Differently Normal NZ

01/03/2026

March 15 LONG COVID
Long covid awareness. Want to advocate but lack the energy? COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project (C19LAP) has you covered! On it’s Month Website it has a calendar of events and participation guides to help individuals and advocates prepare and participate.
It has daily graphics, profile graphics, posters, etc, to download. 'Fact of the day with youtube info'. There's a 4.5 minute video guide to the website. https://youtu.be/t48DSF7BCjQ?si=sO3h_KjUZ4dRklJs
All actions are designed for low energy
It is US focused, but it is still very applicable for Aotearoa.
the idea is that you can
Share or repost the daily video across your platforms
Add your own lived experience or perspective to the conversation
Elevate the content in any way you can across platforms
Follow them on Social Media and Share 'Our Fact of the Day' Daily Throughout March

27/02/2026

Life with lymphoedema means looking different, and needing to do some things differently. 'Average' people often just don't get it - making all sorts of assumptions - like that by putting your feet up you are being lazy and selfish, not realising it's an important strategy to manage your condition! These keyring cards give a quick way to explain it.

From our website, browse by condition - lymphoedema. (see link direct to this card in the comments)

19/02/2026

Having means needing people to understand the symptoms, limitations, and variability that it involves. But at the same time, the and can also take away the ability to think and speak clearly - making explaining it a real challenge - or impossible. As a result this is one of our most popular cards as it provides a way of explaining without speaking.

You can find these cards, and many others relevant to fibromyalgia on our website. Browse by condition < fibromyalgia.

12/02/2026

Well said. Thank you

CCI Support Stands with International Best Practice for ME/CFS & Long COVID.

At CCI Support, we align with international best practice guidelines for the management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID. We do not support the use of Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as primary treatments, as these approaches have been shown to cause harm.

For decades, GET and CBT were promoted by a small group of psychiatrists under the belief that ME/CFS was a disorder of perception. However, extensive research now confirms that exertion worsens symptoms—what we now recognise as Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).

The global shift away from these outdated therapies follows key reports, including:

📌 The 2015 Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine, USA) report, which affirmed that ME/CFS is a serious biomedical illness requiring urgent attention.

📌 The 2020 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK) review, which reinforced that GET and CBT are not appropriate treatments.

As research evolves, so must healthcare practices. CCI Support remains committed to evidence-based, compassionate care that prioritises the well-being of those living with ME/CFS and Long COVID.

For more information and resources:
www.ccisupport.org.nz

29/01/2026

Another little change I've made to the website is that I now have a category under 'browse by symptom' for all the condition explanation cards - so if someone has lots of diagnoses, they can browse through them all in one place. This photo is just a few of the many conditions we cover

22/01/2026

Thanks, Hannah for explaining what you do and why. We're proud to be your Kiwi stockists! 😊

08/01/2026

I wear this badge regularly (not that I'm able to go out much). It helps me with being upfront and unashamed.

So often people assume that disability doesn't exist if it can't be seen. And even when there is an element that can be seen - people will still often dismiss the parts that aren't obvious. For example, as a wheelchair user, I've had people say to me "Oh, at least it doesn't affect your brain!"...er... the brain fog, inability to process, inability to think or read, having to carefully schedule times to reply to emails to maximise my ability to function as needed. They *really* struggled to grasp it - that I could look happy and still have my brain affected by my condition (don't get me started on the looking happy = can't be disabled really!)

Anyways, your reminder that disability that isn't obvious is still just as real and just as disabling!

19/12/2025

Christmas is an odd time when you have a disability. We've had to make new downsized traditions. Before Long Covid, I'd make it a big event: music, baking, Santa hats; I even wrote poems....it was very jolly!
My family know how much I love this time of year. They sent me this meme, which is accurate!
Being the Kiwi stockist for Stickman Communications has been a new adventure for me, I love how the resources help people advocate for themselves in a lightly humorous manner.
I wish you all a good and joyful Christmas, no matter how different it is to what you would like it to be.
Roll on, 2026, 🎄🎁🥰❤️🫖

17/12/2025

13/12/2025

Living with chronic conditions can mean that symptoms that seem extreme for others are our 'normal'. Self care in these instances isn't frivolous, it is sometimes the only medicine we can take.
Rest well, Stickman Communications by Hannah Ensor and take good care of yourself ❤️

It's been an exceptionally busy week - and sure enough it's caught up with me! Limbs are heavy. Swallowing is hard. Can't concentrate. But this is all within my normal and I know the path through it, so I've taken myself to bed and am nesting all day today. Might progress to Poirot later, but currently on Terry Pratchett audiobook and watching clouds.

03/12/2025

This can be a difficult season to get through.🎄 Pacing and time-outs can be crucial, and remembering what is most important

30/11/2025

One of my most essential things for the Christmas period is giving myself breaks.

Making sure I regularly step back, take stock of my symptom levels so that I can manage them, and recharge. Otherwise symptoms (especially , , and ) slowly increase without me noticing until they are really severe and might take days to recover from.
These little time-outs give me space to breathe, regroup and plan what strategies I might need to use - just like in a basketball game. Strategies like wearing ear plugs, lying down for an activity, not going out 2 days in a row, changing position, using gift bags instead of wrapping everything, pre-prep foods, more wheelchair use, naps, etc. If I take these breaks, I have a far more enjoyable time, and crash out far less.

So here's to lots of breaks for everyone who needs them over the Christmas period!