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Cass Stewart

@designer.mae

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ND future OTD | disability justice advocate
🥄 narcolepsy x ADHD x OCD
fashion x function x access
📍 West Virginia | 🏳️‍🌈 ✝️

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July energy, 365 days a year. July is for celebrating how far we’ve come since the ADA was signed, but the other 11 months are for continuing the work. I couldn’t imagine doing that work with anyone else.

#DisabilityPrideMonth

Video Description: Text displayed in the video says “Disability Pride”. Behind the text are photos of Cass and her friends (Livi, Rachel, Olivia, & Grace) showing disabled joy and actively advocating for Disability Justice. The photos are displayed in two scrolling columns. by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

hi 👋🏼

#Narcolepsy #NarcolepsyNotAlone #ADHD #OCD #DisabledContentCreator #RisingVoices

Alt text on image.

ID: (1) A portrait-style photo of Cass smiling warmly at the camera. She has short dark hair, large geometric glasses, a septum ring, and multiple ear piercings. She is wearing a deep red sweater, and the background is softly blurred with pink streamer decorations. White doodle accents, including stars and lines, frame the photo. Text on the image reads: “Hi my name is Cass!”

(2) A scrapbook-style graphic titled “Quick Facts About Me” is laid out on lined notebook paper with doodles. On the left is a cut-out childhood photo of a young Cass in a pink tutu dress, smiling with arms raised; doodles of hearts and stars surround the image. Text around the page shares personal facts such as being an Enneagram 2, a carpool karaoke queen, a research enthusiast, an avid reader, and a “chronic hobbyist.” On the right, text notes over 20 years of self-advocacy, a background in fashion design, being in OTD school, and being a trained patient advocate through the Rising Voices Program. The bottom section lists types of Instagram content: lived experience with ADHD, OCD, and type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy; alt text and image descriptions; collaborations; and life snippets. END ID. A smiling portrait of Cass wearing glasses and a red sweater, with white doodle accents and text that says “Hi my name is Cass!” by @designer.mae

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10 months ago

In 5th grade, I gave my first presentation on narcolepsy out of fear and desperation in an attempt to be understood by my current classmates and future teachers. In preparation to present as a Rising Voices Speaker at the WV Sleep Society Conference, I realize: I’m not that scared kid anymore. I’m someone who speaks, shares, builds, and fights, not just for myself, but for others too. Endlessly grateful to @project_sleep and @remrunner for helping me find my voice again, exactly when I needed it most.

And if you missed it, some amazing friends and I started a new disability justice coalition: @TheDISruptCoalition. Working alongside @_thehopetheory_, @itsgraceashlin, and the folks from @DISruptWestVirginia has been one of the greatest honors. We’re building a movement rooted in true community, one that sees and celebrates everyone at the intersections, especially those too often pushed to the margins.

ID: Slide labeled 1/11 with an accent graphic to add emphasis. The text reads: “How being a Rising Voices Speaker with Project Sleep helped me find my voice again, at a time I needed it most.” The text for the entire carousel is a mix of white and teal on a blue-green gradient background. END ID.

Alt text on image. ID continues in pinned comments.

#DisabilityJustice #NarcolepsyAwareness #NarcolepsyNotAlone #RisingVoices #DISrupt #DISruptors #DISruptWV #ProjectSleep #Advocacy Slide labeled 1/11 with an accent graphic to add emphasis. The text reads: “How being a Rising Voices Speaker with Project Sleep helped me find my voice again, at a time I needed it most.” The text for the entire carousel is a mix of white, black, and teal on a blue-green gradient background. by @designer.mae

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a year ago

22 years ago I was diagnosed type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy. I had planned a big post but none of the words felt right and I am too tired.

I’m in a period of constant effort, balancing my life right now takes most of my energy. I hope to return to more outward advocacy soon. Please check out my reposts of my community. ❤️

ID: Cass holding a box of wires that are connected to her face from her sleep study a few years ago. Text reads: World Narcolepsy Day, September 22nd. Cass holding a box of wires from her sleep study with text that reads world narcolepsy day september 22nd by @designer.mae

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25 days ago

chronic illness grief 🥀

grieving the you that was supposed to be
grieving the version of yourself you envisioned in your dreams
grieving as you stand still and life keeps moving without you
grieving the small things you took for granted
grieving the friendships and relationships that crumbled with your body
grieving the career you dreamed of, the hobbies you had, the life you envisioned
grieving not knowing a life without pain and symptoms
grieving what used to be
grieving the lost pieces of you, the ones you didn't realize you were losing until it was gone
grieving all the traveling and concerts and events you longed to go to
grieving the small moments, the laughs, the celebrations, the years you missed
grieving feeling like a real person and not a mere case number
grieving the life stolen from you by the chronic illness
grieving your inner child who is hurting and doesn't understand why the doctors aren't magically fixing you by @designer.mae

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2 months ago

A summer where the highs were high and the lows were low. A summer where she made it through surrounded by her village.

ID: Cass smiling with her hexagonish shaped glasses and a septum piercing. She has short wavy brown hair. She’s wearing a yellow and blue striped knit top with a backpack on. She also has her little OT student badge on, which is remarkable because she usually forgets it. END ID.

A summer where I grew closer to so many people but have no photos to show for it (we were having too much fun).

Video Description: Cass is messing with her hair, you can only see her from her brown sunglasses up and it’s in the evening time. END.

A summer where I was published for the first time.

ID: A screenshot of Sage Research Methods: Inclusive Research Methodologies. Her published work is called Inclusive Cognitive Interviewing: Using Visual Aids and Concept Mapping with Underrepresented Populations. She’s first author and worked with her beloved mentor, Dr. Angela Uriyo. END ID.

A summer where for $10 her and her bestie made a board game to celebrate 9 years of friendship.

ID: A close up of the rules for Bestie Roadtrip, a game that mashes a bunch of existing games together that could take a short time or a really long time to play. The background is colorful and whimsy board game style.

Text reads: “Follow the adventures of Cass and Julie! First to go to all the roadtrip stops wins! Rules: (1) Julie goes first (2) 2X Julie Bucks is a fast pass to the place you need to go next (3) If you land on a dance break, EVERYONE dances! *Taylor Swift only* END ID.

A summer of serving to my community. A summer where many hands make light work.

ID: Handmade get well cards for the local hospital. They have colorful bandaid designs with tiny hearts in the middle. There are four pictured, each a little different. END ID.

A summer of yes and laughter.

Video Description: Cass and Rachel are singing ‘I Bet You Think About Me’ by Taylor Swift at karaoke. They are dancing around and being silly. END. by @designer.mae

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2 months ago

Bringing back institutions for disabled people is not the vibe… It’s actually eugenics in action, and we need to talk about it!!

If you need to catch up, on June 18th the DOJ released a memo arguing that states are not required to provide home and community-based services for disabled people. Then on July 20th, they confirmed through a clarification in the Federal Register that the Olmstead Guidance (the main legal protection keeping disabled people out of institutions) is no longer enforceable under the ADA.

In simple terms, the federal government is walking away from its commitment to keep disabled people out of institutions.  While the 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court ruling continues to remain binding law and has not been overturned. The stripping of federal enforcement means states can defund community programs without consequence. This is not a coincidence, it is a strategy.

So are we able to do anything? As of now, all we can do is contact the DOJ’s Disability Rights Section directly. You can reach the Director of Disability Rights Section & Civil Rights Division, Luis Perez, at 202-320-6683.

Your voice matters, so use it!!!

*Alt Text on Images & ID in Comments*

#DisabilityJustice #HumanRights #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityRights #AccessIsAHumanRight Text on slide says, “For decades, disability advocates have relied on the ADA and the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision to protect the rights of disabled people to live in their communities rather than institutions.” Cutout photos of Livi, Cass, Olivia, and Grace smiling and having fun can be seen at the bottom of the slide. by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

THIS is what I mean when I say I have an invisible dynamic disability.

Just because you see me posting pictures outside of my house and having fun, does not mean that there isn’t more going on behind the scenes. Personally, I know that I have a tendency to pull away and not share with everyone when I am struggling with my symptoms.

The truth is these last few months have been filled with some of the worst, most severe symptoms I’ve ever had. Which is saying a lot! I’ve been homebound for over a year and a half now, only leaving for doctor’s appointments and the handful of times I’ve pushed myself to go to an event (which each time causes my symptoms to worsen).

But just because I don’t share every aspect of my conditions online does not mean they’re not there. Social media only shows a small snippet of my daily life.

Video Description: A mix of different video clips of Grace, a young white woman, outside of the house and having fun. Along with in a hospital setting or in bed, symptomatic and struggling. Lyrics for the song show up on screen, “What you see, is not always, what you get. A lesson we must not forget.”

#DisabilityPrideMonth #BabeWithAMobilityAid #DynamicDisability #InvisibleIllness #MakeTheMostOutOfLife by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

friends!!!!!

Alt text on image. ID: A group shot of cass and six of her friends (and baby) smiling outside in the sun. End ID. A group 7 friends, smiling outside, posed close together by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

But I mean truthfully, while we’ve made progress in the past, we’ve never truly stopped fighting for our rights. Whether it be for Disability, Civil, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and/or Woman’s Rights.

Disability Pride Month being in July as well, feels almost satirical this year considering the DOJ just released the memo claiming states do not need to fund community based care for disabled people just a few weeks ago.

Anyways, while it’s hard to be patriotic for a country that is currently spreading harmful rhetoric, let’s continue to fight for liberty and justice for ALL.

And Happy Disability Pride Month to everyone!!!

Video Description: Text on screen says “Being a kid in America these days means fighting for your fundamental human rights to not be stripped away from you.” Behind the text is a video of Grace, a young white woman, standing outside. She is wearing a black and white polka dot dress over jeans with black Mary Jane’s. Her wavy/curly hair is down, she is using a blue and green Vera Bradley purse, and is using a blue forearm crutch. It is a sunny day with green grass and trees in the background.

#4thOfJuly #July4th #DisabilityPrideMonth #HumanRights by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

🫪🤧🫠
not feeling super patriotic for a country actively stripping away my and my friends rights, forcing the eugenics of the disabled people so I'm just gonna watch bravo and do a face mask ig
happy disability pride month

#4thofjuly #july4th #fyp #disability #disabilitypride by @designer.mae

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3 months ago

disabled and chronically ill people do NOT belong in institutions

the DOJ is trying to commit eugenics against disabled people, real. life. people.

Here's the scoop: on June 18th, the DOJ released a memo essentially claiming that states don't have to fund community based care for disabled people (i.e. home family caregivers, etc). this is undoing DECADES of disability rights progress. the ACLU states that this is completely illegal under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

the DOJ wants states to defund community based care programs to push disabled, chronically ill, mentally ill, etc people REAL PEOPLE out of society where they can see them back into INSTITUTIONS

this proves that attacking section 504 was merely the beginning of dismantling disability rights

learn more here:
@aclu_nationwide

⋆˚𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖
#disability #humanrights #politics ##explorepage ugc taylor swift sabrina carpenter olivia rodrigo noah kahan chronic illness chronically ill rare fyp for you by @designer.mae

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4 months ago