A chat with Squirmy and Grubs

We asked the viral YouTubers about their accessible fashion show and more.

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IN a nutshell Happy Friday! Your reward for surviving another week? A fantastic interview with Shane and Hannah Burcaw, the married couple behind the popular YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs. We asked them about their first accessible fashion show that took place last week, interabled relationships, viral videos, and more. Scroll down to check it out. Today we're also digging into: • a 5-minute gratitude journal • a hangover cure pill?! • more health stories you need Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota September 16, 2022 • 6 min read

Shane and Hannah Burcaw, AKA Squirmy and Grubs, have spent the last four years chronicling their relationship and health journeys online. Shane has a degenerative disorder known as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) while Hannah, as you probably guessed from the above photo, does not. After fielding countless questions, comments, and odd looks, the pair decided to use the power of the internet to tell their story. From honest chats about painful SMA treatments to debunking stereotypes, they spread awareness about what it's like to live with and love someone with a disability. Last Thursday, they teamed up with biotech company Genentech to launch Double Take, a first-of-its-kind fashion show created by the SMA community. Our team got to drop into the show and snagged Hannah and Shane for a fireside runway chat. Check out our convo below. Q: First off: Where did the names Squirmy and Grubs come from? Hannah: The names Squirmy and Grubs came from our nicknames for each other that we came up with very early on in our relationship. Shane calls me Squirmy because I allegedly squirm around in bed and keep him awake at night. Shane: Not allegedly. H: It's alleged. And I call him Grubs because his hands are always a little bit sweaty and grubby. Q: With an emphasis on community involvement and accessibility in fashion, Double Take is without a doubt the first fashion show of its kind. Can you tell us about your involvement in the show? H: We've been involved with Genentech's SMA My Way program for about 3 years. Last year, we made a song with them. This year, it was the big fashion show. So we were really excited for this day. S: In addition to walking the runway, we and the other members of the SMA My Way group got together for hours to talk about what the theme of this show would be, what was important, what the outfits will look like. It was a very collaborative effort with the SMA community. Q: What's your big hope that viewers take away from the show? S: I want people to realize that accessible clothing doesn't need to look medical. Just because something is accessible, it can still be stylish and professional and sexy. Q: Shane, your latest memoir is titled "Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse." How do you navigate this situation in real life? It must be annoying and tricky. S: Every time Hannah and I are out in public, inevitably, a stranger will come up to us and say, "Oh, is this your mom?" "Is this your sister?" It's never, "Oh, is this your wife?" I think it really shows that people don't feel very highly of disabled people. People can't fathom that I'm married or a professional adult. So, we try our best to laugh about it and inform them, but it does get old. Q: One of your YouTube videos is titled "The Happiness I Sacrifice for My Disabled Fiancé," which is obviously attention grabbing. I know your answer is that you don't sacrifice much at all! So we want to know: How has your partner *increased* your happiness and added value to your life? H: We get a lot of comments on our YouTube channel from people assuming that I sacrifice a lot for Shane or that I have a worse life because I'm with Shane, and that could not be further from the truth. Shane and I have an amazing life together. Our relationship is a 50/50 split of work. I do more physical things. He does all of the annoying adulting, you know, administrative jobs. S: I get all the bad tasks. H: I know. I get off easy. But, yeah, we really do split everything 50/50. And I think both of us think that our relationship is perfect for us. S: Absolutely. Q: Last but not least, what advice would you give other couples who are in a similar position? Do you have tips for other folks in interabled relationships who find themselves receiving similar comments? H: I think the advice that we would give other couples who are figuring this out would be to design your relationship how it best works for you. Don't worry about what society says you should be doing or what your partner should be doing. Just figure out what works best for you and go with that. S: If we learned one thing in our time as YouTubers, it's that people have a lot of opinions, and they don't matter. All that matters is that you and your partner are happy.

great finds Products we love       The Five-Minute Journal Got 5 minutes to spare each day and a desire to improve your mental health? If so, consider grabbing The Five-Minute Journal. It's a great way to start or continue daily gratitude journaling, a practice that can help relieve feelings of anxiety and depression. As the name implies, the prompts are quick (think daily affirmations and opps to log what you're grateful for). They're designed to be done in the morning and at the end of the day, ideally within — yep, you guessed it — 5 minutes. We've featured this journal in a few mental health product roundups, most recently the best mindfulness gifts. So use it yourself or give it to someone else! Shop now

Weird Science The first hangover cure pill is officially on the market Have you ever wanted to skip the stomach aches, headaches, and regret that often come after a night out? Well, your wish has been granted (at least for the physical symptoms) in the form of a pill called Myrkl. After more than 30 years of research and development, this first-ever hangover prevention pill recently launched in the United Kingdom, and it's coming soon to the United States, Brazil, and Canada. And no, it's not another electrolyte powder. Myrkl works by using bacteria like Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and amino acid L-cysteine to break down alcohol into water and carbon dioxide before it reaches your liver, thus preventing those pesky hangover symptoms. It's also got vitamin B12 to reduce your chances of getting a headache. Just take two pills at least an hour before you start drinking. Exciting as this development may be on paper, healthcare experts aren't convinced that the pill is healthy, safe, or effective. Some even worry about the long-term health effects, particularly for those with alcohol use disorder or a history of alcohol misuse. The pill is currently sold out, but if and when it's back in stock, make sure to check with your healthcare professional before jumping on the Myrkl bandwagon.

health stories you need What we're reading next Amazon ends its virtual health care service. Before most folks even knew it existed, Amazon Care is kaput. Here's the scoop on why it's ending and what it means for patients. How to have a healthy relationship with the news. Does reading the news stress you out? Join the club. Learn what you can do to prevent it from hurting your health. Can orgasms cause headaches? If your head starts pounding right before you hit peak O, you're not alone. Psych Central explains why this happens and what you can do about it.

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