The Spoonie’s Writing Room- Tips & Products for Creating an Adaptive Writing Atmosphere

Writing is hard and has challenges unique to every author, but this is especially true for disabled writers.

Sitting for extended periods of time while hunched over a computer typing for hours or days at a time can wear the disabled writer down very quickly. At times, disabled writers might feel the need to choose between taking care of their health or grinding word count goals, which is why it is so important that the disabled writer creates an inclusive, adaptive writing atmosphere unique to their needs.

I can’t speak for every writer with a disability, but as a disabled writer myself, I can share what I found works best for me. There are good days and bad days, and periods where I go weeks without being able to write due to health complications. But I never stop trying, and finding ways to make my writing work with my disability, makes all the difference in being able to write at all.

Being disabled is a full-time job. While I have a cluster of medical conditions, the main issues that impact my ability to writer are Classic Ehlers Danlos (cEDS and EDS), Isolated Cataplexy, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), and my post-Interstitial Cystitis bladder removal. I use a walker, and I’m also a part-time ambulatory wheelchair user. Because of my Ehlers Danlos, I live with progressive issues related to connective tissue. My entire body is affected, and I deal with intense physical pain that requires daily medication to control. With my bladder removal, I have a urinary diversion called and Indiana Pouch. The maintenance on my pouch and the amount of time I now take to use the restroom is insane and takes up half of my day each and every day. It’s time consuming and frustrating to be chronically ill and disabled.

Between needing breaks because of my EDS, the time-consuming upkeep of my Indiana Pouch, the pain PFD causes while sitting, and my medication schedule, most of my day is consumed with handling my daily medical care. I’ve also had multiple surgeries every year for the last four years, and this will mostly likely continue for the rest of my life. With my surgery recoveries, I experience many complications because of my EDS diagnosis that include poor wound healing and frequent infections. I have yet to have a surgery where I didn’t have complications that lengthened recovery times significantly.

On bad days, life can get complicated very quickly, and this creates significant challenges to my writing process. Just this month, I’ve been in the emergency room twice, having been taken in by ambulance for one of this times. I dislocated my diaphragm, developed kidney stones, have a kidney infection, and have a concussion after passing out from the pain and hitting my head on the EMS gurney.

To say that writing has been complicated is an understatement. I’m not only writing this novel for the pure joy of it; I need a polished manuscript to complete my final thesis course and graduate, and I start this ten-week course on Monday! Thankfully, I have disability accommodations at school that help with rearranging deadlines when needed. I use my accommodations often no matter how I try to prevent this from happening, but those are only valid for assignment deadlines. They have nothing to do with making sure that I can write with my disability.

So how do I help myself remain committed to my writing while also taking care of my health? I find products to assist in making writing more comfortable and assessable for my unique needs.

Here are my tips and products for creating an adaptive writing experience:

Make sure you have software that supports your needs. I like using the dictation function in Microsoft Word or Scrivener, but you can also use programs like Dragon Speech Technology, Brania, or Google Voice Typing. You can also take this one step further and go beyond writing the novel to incorporate speech-to-text when it comes to planning, outlining, or taking notes. Handheld recording devices, and phone/tablet/computer dictation apps can be used for everything you might write or type by hand.
Keep your most used supplies close to you in easy to reach places and plan ahead to have everything you need in the room with you before you start writing. Whether this be drinks and snacks or pins and notebooks, keeping supplies close to you makes a world of difference to how quickly you might burn yourself out with getting up and down to retrieve things.
Use furniture aids and other desk/office items to make sure you stay comfortable. I will list some of my favorite furniture aids below, but these can include anything from having a cushion in your favorite chair to installing a workstation mount of your chair or having a dual computer display and a foot stool. Incorporate whatever you need to sit or lay comfortably to write.
Create more than one space to write using disability aids. While it’s great to have an office or favorite writing spot, bad days might mean writing in bed. Having a plan and products in place to make different writing spaces accessible can create a better quality of life while writing.
Take breaks as your health needs them without guilt tripping yourself. Your can’t write if you’re not taking care of yourself. Creating a writing schedule with breaks or simply taking breaks based on body cues are great ways to make sure you are listening to your needs to keep from running yourself into the ground.

And here are the products I love most for making writing easier on bad days:

Electric Kettle & Beverage/Snack Cart– I love having a beverage and snack cart. I live in a two-story house, and I can’t walk up and down the stairs repeatedly throughout the day. When I’m upstairs, a beverage cart makes all the difference in making sure I take care of myself while avoiding unnecessary physical activity on days when I can’t handle it.
Coffee Mug Warmer– Keep from having to make multiple trips to heat up beverages.
Adjustable Folding Stool- This is a great product that is wide with an adjustable height. It’s also easy to transport in, out, and around the house.
Amazon Echo– Having Echo has made a world of difference. Alexa can help with research by simply asking her questions. She will make notes for you that you can later ask her to read out for you, and it makes research more accessible to those who can’t write easily.
Portable Neck Fan– For those medication hot flashes or dysautonomia symptoms. This fan has been a lifesaver for days when menopause hot flashes or medication flushing have me so uncomfortable.
Extra Thick Gel Cushion– Being able to sit comfortably in any chair is a game changer. I love this cushion. It’s a large size, super comfortable, and comes with a slip cover. This price point is also excellent.
Laptop Bed Tray Table with Drawers– Not only is this an adjustable table that fits the needs of plus-size patients or those of us with stomas or issues with our abdomen, it also has drawers that allow you to keep pens, highlighters, or sticky notes in convenient places. This is the most sturdy tray table I’ve ever had, and the table top is adjustable as well. A little pricey, but well worth it!
Laptop Tray– Great for sitting on couches or in beds. Can also be easily used in ER waiting rooms or doctor’s offices during prolonged treatments.
Double Reading Pillow/Back Rest– This is one of my favorite products. It fits plus-size bodies very well, and while pricey, is well worth it to have a comfortable back pillow that fits my body type. It has cup holders, pockets, and extra support pillows.
Keyboard and Laptop Mount for Computer Chairs– This is one of the best disability aid purchases I have every made. I need to lean back in my chair to type. This mount makes it possible. It’s fully adjustable and fits most keyboard, allowing room for support pads and a mouse.
Overbed Table- While you can find smaller, hospital-style bed tables, I wanted something that could be left up full-time and still match the decor of the bedroom while also allowing ample room for anything I might need.
Book Stand– Having to sit back at an angle to write means that I can’t also be bent over my desk reading. Book stands allow me to place my planning materials where I can see them.

Where Can I Find Free of Discounted Products?

Libraries, county surplus stores, thrift stores, social services, vocational rehabilitation, and mobile crisis departments can be great resources for getting help with accessing accessibility programs or in finding products to help make working easier.

If you are attending school in any capacity and set up disability services, the accessibility departments have programs they can offer for free. They might also have lists of companies or organizations that help provide aids and other products free of charge or heavily discounted.

Also consider talking to your local medical supply company or insurance company to see what options can be accessed through these avenues.

While there are many other products and tips that could be beneficial, these are the ones that I have found to be some of the most helpful. Writing can be inclusive with the write tools to support those of us who are disabled, and even if you’re not, many of these products can help to create a more comfortable writing experience.

Have a product you enjoy using?

Drop it in the comments for others to find.