"Spoonie"

So you’ve read the link to my blog and made the connection between my nom de plume and the first half.  Ruminari  – Ruminari.  We all get that, right?  But then you’ve looked at the second and gone, “What the heck does the spoonie part mean?”

Spoonie.  Noun.  An individual with an invisible medical condition or disability who lives by the Spoon Theory.

The Spoon Theory is a lovely essay written by Christine Miserandino describing her life as an individual with lupus.  The metaphor contained in the story is that, on a typical day, a typical person has an endless supply of “spoons,” which represent the energy and physical ability to do things.  Everything costs spoons–getting out of bed, showering, getting dressed, shopping, cooking, cleaning, going to school, hanging out with friends,…   Sure, a typical person may not have time to do everything, and they may be tired after a really long day, but they are physically capable of doing pretty much anything they wanted.  A person with a disability in contrast has to know how many spoons he or she has and spend them wisely.  Cleaning the house may mean that you won’t be able to do your grocery shopping.   Going to the doctor’s office may mean that you won’t be able to cook dinner tonight.

As a person with a physical disability, each day can be a struggle, and every action is a choice.  Most able-bodied people don’t realise how much extra effort it takes to add one more text book to your bag.  Or everything that’s involved with shaving your legs.  Or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  And there are some things that you may have to give up “forever,” like scrubbing the floor or going to amusement parks.

When you get up tomorrow, think about how you’re going to spend your spoons, and if you have a spoon to spare, come read The Spoon Theory.

(Originally posted on another of my blogs: http://ruminarispoonie.wordpress.com)