. Whether you’re here for education, solidarity, or just a safe place to set your bones down and breathe, I’m glad you found your way back. Pull up a chair, grab something warm, and let’s dive in together.
This past weekend, the Midwest got a sharp reminder that winter isn’t waiting for anyone’s schedule. A record-breaking snowstorm swept through, leaving roads treacherous and sidewalks impossible to navigate without risking life and limb. For those of us living with chronic illness or mobility challenges, it was… well, let’s call it an event. There’s something humbling about being forced to slow down, sip your hot beverage, and watch the world through frosty windows, while the chaos of a storm reminds you that even the mundane- like going to the food pantry- can become an adventure (one we wouldn’t have embarked on if we didn’t have to).
I hope everyone had a safe, happy Thanksgiving if you’re in the US and celebrating. Over here, we’re still working through nearly 19 pounds of leftover turkey and sides.
We didn’t make quite as much as I originally expected, but the spread was still amazing: an 18.5-pound turkey, homemade stuffing and gravy (thanks to M&M’s aunt Lise walking us through it on the phone), homemade cranberry sauce, apple pie, rolls from Sam’s Club, corn, and green beans. The star of the show for me? M&M’s pineapple upside-down cake, which she’s promised to make again for New Year’s and my birthday- I’m very excited. And of course, the appetizers: little BBQ sausages that the Yard Yeti devoured, a cheese ball, a cheese board, and plenty of fresh veggies.
Luna’s highlight? Tom, her new turkey toy.
She also got her very own dog-safe turkey feast.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see my uncle and his girlfriend show up in the end- so even though we didn’t have a huge family function, it was nice to share dinner with someone.
The post-Thanksgiving weekend brought its own trials, though. M&M and I had to venture out to the food pantry despite the snow, and our original ride fell through. While I’m grateful we made it home safely, I do have a few choice words for Uber: if you’re going to drive in dangerous winter conditions, please know how to handle snow and keep your eyes on the road instead of your phone. The driver we had nearly went the wrong way on the highway while distracted, putting everyone at risk, and all I got from support was a half-hearted apology and no refund. Almost $30 thrown out the window for a ride that felt more like a near-death experience than transportation.
If you know us, or have been following some of my recent content, you know that the two of us were just in a life-altering car accident not long ago. You can imagine that we were riding our cPTSD pretty hard. M&M clung to my hand- we both yelled as she corrected the driver going the wrong way on the highway- and while we avoided a major accident, it didn’t make the situation any less frightening, or any better.
After all, M&M still shouldn’t be under too much stress after her seizure and concussion, and I shouldn’t be under too much stress after the airbags used my head like a ping-pong ball. Both of us are still walking with canes or in my case my rollator when applicable- but I digress.
Unfortunately, when it was time to leave the pantry, ride prices had tripled and wait times were nearly half an hour in dangerous conditions. Part of me worried our ride might cancel entirely, but I wasn’t about to tell M&M- she was already stressing about the first driver and the bad weather. Fortunately, some friends at the pantry noticed we were waiting and offered to take us home, even though it was out of their way. We still gave them $15 from my emergency stash, though they insisted it wasn’t necessary. It reminded me that kindness exists everywhere—even in poverty, even in dangerous conditions, even when people have their own struggles. Without them, we could have been stranded- or paying $50+ for another dangerous Uber ride.
The snow is still on the ground- nearly nine inches, with more on the way- a record for a November day in Illinois. It’s been brutal on the body, especially if your chronic illnesses decide now is a good time to flare. To top it off, I think I’ve caught a cold, maybe from wet gloves or my fracture boot failing to keep my feet warm and dry. The extra cold protocol (vitamin C, elderberry, and B12) isn’t helping much yet, but I’m hoping to bounce back soon. Once I do, we can start to think about decorating for the rest of the holidays.
Someone please tell Snow Miser to leave small-town Illinois alone. I’m begging.
(If not, it’s Buckley’s for me- and if you know anything about Buckley’s, you know it tastes like hell but works. Still the best cough and cold medicine out there, even if it feels like being tortured.)
Did anyone brave Black Friday this year? Were any of the deals worth it?
From what I’ve seen on TikTok, stores were crowded, and the “swag bags” at Target were underwhelming. Honestly, I’m almost glad we didn’t have a car this year- not that we would have gone out anyway.
Fractured legs + Black Friday shopping? Absolutely not.
Personally, I want to do nothing more than curl up under the blankets and sleep until spring, but I know that isn’t an option.
There’s far too much to do, like prepping for my MRI on the 7th.
Stay warm, everyone.
-Sky
Written with coffee in hand, from inside my Nightmare Before Christmas onesie, with Luna snoring like a tiny jet engine beside me.
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