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Vikky Leaney

@vikkyleaney

Academic, writer and activist. Bridging science and self-care for neurodivergent women managing chronic illness.

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19.11.2024
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Latest posts by Vikky Leaney @vikkyleaney

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The Oura Ring: A Tiny Tech Companion Part jewellery, part data scientist — but for many women who are neurodivergent or living with chronic illness, it’s quietly revolutionary.

I've just started experimenting with the Oura Ring to see if it can help me with pacing.

This first article introduces why I’m trying it out and what I hope to gain. I’ll share more soon.

#OuraRing #Pacing #ChronicIllness #Neurodivergent #EnergyManagement #SelfCare #ChronicFatigue #ADHD #Autism

08.04.2025 11:18 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Scientists say that "Grandma Hobbies" could be a secret key to happiness Time to pick up those knitting needles!

I can get on board with this 👌

#Wellbeing #selfcare #happiness #hobbies

www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a6...

01.04.2025 21:11 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Well, That Escalated Quickly: My Unexpected Journey to an hEDS Diagnosis I’m running a bit behind on this instalment of my ongoing series about life as a neurodivergent, chronically ill female—emphasis on “a bit behind.”

Late diagnosis life: apparently I’ve had hEDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) this whole time, not just fibromyalgia.

Throw in #dysautonomia & #MCAS and my body’s basically glitching like an old computer.

#hEDS #ChronicPain #Disability #Neurodivergent #SpoonieLife #EhlersDanlos #ChronicIllness

31.03.2025 09:13 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? YouTube video by Vikky Leaney

Curious about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? It’s a set of genetic disorders that weakens the body’s connective tissues, affecting everything from joint mobility to skin elasticity. Check out our video for more insight.

#EhlersDanlos #Hypermobility #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Neurodivergent

26.03.2025 19:04 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Neurodivergent women are incredibly resilient, even when we misplace our keys! Grit Happens!💪✨

vikkyleaney.substack.com/p/grit-happens

#Neurodiversity #Resilience #Empowerment #grit #angeladuckworth #adhd #neurodivergent

25.03.2025 12:35 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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International Day of Happiness: Confessions from the Diary of a Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill… Diary of a Chronically Ill Neurodivergent Female: Week Eleven

Today is #InternationalHappinessDay, and I’ve written a love letter to the messy, unconventional, glorious joy of life as a neurodivergent, chronically ill woman.

Spoiler: happiness doesn’t always look like a stock photo.

#Neurodivergent #ChronicIllness #ADHD #Neurodiversity #ChronicPain #Autism

20.03.2025 11:07 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Five books to make you feel hopeful about the world, according to Rachel Joyce If you are in the market for a life-affirming read, look no further

5 books that can make us feel hopeful. Let's face it, we could all do with a bit of hope right now.

#books #hope #wellbeing #mentalhealth

19.03.2025 09:08 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Empowering Neurodivergent Women to Self-Advocate Women who are neurodivergent and/or live with chronic illnesses often face unique challenges in a society that does not always value or accommodate their needs.

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Read my article on empowering Neurodivergent Women to Self-Advocate.

#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek #NDW

18.03.2025 13:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Starmer urged to introduce wealth tax instead of cutting disability benefits – UK politics live Diane Abbott says a wealth tax of 2% on people with assets over £10m would raise £24bn a year Peter Walker has more from Diane Abbott’s interview on the Today programme this morning. Good morning. “You want me to cut £1bn. Shall I take £100 each off 10…

Starmer urged to introduce wealth tax instead of cutting disability benefits – UK politics live

17.03.2025 09:48 👍 899 🔁 219 💬 61 📌 60
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Why are suicide rates so high in bipolar disorder, and what can we do about it? The celebrity chef’s story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bipolar disorder.

The celebrity chef’s story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bipolar disorder.

15.03.2025 07:12 👍 12 🔁 3 💬 3 📌 1
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Who am I? Losing Myself to Chronic Illness Grappling with a long list of diagnoses and a neurodivergent child.

Living with chronic illness while parenting a neurodivergent child is overwhelming, all consuming and identity shattering.

#chronicillness #neurodivergent #parenting #autism #adhd #chronicpain

14.03.2025 15:09 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Vaccinate your children! There are parents around the world who would do ANYTHING to even have the option to vaccinate their children. Measles kills.

#measles #vaccination #parenting

12.03.2025 12:24 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Time? What Time? Time Blindness as a Neurodivergent Woman.

Do you get lost in your own thoughts? Always leaving early to only be late again? Time Blindness explained.

#adhd #timeblindness #neurodivergent

11.03.2025 16:11 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Navigating New Beginnings: 10 Pitfalls to Avoid When Starting a New Chapter in Life - Dr Margaretha Montagu Thinking of starting a new chapter in life? Maybe you feel like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, and you are hesitating to leap into the void. What if something goes wrong? That’s what…

“Before jumping into a new chapter, review your #values. Make sure your #decisions reflect what’s most important to you, or you may find yourself #unhappy even in the midst of success”: buff.ly/4gL86IB

#SelfIdentity #success
By MargarethaMontagu

10.03.2025 13:30 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Hillingdon woman adapts clothes to help neurodivergent shoppers Amelie Rule, 21, says her own shopping experience inspired her clothing business.

As a neurodivergent woman with chronic pain, I often find clothes uncomfortable. This amazing woman with ADHD adapts clothing for neurodivergent shoppers.

#neurodivergent #adhd #clothing

09.03.2025 11:27 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Starmer Must Choose Between The US And Europe Europe is a far more compatible partner for the UK than an authoritarian US. Failing to realise this could have catastrophic consequences for our c...

Starmer must choose between Europe & the US, writes Labour MP @labourlewis.bsky.social

Failing to do so is "dangerously misguided"

Europe is a "distinctly more compatible" partner, whereas the US right now is "ugly, authoritarian, proto-fascism"

"A bridge between continents is no longer viable"

08.03.2025 09:31 👍 121 🔁 37 💬 20 📌 2
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Life in Pain: Fibromyalgia and Me Living with Chronic Pain.

Chronic pain isn’t just discomfort—it’s exhaustion, unpredictability, and a daily battle to function. In my latest piece, I share my experience of living with fibromyalgia and the coping strategies that help me keep going.

#ChronicPain #Fibromyalgia #women #chronicillness #neurodivergent

06.03.2025 13:22 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Silent Taunts and Anonymous Notes Protecting Your Autistic Child from Subtle Bullying.

My 9-year-old autistic daughter found an anonymous letter mocking her love of animals—her special interest. Subtle bullying is real, and autistic kids are especially vulnerable. Here's how I'm handling it & how we can support neurodivergent children.

#Autism #Bullying #discrimination

04.03.2025 14:45 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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The Comparison Trap Why We Measure Ourselves Against the Wrong People

How comparing ourselves to the wrong people can make us feel a whole lot worse.

#neurodivergent #chronicillness #socialcomparison

26.02.2025 16:39 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Co-regulating with my Neurodivergent Daughter Shared Spaces, Different Needs: Supporting Each Other’s Sensory Challenges

Parenting a neurodivergent child while also being neurodivergent yourself is hard work.

#neurodivergent #parenting #autism #adhd

25.02.2025 12:34 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia, saying it could have made a deal President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’

Like he'd concede an inch!! This can only be likened to blaming a rape victim for wearing revealing clothing.

#ukraine #trump #russia

19.02.2025 18:17 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Hormones and ADHD in Women Understanding the Hormone Sensitivity Theory and PMDD.

How hormones make ADHD so much worse. Puberty, pregrancy, perimenopause and PMDD. Women have a raw deal.

#adhd #hormones #Women #pmdd #mentalhealth

18.02.2025 14:48 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Confessions of a Secret Eater Understanding Binge Eating Disorder and ADHD.

I open up about being a secret eater and how it differs from comfort eating. Binge eating disorder is common in women with ADHD.

#bingeeating #adhd #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth

12.02.2025 13:55 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Alesha Dixon’s 3 powerful values for raising confident, strong daughters 'Everyone is unique and has something to offer. That’s the dialogue my mum gave to me. So that’s what I’ll be saying to my girls'

Alesha Dixon cites authenticity, self-acceptance and exercise as her most powerful values. Yep, I'm with you! Just need to work on the last one a bit more 🏋️

#authenticity #selfacceptance #wellbeing #mentalhealth #aleshadixon #womenshealth

12.02.2025 11:00 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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‘It’s how we make sense of the world’: why are we all obsessed with gossip? In her new book, Normal Gossip podcaster Kelsey McKinney explores our unending interest in talking about other people behind their backs

Gossip is one of the ways we bond with others and spread information. It is the intention of the 'gossip' that makes the difference. Gossip doesn't have to be malicious.

#gossip #socialinteraction #socialrelationships #wellbeing

11.02.2025 10:02 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Why Late Diagnoses Hit Different Ever wondered why life always felt harder than it should? Discover the wild ride of late neurodivergent diagnosis—grief, relief, and finally, self-acceptance.

I can totally relate. A late diagnosis of ADHD or/and autism takes more of a toll due to feeling defective most of your life.

#adhd #neurodivergence #autism #mentalhealth

10.02.2025 12:49 👍 7 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 1
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“DEI – and Neurodivergence – Are Under Attack” “Neurodiversity is an often-forgotten aspect of DEI programs, and the obliteration of these initiatives will spell disastrous consequences for Americans with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodive...

Just when I think things are getting better for #neurodivergent peeps, a bigoted idiot is elected to wash it all away.

#DEI #neurodivergence #adhd #autism #AuADHD #equality

08.02.2025 11:56 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Hamas releases widower of British woman in hostage swap

Three Israeli civilian hostages, including the husband of a British woman, have been released by Hamas in Gaza under the ceasefire agreement.

Eli Sharabi, whose wife and two daughters were killed during the October 7 attacks, was freed along with Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy on Saturday morning

08.02.2025 10:31 👍 22 🔁 11 💬 2 📌 1
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I’m a doctor with ADHD and this is where we’re going wrong We speak to a leading specialist about the link between ADHD, hypermobility and inflammation – and how to excel with the condition

British psychiatrist talks about link between ADHD and hypermobility and other physical conditions.

#adhd #hypermobility #mentalhealth #jameskustow

07.02.2025 11:22 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Thanks Andrew. I do try pacing. But easier said than done 🙄

06.02.2025 18:16 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0