Quit Stalin...

Where Emma becomes an autocrat

Hello lovelies, I know it’s not a numbers game, but …over 500 subscribers…oh yeah, baby!! Thank you, truly.¹

When a world leader starts acting erratically—stumbling through speeches, making bizarre decisions, or suggesting vodka as a medical breakthrough—people start whispering: “Could it be Parkinson’s? Dementia?”

And honestly? That drives me absolutely fucking nuts.

Because being an unstable, power-hungry megalomaniac is not a symptom of Parkinson’s, dementia, or any other neurological condition.

It’s a symptom of being an unstable, power-hungry megalomaniac.

Do you know what is a symptom of Parkinson’s? Dragging yourself out of bed when your limbs feel like they’ve been cast in concrete. Trying to button a shirt when your fingers have decided they work on a three-minute delay. Summoning the energy to exist in a world that treats you like a cautionary tale while somehow not attempting to take over former satellite states.

But sure, tell me more about how these men²—men with boundless energy for warmongering, speechifying, and just generally being a menace—must have Parkinson’s, while I can’t even get a kettle to pour properly because my hands think they’re conducting a free jazz concert.

Chronic Illness: Now With Bonus Dictators!

It’s bad enough that illness already carries a stigma. People hear “Parkinson’s” and assume you must be frail, elderly, and one foot in the grave. (It’s not just an old man’s disease. Young-Onset Parkinson’s exists. I should know.)

And if it’s not that, then it’s the other end of the spectrum: the whole “tragic inspiration” thing. Either way, society loves a good, tidy narrative. You’re either the fragile victim or the brave warrior, but lord forbid you’re just a person trying to live their life.

And now, apparently, we can add potential dictator to the list of things people assume when they hear "neurological disorder." Because, obviously, shaky hands and poor dopamine regulation must be what’s causing these guys to imprison journalists and rewrite history books.

It’s not just Parkinson’s. Any time a high-profile person acts in a way that makes people uncomfortable, suddenly there’s armchair diagnosing all over the place. That billionaire being an arrogant, emotionally oblivious windbag? ‘Must be a -tism’ That political leader refusing to make eye contact while making deranged decisions? Sounds like fill-in-blank!

Here’s an idea: maybe they’re total cockwombles.

Neurodivergent folks spend a lifetime being told we’re the ones who need to adjust, behave, learn to communicate properly, mask traits for the comfort of others. And yet, the moment a public figure starts acting like an antisocial disaster zone, suddenly it’s: “Ah, see, it must be their -tism!”

It’s offensive. It’s lazy. And it actively harms people who are out here just trying to live their lives without being compared to the worst examples of humanity.

Maybe He’s Just an Arsehole?

So, here’s my plea: next time some world leader starts behaving like a Bond villain with a head injury, maybe—just maybe— they’re simply a fucking awful person rather than reaching for a neurological diagnosis as an explanation.

And if, by some chance, they do have Parkinson’s, dementia, or -tism? It still doesn’t excuse them. Plenty of us with neurological conditions are out here not committing crimes against humanity.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to lie down because writing this took more energy than any of these guys expend pretending they have a conscience.

with love

E xxx

1. I have also lowered the paid subscription price because you know…cost-of-bloody-living! love you all.

2. I know, I know but it’s usually men.