Welcome back to the Lighthouse! As July comes to a close, so does Disability Pride Month. With the government deciding to basically pretend COVID doesn’t exist anymore to get people to “move on” (aka get back to work), a move that was easily set up by how ableist media covered COVID since the beginning, disabled organizations are struggling to figure out how to gather and continue to collaborate and celebrate without formal guidance to go on anymore and with less access to mitigation resources, especially when it comes to balancing differing access needs. There’s a summer wave happening across many areas of the United States, and despite many officials trying to downplay it, it sounds like more significant COVID waves are expected when fall and winter roll around. Every major news source continues to chorus the same lines about “personal protection” and vulnerable people taking it upon themselves alone to protect themselves, because why would we expect people in communities to care about one another, right? (That’s sarcasm, if it wasn’t clear!)
I really appreciated Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha’s recent-ish article, where do we go from here?, which featured a number of rad disability justice advocates discussing possible answers to that question. As always, disabled people lead the way when it comes to creating a world that is built for everyone, not just people who are considered “healthy.” As we continue to navigate this challenging time (on top of the rise of fascism, anti-queer/anti-trans efforts, attacks on abortion, etc.), it’s important that we listen to the leadership of those who have already been building networks of care and change. But we also need to care for them, because everyone deserves rest, joy, and pleasure, yet it often isn’t made possible for activists. It’s called mutual aid for a reason, and applying mutuality to all aspects of life will help us all!
Now, onto the newsletter!
Will the FDA-Approved Blood Test for Preeclampsia Decrease Maternal Deaths?
“While promising, the test does not eradicate or address the racism and sexism that seeps into the American health care system, leaving Black families vulnerable.”
The FDA recently approved a blood test that is meant to predict preeclampsia in pregnant people, specifically by identifying who is most at risk of developing preeclampsia in the next two weeks. The test “measures the ratio of two proteins that are produced by the placenta,” which researchers found, “were greatly unbalanced in the blood of women who developed severe pre-eclampsia.” This is certainly an exciting option that may help us better catch cases of preeclampsia, which can quickly become deadly.
But there are some important things to keep in mind, which Margo Snipe at Capital B explains: “It is approved for use among pregnant [people] who have already been admitted to emergency facilities in the 23rd to 35th weeks of gestation for high blood pressure to determine their risk for increasingly severe complications within the next two weeks.” In other words, it’s primarily for figuring out which people who are already at risk and at the hospital, to help ensure that those in need of further monitoring get the care they need while allowing those who don’t to go home (and potentially re-test in two weeks).
While this test certainly will help in certain applications, especially in helping people avoid costly hospital stays if the test indicates they won’t develop severe preeclampsia, many of these sudden symptoms happen at home, which this test wouldn’t impact. It also comes down to the fact that, “It’s the way [doctors] behave that’s killing us,” as Midwife and advocate Jennie Joseph says. The layers of sexism and anti-Black racism baked into our medical system, among so many other compounding factors, result in pregnant people (and especially Black pregnant people) not having their pain and concerns taken seriously. If the test will only come after a doctor has done that, it may not impact the maternal mortality rate a much as we’d have hoped. This test seems like it will be beneficial in the long run, but it’s also a reminder that there is a lot more (structural) work to be done.
See also: Capital B frequently covers issues of medical racism, including in Tori Bowie’s Death Shows the Severity of Our Maternal Mortality Crisis, which reflects on Bowie’s sudden death at home due to what likely was a combination of respiratory issues and eclampsia. Time also published an article last year, titled U.S. Medical Schools Are Struggling to Overcome Centuries of Racism in Health Care, which explores how medical schools that claim to center anti-racism and diversity often fall short of their values in practice.
What's Happening at Lakeshore Liberation?
Nothing new to share this time!
What’s Going on in Reproductive Justice
As we passed the year mark for the overturning of the Roe decision, a number of Milwaukee-based organizations marched together to show support for abortion rights and keep momentum going for the various efforts taking place to overturn the Wisconsin ban. Meanwhile, the challenge against the lawsuit seeking to repeal the ban was refused by a judge, allowing the case to move forward. Regardless of the decision that comes out of this case, it will likely end up in the state Supreme Court, which thankfully seems like it would side with abortion rights.
The FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, which is expected to hit shelves early next year. WPR shares what this means for Wisconsinites, although a warning that they quote some gross bioessentialist/“pro-life” garbage in it, too.
Since Wisconsin is one of the states that doesn't require insurers by law to cover infertility services, it can be prohibitively costly to pursue IVF and other fertility treatments here. But that isn’t stopping organizations like Building Families Alliance Wisconsin from trying to push our legislature to change that.
Even amidst extreme heat, kids generally don’t want to stay inside 24/7. If they’re going to be playing outside, NPR shares some useful information on making sure they stay safe even when it’s incredibly hot!
If you’re in Wisconsin, you may know by now that child care — especially for infants — is exceptionally hard to find here. But why is that? Wisconsin Watch breaks down the contributing factors.
What’s Going on in Wisconsin
Gov. Evers signed the Republican-drafted state budget, using veto power to change much of what was put forth. This included trimming the income tax cuts (in part to prevent cuts from primarily benefiting the richest in Wisconsin), increasing school funding per student that can be collected for over 400 years (although this could be changed in the future and is nothing compared to what voucher programs for private schools get), protecting DEI positions at UW & Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming health care, among other things. This budget still leaves a projected $4 billion surplus, which Evers is calling upon Republicans to use for the many financial issues our state faces (such as funding childcare across the state, which would especially help Black children), but so far they’ve made it clear they aren’t interested.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa started a new program that provides free nalaxone (an opioid reversal drug) and fentanyl test strips through the mail. Philomena Kebec, the economic development coordinator for the Bad River tribe, has noted that they are also looking into addressing the root cause of opioid overdoses to prevent them in the first place, but having these tools widely available is an important first step in preventing overdose deaths.
Wisconsin is “the only Great Lakes state that hasn’t adopted Medicaid expansion,” thanks in part to the billionaires funding efforts to prevent it from happening, as Wisconsin Watch recently uncovered.
What I've Been Reading
I came across the Sluggish newsletter recently, after seeing one of their essays mentioned elsewhere. I have a thing about starting things from the beginning, so I ended up starting at the very bottom of the archive and working my way up. I still have a lot of newsletters to go through, but I’ve been really impressed by Jesse’s writing, both in content and style. Their reflections on disability and capitalism (especially ADHD, which I may or may not have) are as insightful and critical as they are funny, and I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read (and watched) so far! I’ll share with you all here the very first newsletter (aside from an introduction), Lessons from the Loon.
Speaking of other Substack newsletters, A Sordid Scandal covers a recent series of news stories in Britain that I hadn’t heard about, but it looks into the ways in which homophobia is wielded in media coverage, particularly through outing closeted men and treating young (adult) men like innocent children being “corrupted” by older gay men.
Xtra contributor Lydia Okello talks to queer & fat content creators on social media about how AI and other automated moderation techniques are targeting them for post removals, account deletions, and shadow-banning.
Carlee Russell may have lied, but Ernest Owens of Teen Vogue reminds us that we still need to believe Black women — especially when so many Black women and girls are still missing, with zero media coverage.
What I'm Watching
We’re finally finishing the last season of Atlanta, which has been quite a trip of a season. We’re also rewatching Veronica Mars (a childhood fave of mine!).
I keep hearing about The Idol and have zero interest in watching it myself, but I really enjoyed Kat Blaque’s two videos on it!
What I'm Listening To
I’ve been pretty behind on my podcast listening, so I actually don’t have anything to share here this month!
Places to Donate To
No Más Muertes (No More Deaths) “provides humanitarian aid, search & rescue operations, and legal aid to migrants, refugees and residents of southern Arizona and northern Mexico,” doing the important on-the-ground work of protecting vulnerable immigrants at the border. They are always in need of funding and accept a variety of donation options.
In light of Indiana’s near-total abortion ban going into effect on August 1st, All-Options set up the Hoosier Abortion Fund to help offer financial support to those seeking abortions that have barriers to receiving the healthcare they need, as well as logistical and emotional support. Donating ensures they have the money they need to do this important work!
After a 14-year-old Native girl went missing, she was found twenty days later at a military base, having apparently been trafficked and sold to a soldier at the base. The military is trying to cover this up and blame the minor, but the family isn’t backing down on demanding justice. You can support their efforts by signing and sharing their petition demanding action be taken and donating to support their legal fees.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Feel free to share them below or contact me directly.