Dreamspace Studio

Food insecurity is more than an empty pantry; it’s a constant, gnawing anxiety that so many of us know far too well. But for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent folks, hunger isn’t just a financial problem. It’s an obstacle course, full of invisible hurdles the world rarely sees.

The Overlapping Realities

Let’s get real: If you live with chronic pain, fatigue, or a brain that runs on a different operating system, even getting food can be a daily challenge.

• Executive dysfunction can make meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking feel insurmountable on some days. The mental bandwidth it takes to remember sales, find recipes, or even get out the door? Not everyone gets it, but we do.
• Mobility barriers mean many people can’t easily access a store, let alone haul groceries or stand at a stove for long periods. Delivery is excellent—if you can afford it. Most of us can’t.
• Higher food costs: It’s expensive to eat “special diets” — gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sodium, texture-friendly, or allergy-safe foods are rarely on sale.
• Living in food deserts (or food swamps) means the nearest store is miles away, and public transit isn’t made for people carrying bags or managing unpredictable energy levels.
• Stigma and gatekeeping: Applying for SNAP, food banks, or community aid can feel humiliating, or outright inaccessible, thanks to red tape and a world built for “the able-bodied.”

Lived Experience

I know this from the inside. There have been weeks when my body hurt too much to get to the store, let alone lug home groceries. Times when executive dysfunction made even microwaving a meal feel impossible. The decision between paying for a med refill or fresh produce? All too familiar. There’s a reason so many “meals” end up being toast, crackers, or just going without.

I was also in an abusive relationship in which we were also destitute: no power, gas, or water. I’ve been hungry, cold, and scared. When I left and moved to Gettysburg, PA, I was on SNAP for quite some time. Although I still struggle with limited funds, I’m one of the many contributors to our local program, SCCAP. I know firsthand just how vital the work is, and I’m grateful I can give back.

And it isn’t just me, look around. How many writers, artists, disabled friends, and neurodivergent neighbors quietly ration food? How many scroll GoFundMe, ashamed to ask, or skip meals so kids and pets can eat? These stories are everywhere, but rarely told in the glossy fundraising ads.

Who’s Filling the Gaps?

While politicians debate and systems lag, the “village” fills the cracks (If you have one). Many of us don’t. Here are a few resources worth knowing and sharing:

• Feeding America’s Food Bank Locator
• Fireweed Collective “offers mental health education and mutual aid through a Healing Justice and Disability Justice lens.”
• Local Facebook groups and grassroots orgs: Search “[your town] mutual aid” or “[your town] disability support.”
• SNAP Outreach Resources
• National groups, such as the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), often offer grants or resource lists.

Pro tip: Don’t sleep on your local library or senior center. They often know where the real help is — pantries, hot meals, or cash grants — without all the paperwork.

What Can You Do? (Even If You’re Broke)

• Donate if you can. Even $1 to a local food bank feeds someone.
• Share resources. Post links, pass along information, and destigmatize the need.
• Support mutual aid. These are lifelines when “official” help fails.
• Check on people. Ask your disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent friends what they actually need. Sometimes it’s a ride, a meal, or just a sympathetic ear.
• Advocate: Contact your reps. Demand better SNAP policies, more accessible aid, and support for those living at these intersections.

Why This Matters (Right Now)

With EBT/SNAP funds in limbo and food prices skyrocketing, this crisis is worsening, not improving. And let’s be clear: Hunger is a disability justice issue. Poverty is a disability issue. If you have the privilege to help, now is the time.

We aren’t here to just “raise awareness”, we’re here to build real community, share survival knowledge, and remind each other we’re not alone.

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling: I see you. I am you. And there is no shame, only community and solidarity.

If you’re able, donate to Writers Against Hunger/Feeding America or support your local pantry. But above all, keep talking, keep sharing, and keep looking out for one another.

Together, we can make sure no one gets left behind.

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