#ableismtellsme that when i can’t go to lectures/seminars/talks bc i’m already sensory overloaded that’s my fault and not the fault of rude attendees who chat, text, etc. thru events https://twitter.com/disinhighered/status/1300828274998812672

this might be a little one but the sensory overload from ppl’s noise during events where THEY are not the speaker i am supposed to be concentrating on has kept me from attending probably a solid 100 events over the last 3 years

if i could block it all out with earplugs, i would! but then i wouldn’t be able to listen to the speaker. instead, when i do go, i have to ration energy for it, sit in the front of the room, & leave as soon as possible when the event ends

my sensitivities haven’t always been this intense - the stress of phd school (plus internalized pressure to mask this stress from my colleagues & committee) has INTENSELY heightened them