Uncategorized

Halloween costumes can be a tricky thing to navigate when you have a disability. Costumes that are mass-produced rarely take different types of bodies–especially those with mobility or sensory issues–into consideration. This makes it difficult for a wheelchair-bound child to find something that works. But why should trick-or-treating be more difficult just because you have a disability? It shouldn’t, and Target took that to heart. Thus, their new collection of Halloween costumes made specifically for children with disabilities.

According to Fast Company, the brand recently launched an affordable line of adaptive Halloween costumes that make it easier for kids with a range of disabilities to participate in the holiday’s festivities. Not only will the costumes fit the child, but some even help decorate their wheelchairs. There’s a princess costume that comes with a carriage decal for wheelchairs, as well as a pirate costume that comes with a pirate ship.

The line doesn’t just take wheelchair disabilities into consideration, however; they also created a line of extra-soft onesies with flat seams and no tags for children with autism and other sensory issues. The idea is to prevent irritation–which often comes in the form of zippers and rough fabrics. So children with sensitivities can enjoy the holiday and not feel agitated during trick-or-treating.

These onesies–which come in the form of unicorns or sharks–also come with a hidden opening in the front so children with special needs who have medical equipment can access that from the abdomen.

Even better, the costumes won’t break your bank. They range in price from $20 to $45, with the onesies coming in at around $25 or $30 depending on the size or style. That’s not bad at all for such a quality costume. We’re so happy that Target is veering more towards inclusivity with their products, and this line is a great start. You can find all of the costumes on Target’s website here, or purchase them in stores later this year.

Images: Target

The post Target Created A Line Of Halloween Costumes For Kids With Disabilities appeared first on Nerdist.

NASA's Orion spacecraft completed a critical propulsion test, which simulated the abort-to-orbit scenario. (Photo Credit: NASA / Radislav Sinyak)

NASA is developing a system to send astronauts to the moon, which includes tests to make sure the Orion spacecraft is ready to safely transport crew members on an alternate mission profile if unexpected issues arise. In order to simulate this scenario, NASA recently fired up Orion’s propulsion system during a brief test and it was an extremely hot process.

On Aug. 5, the test was conducted using a qualification version of the propulsion system at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, said a NASA press release. Continuous 12-minute firing of Orion’s propulsion system took place during the test, and even though the system didn’t leave the ground, it replicated one of the most challenging situations the spacecraft’s engines could face after a launch.

“This was our most demanding test for the pressurization system, including our propellant tanks, valves and other components,” said Josh Freeh, deputy manager, Orion’s Service Module, at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. “The combined international team has been working towards this test for many months.”

The test imitated what scientists call an abort-to-orbit scenario: If the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) was not able to set the spacecraft on its path to the moon, Orion would intentionally separate early from the ICPS and the European Space Agency (ESA)-provided service module’s engines would fire to uplift Orion into a safe, temporary orbit. This “Plan B” strategy would enable time to evaluate the crew and spacecraft before a decision is made to continue with an alternate mission scenario or return to our planet. If an alternate mission profile is selected, Orion and its crew still would have a chance to complete some of the mission objectives, even if there are trajectory changes.

Final preparations underway at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico for Orion’s propulsion test. We will fire 15 engines to simulate an abort-to-orbit scenario. pic.twitter.com/ltpYMnM0TA

— Orion Spacecraft (@NASA_Orion) August 5, 2019

Engineers mimicked the abort-to-orbit scenario by firing the Orion main engine on the service module and all eight of its auxiliary engines at the same time. Each reaction control thruster was also periodically fired throughout the test, in order to replicate attitude control and overall propulsion system capacity, according to NASA.

Propulsion test complete! During the 12 minute test NASA and @AirbusSpace team fired Orion’s main engine, 8 auxiliary thrusters, and 6 reaction control thrusters. pic.twitter.com/HZDwuBooHy

— Orion Spacecraft (@NASA_Orion) August 5, 2019

“The tests at White Sands have been very helpful to better understand and operate our service module propulsion system,” said Jim Withrow, project manager for the test article. “This firing was one of a series of tests performed to date and in the coming months to simulate contingency modes and other stressful flight conditions.”

The service module, which is the powerhouse of the Orion spacecraft, provides in-space maneuvering and other core astronaut life support systems, such as consumables (water, nitrogen, and oxygen). Kennedy Space Center engineers are joining the completed Artemis 1 crew module and service module together before sending Orion to NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio for simulated in-space environmental testing this fall. Once this step is done, Orion will return to Kennedy Space Center for final processing and integration with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

More on Geek.com:

• Watch: NASA’s Orion Crew Capsule Passes Major Safety Test 
• NASA’s Juno Spacecraft Detects Jupiter’s Striking Vista
• NASA Receives Data From Solar Probe’s First Two Flybys

Source: iOneDigital

The manifestation of #BlackGirlMagic is when black women gather to affirm each other while  unleashing and cultivating their inner Goddess. I spent my Sunday afternoon indulging in this magic with  @FEMMMAGIC founder Maat Petrova  who brought her signature Womb Magic Healing Retreat to NYC. 

Source: @mrwilliamellis / @mrwilliamellis

FEMMMAGIC is a women’s lifestyle brand that provides a holistic approach to women’s health, focused on sexual wellness, psycho-emotional balance, spirituality and physical health. I’ve been following Maat and watching her journey on Instagram and her message has always resonated with me.  She’s equal parts Trini girl from Brooklyn mixed with medicine woman. She twerks, makes put put elixirs, empowers her daughters, and breaks down the intersection of spirituality and sensuality. 

I was excited to finally meet her and experience her work in person! 

Before the workshop, Maat encouraged all participants to, “Come dressed representing the Goddess you are. What does your higher self- goddess look like? Yes come as her.” She set all of us up for the journey we would embark on over the course of the day. Throughout the retreat, we flowed through different modalities of awakening the Divine Feminine Magic within including : Sensual Yoga & dancing, Holistic sexuality,  Womb healing & visualization Meditation, Feminine Sexual Health,  A Yoni Egg info session and vegan food. The retreat ended with each woman experiencing a breakthrough.

Source: @mrwilliamellis / @mrwilliamellis

My favorite part of the day was the sisterhood work. Maat guided us through breathing exercises and a release ritual. We did a reflection exercise where we stared into our partners eyes for about 5 minutes to simply acknowledge the goddess within them. While still  looking into each other’s eyes, we each said, “Sister, I have something to release.” Next, we told each other, “ Sister, I have something to tell you.” I told my partner that I saw the God in her. She thanked me with tears in her eyes.  

It feels so good to affirm another black woman!

The releasing session continued in our  group discussions, where echoes of women revealed the deeply rooted issues that held them back from fully embracing their femininity and pleasure. Confessioions ranged from sexual abuse, breaking generational curses, toxic mother daughter relationships, control issues, pouring into other’s from empty cups, losing children and falling into bad situations due to lack of self love. In all of this, Maat reminded us that in order for us to cultivate our sensual self, we must first forgive past traumas and empower ourselves by doing the inner work first. This is the premise of healing, feeling and revealing your Femminine Magic. You can simply start with acknowledging your  feelings, knowing whatever you feel is ok. Own it, learn from it,  grow through it then reverse it by saying positive affirmations to yourself. 

Source: @mrwilliamellis / @mrwilliamellis

True self-preservation is an important part of the art of feeling and being sensual. If you don’t take care of your inner-self, create boundaries for your peace of mind and get in tune with your spirit, you will NOT be able to express your most sensual self.  

Maat also schooled us on the ailments and PH imbalances that women experience with their wombs and vagina are due to diet and emotional blockages. She introduced her plant based herbal formulas  that serve as healthy alternatives to the mainstream chemical filled feminie products that cause a host of vaginal and womb issues. Learn more about VagElixer, COOCHEEWAA and her other Feminine nurturing  products here.  Gentle Reminder- A plant based p*ssy is a healthy pussy. 

Through FEMMMAGIC, I’m learning  that denying yourself the ability to feel comfortable about your sensuality and sexuality is denying yourself a part of your divine feminine powers. There is nothing taboo, perverse, or disgusting about owning a god given part of your nature. Women should live feeling sexy and sensual and feminine… it’s our divine nature.  

Writers Note: I asked Maat to give me a practical  tip for nurturing the goddess within at home. She said, “Throw on some red lipstick.  Turn on some sexy music, get in front of a mirror, and sway those hips. Admire yourself, touch yourself tell yourself you’re beautiful; you’re sexy; you’re worthy; you’re more than enough and highly loved goddesses. This is the Era of the Feminine. Now is your time. ASE!”

For More Information, go to: www.femmagic.com . 

Love,
Empress