E429 - "They Wanted My Husband To Be My Fulltime Caregiver So I Wouldn't Lose My Disability Benefits" - w/ Arleth Lugo Ruiz

E429 - "They Wanted My Husband To Be My Fulltime Caregiver So I Wouldn't Lose My Disability Benefits" - w/ Arleth Lugo Ruiz

From Disability After Dark by Cripple & Co Productions

May 31, 2026 · 1h 5m · Episode 429

About this episode

Arleth Lugo Ruiz discusses her experiences with schizoaffective disorder and the challenges of disability benefits.

Episode Notes In episode 429 of Disability After Dark , host Andrew sits down with Arleth Lugo Ruiz (she/her) to discuss the realities of living with schizoaffective disorder, navigating the systemic flaws of disability benefits, and the gatekeeping present in modern academia. Arleth shares her journey of reclaiming the word "schizo," the unseen side effects of vital psychiatric medications, and the harsh "marriage penalty" enforced by the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) + so much more. Enjoy! Episode Sponsors Buy the new novella Descent here Are you looking for attendant care when you need it at your convenience? Check out your team, on tap www.whimble.ca Get 15% off your next purchase of sex toys, books and DVDs by using Coupon code AFTERDARK at checkout when you shop at trans owned and operated sex shop Come As You Are www.comeasyouare.com Order Notes From a Queer Cripple and hire him to speak on it by e-mailing andrew@andrewgurza.com US: https://us.jkp.com/products/notes-from-a-queer-cripple Canada: https://www.ubcpress.ca/notes-from-a-queer-cripple Support the show with a donation: https://patreon.com/disabilityafterdark This podcast is powered…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew

Guest: Arleth Lugo Ruiz

Topics covered

  • disability benefits
  • mental health
  • schizoaffective disorder
  • systemic flaws
  • marriage penalty
  • psychiatric medications
  • academic gatekeeping

Keywords

  • disability
  • schizoaffective disorder
  • mental health
  • disability benefits
  • marriage penalty
  • psychiatric medications
  • academic gatekeeping

Sponsors

Come As You Are, Whimble

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Cripple & Co Productions

Books & works: Notes From a Queer Cripple

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