Allie Wilkinson

Freelance science journalist. Formerly at @sciencenews. Award-winning baker.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@AmericanAir
needs to train their staff better on the Disabilities Bill of Rights under the Air Carrier Access Act because I was not treated with dignity nor respect.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

Just had a frustrating, humiliating and dehumanizing experience with @AmericanAir at @Reagan_Airport as a #disabled person. It started with insufficient staffing for wheelchair assistance.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

He then said he was “allowing” me down the ramp with my medical supply bag, but if there was no room then I’d have to take a later flight. I’m now crying hysterically on the plane because of how discriminatory and dehumanizing
@AmericanAir
staff treated me.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@hollybik This is fantastic! CONGRATS!!

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@Douglas_Main I’m so sorry.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

#Medical twitter: Is it legal for a provider to charge patients additional fees to file paperwork for medication authorizations?

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@Katie_PhD This makes me so happy!

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

Hey @zoos_aquariums, can you connect any experts on emu rehabilitation with @hiitaylorblake?

[eco sister @hiitaylorblake]

For now, I am asking for prayer. I am asking for any and all good energy sent his way. I am asking for anyone who has any experience with large bird physical therapy, please reach out to me. I would love to chat with you about options.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@bgrassbluecrab @DrAndrewThaler Wow! I can’t remember when I read my first academic paper. Was this for a school project or just for yourself?

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

THIS. I’ve spent so many hours digging into the literature on health issues I’m dealing with, which helps me ask my doctors informed questions.

[Ed Yong is not here @edyong209]

I’ve treated long-haulers as the experts on their own condition—because they are. And I don’t just mean experts in their symptoms or experiences. I mean experts in the scientific literature surrounding their illness. Patients use Pubmed too, y’all. 23/

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

But not always. Last month a cardiologist at a prestigious hospital told me it was time to step away from the internet bc reading too much can lead to unnecessary fear. I was asking Qs about what activities to refrain from so my aortic aneurysm doesn’t tear and kill me.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

Doctors need to take this to heart as well. I’ve had several doctors treat me like some crackpot on the internet when I asked informed questions. Sometimes they change their tune and take me seriously when I say I’m a sci journalist who has read the literature.

[Ed Yong is not here @edyong209]

I’ve treated long-haulers as the experts on their own condition—because they are. And I don’t just mean experts in their symptoms or experiences. I mean experts in the scientific literature surrounding their illness. Patients use Pubmed too, y’all. 23/

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

@edyong209 I’ve been trying to figure out how to get into this type of reporting and the different approach it requires as I’ve been navigating diagnoses for rare and/or complex chronic illness, and this thread was really helpful.

[Allie Wilkinson @AllieWilkinson]

Excellent thread that’s worth the read. As a science journalist dealing with complex chronic illness, I appreciate @edyong209’s approach from both sides.

[Ed Yong is not here @edyong209]

🧵I want to share some thoughts about reporting on long COVID and other complex chronic illnesses. (e.g. below)
This is a thread about the ethos behind these pieces, and how I’ve approached interviewing, writing, and the rest of it. 1/
https://t.co/sfyfxNOBVm