I have to say, this has been a very weird day for me: I feel gross admitting this, but as a brain stem stroke survivor, it’s been really triggering to see how funny people think Trump’s possible strokes are, for two reasons:

First, I have many of the physical ticks people are pointing out. I’m still insecure and embarrassed. That’s going to MULTIPLY as we make jokes about this. And second, he’s not fit to lead— whether he’s had a stroke or not. If he’s not neuro-compromised, he’s still immoral.

So here’s the thing: post-stroke, I get tired. I have right side weakness. I have tics. I have neuropathy. I get headaches & nerve twitches and tremors, and I have a hard time walking. Honestly? All of those things probably make me unfit to be president. I don’t have the energy.

I’m not the president, so that works out. I’d never run, either. But I don’t think it’s particularly hilarious that my options are limited because my brain stem gave out. We have to keep our eyes on the facts, here: he’s not fit to lead because he’s a megalomaniac.

He doesn’t care about you. He’s trying to hide his tax returns. He wants to dismantle the post office because he’s insecure about the election. He is militarizing against protestors. Make no mistake, he is a bad person—but he’s always been a bad person. Look up women he’s raped.

Keep your eyes on what’s important here: he is unfit. We don’t need to make fun of chronic illness— a thing that he has intentionally made it harder to have, by the way, a thing that Medicare for all would help solve— to express why we need to vote him out.

I think it feels grossest to me because when he made fun of the reporter with special needs, we all jumped to call out his bad behavior. So #Strokeahontas? Really? You say you hate him: good. But then don’t act like him, for crying out loud.

Anyway, as my symptoms have been at an all-time high in the last week or so, as I’ve contemplated mobility and the future, this is poor timing to see how hilarious the world finds the plight. Be better.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk on ableism and how jackasses should be judged on the choices they make and their character, not physical disabilities they have no control over.