Content Notes: chronic illness, disability, medical anxiety, seizures (non-graphic), hospitals/medical testing, crowds, transportation anxiety.
Welcome to The Crippled Cryptid.
Disability, chronic illness, service dogs, and survival without the performance.
If you’re new here, hi. I’m Sky.
Professional cryptid.
Unwilling amateur cyborg.
Trainer class: Medically Complicated.
My Pokédex is full of rare conditions, my chart reads like a boss fight, and my nervous system thinks it’s PvP at all times. I cope with sarcasm, snacks, and the quiet understanding that some battles are endurance runs, not speed trials.
Most days are lived in a haunted meat suit with a questionable warranty. I spend a lot of time in Bed Jail™, grinding rest points and waiting out status effects. I’m rarely alone, though.
There’s Luna, my medical alert service dog.
Guardian. Enforcer. Party leader.
She doesn’t miss a cue, and she never lets me ignore a warning sign.
There’s also M&M.
My Player 2.
My evolution stone.
The one who shows up when I’m out of spoons and low on HP. She makes soup. She gives headpats. She keeps the save file safe. Her favorites are Eevee and Vaporeon, which feels correct for someone so adaptable, steady, and quietly powerful.
As for me-
I favor the misunderstood ones.
Mimikyu, stitched together with love and longing.
Gengar, grinning at the edge of the dark.
Creatures that are spooky, loyal, and soft in the ways that matter.
This space is for chronic illness without inspiration porn.
Disability without apologies.
Love without pretending it’s always neat or easy.
On Pokémon Day, of all days, this is a place for trainers who learned early that the game isn’t always fair- but we play anyway.
If you’ve been here before, welcome back.
If you’re new, you’ll find your footing.
Welcome to the tall grass.
On today’s menu: Pokémon Day.
Pokémon Day! 🟡🔴
Hello, fellow Trainers.
If you didn’t know, today is February 27th, marking the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.
I know some of you might be rolling your eyes and saying Pokémon is just for kids. If that’s you, this is your cue to click away. You’re welcome back for future posts- but this one belongs to the ’90s kids who grew up with the franchise.
That said, we’re not clique-y here. If you’re new to Pokémon and just as excited as we are, you’re welcome to stay. Curiosity counts.
This is one of those rare, once-in-a-generation milestones, and of course we’re marking it here. Pokémon was part of my childhood- watching the cartoon, opening random cards from Happy Meals, and feeling like there was a whole secret world tucked just out of reach.
If you’re old like me, you might remember when Pokémon: The First Movie came out and McDonald’s and Burger King were giving out the gold Pokémon card toys. I still have mine tucked away in the attic. I got Jigglypuff, when all I really wanted was Pikachu.
And nostalgia isn’t the only thing happening.
Pokémon in Chicago
This year, the Field Museum in Chicago is hosting the Pokémon Fossil Museum, running from May 22, 2026 through April 11, 2027.
I don’t love going into Chicago unless I absolutely have to– but this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. Unless we’re hopping a plane to Japan, this might be the only chance we ever get to see something like this. And if you didn’t know already, your ghoul doesn’t like planes.
So, M&M and I are going.
It’s already been decided. And yes, we are excited.
That means a train, probably an Uber, and almost certainly a little anxiety- unless I can convince my older brother to drive us. Jury’s still out.
There isn’t a ton of information yet, but the sneak peeks on TikTok have been genuinely incredible. Same goes for what’s been floating around the rest of social media.
And importantly: the Field Museum is accessible.
And yes- Luna will be coming with us. (Only if weather permits.)
The Field Museum welcomes trained service animals, which immediately earns them a gold star in my book. Accessibility isn’t a bonus feature or a courtesy; it’s the reason disabled people get to experience wonder in the first place. Places that follow the law, respect service dogs, and don’t make disabled visitors jump through hoops deserve to be praised loudly.
We love an accessible venue.
We show up for the ramps, the elevators, the seating, and the understanding that disabled people belong in spaces built for awe.
Go Fest, Go Slow
Another Pokémon event happening in Chicago this year is Pokémon GO Fest, held at Grant Park from June 5–7.
If you’re anything like my younger brother, you might be wondering if people still play Pokémon GO. The answer is yes- especially in doctor’s offices, where waiting rooms double as gyms and boredom is undefeated.
Also useful when you’re avoiding calling another Uber because the last one was more focused on their phone than the road. Ask me how I know.
One thing worth noting: no alcohol is currently planned for the event.
I know some folks immediately ask, “Why?”
Because it’s meant to be family-friendly. Because people deserve to feel safe. Because no one wants Team Rocket getting drunk and ruining the day.
That kind of chaos helps no one.
For us, Go Fest is a maybe. Surgery schedules, seizure diagnostics, and my body’s general refusal to provide a clear roadmap mean we’ll have to decide later.
What is certain is that if we’re already in the city, we’ll be stopping in Chinatown for groceries- and probably dumplings- because hot pot fixes a surprising number of things.
Especially in the spring, when the ice finally lets go.
And as a small, delightful aside- this year is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Which feels fitting, considering Rapidash is, in fact, a fire horse. I’m choosing to take that as a good omen: movement, resilience, a little chaos, and the kind of strength that looks graceful even when it’s working hard.
If something here hit close to home, you’re not alone.
If you stayed anyway, thank you.
Not every journey ends with a badge.
Not every victory looks flashy.
Some of us measure progress in fewer flares, quieter nights, and one more day survived without fainting.
You don’t have to evolve to be worthy.
You don’t have to be shiny to belong.
You don’t have to earn your place here.
Thirty years of Pokémon taught a lot of us how to love strange creatures, form unlikely bonds, and keep going even when the path curves into the dark. That lesson still matters.
Rest when you need to.
Save often.
Travel with those who choose you back.
-Sky
© The Crippled Cryptid
Disability. Honesty. A little chaos.
(And a little dog fur.)
🔗 https://linktr.ee/skylanarissa
No pressure to donate. Reading and sharing count.
If you want to support the long, unglamorous work of survival and mobility:
💜 https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-skys-journey-to-health-and-mobility
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