DisabiliTEA S1E5: Eryk Maxwell

Welcome to DisabiliTEA: Conversations for Change. This special video edition of the Finding Avalon Podcast features authentic chats over hot cups of tea with Disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent changemakers, citizens and our allies.

Episode 5 features Eryk Maxwell from Williamsburg, Virginia, US. Eryk is a self-proclaimed “chaotic creative” who’s a writer, content creator, and artist. His creative expression involves words, paint, video, pictures, toys, trash, and clothing, all things that tell a story that helps channel his emotions and memories.

He’s also a husband and father of three, not to mention a discerning tea aficionado. As an autistic adult with ADHD, Lupus, and widespread arthritis, Eryk starts authentic conversations online as a Black man who doesn’t fit into the boxes created for him by society. He uses his blog, TikTok, and Instagram to talk about creativity, mental health, chronic illness and neurodiversity. On top of that, he’s pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

“Partly due to my autism, partly due to my ADHD, and partly due to my anxiety, food for me is difficult. I have dietary restrictions because of my lupus, my IBS and my sensory issues. But also I’m not always aware of when I’m hungry and then I can’t think straight because I need to eat now, then I end up eating junk or eating the wrong thing. So I tend to eat on a schedule, but it works. And so getting a new diagnosis of diabetes did make changing my diet a little bit easier because I was already on a food schedule. It was just adjusting the foods on that schedule.

I’m a huge routine person. It takes time to develop them. It takes time to grow. It’s more like growing routines. Honestly, it feels more like gardening because I can’t just say I’m going to do this every day, and then all of a sudden, magically, it works. You start it and it happens. It doesn’t happen. It happens. It doesn’t happen. It’s this fits and starts, one step forward, two steps back. But eventually it starts getting traction and then once I have the routine I can add things to it.”
Eryk Maxwell

About this Epsiode

DisabiliTEA: Embracing the mess: Navigating Yet Another Diagnosis with Eryk Maxwell (Season 1, Episode 5)

Jenna and Eryk spill the tea! In this engaging conversation, they discuss the complexities of living with disabilities and managing multiple chronic illnesses. They explore the emotional and practical challenges of navigating new diagnoses, the importance of communication with loved ones and healthcare providers, and the healing power of tea. Eryk shares his personal experiences with a new diagnosis of diabetes and talks about the intersection of mental health with chronic illness, emphasizing the need for authentic advocacy and fuller inclusion in society.

Takeaways:

Embracing one’s messiness can lead to authentic communication and self-acceptance.
New diagnoses can feel overwhelming, especially with existing chronic conditions.
Understanding one’s body is crucial for managing health.
Communication with family, friends and employers is key during difficult times.
Creating routines can help manage daily life with chronic illness.
Tea can be a source of comfort and healing.
Mental health is often overlooked in chronic illness care.
Advocacy for disability inclusion is essential for societal change.
Everyone deserves accommodations and support, regardless of disability, chronic illness or neurodivergence.

Watch Eryk’s Episode here

Episode Sponsor

BUILDERBURNER Ceramics kindly sponsored this episode. Alana Lea Wilson (she/they) makes colourful, hand built, ceramic works under the name builderburner ceramics. They’ve done residencies in Canada, Australia and the USA, as well as an MFA at Pennwest Edinboro University and a BFA at NSCAD University. Their work explores ideas around memory, nostalgia, longing and belonging.

I’ve purchased items from them in the past, and especially love their cloud line of products! You can find them in their studio in the Eltuek Arts Centre in Sydney, NS on Cape Breton Island. Their socials and website are linked below under Resources. Thank you for helping us spill the DisabiliTEA, BUILDERBURNER Ceramics! Watch Eryk’s reaction to receiving his surprise mug.

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Learn More

Eryk Maxwell on Instagram and Blog
Subscribe to DisabiliTEA on YouTube
Follow DisabiliTEA on Spotify
DisabiliTEA Series Episode List
Builder Burner Ceramics website and Instagram
Regions mentioned: Virginia, United States, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Thank You / Support a Disabled Creator

Thank you for supporting DisabiliTEA – an award-winning, Disabled-led, Atlantic Canadian program! Every like, share and comment really matters to Disabled creators, helping build a stronger, more inclusive community.

This is an entirely grassroots labour of love where Jenna creates accessible, cost-free public educational resources, without assistance or funding. Here are ways to support Jenna as she continues contributing to inclusive change, community empowerment and disabled justice. Donations are gladly accepted to help cover basic operational costs for the podcast and blog.

Finding Avalon: Storytelling, Advocacy & Life