01 Aug The Form and the Wrist

Settling In

Callum sat at the intake desk. The advisor handed him a tablet.

“Just fill out the form — it’s all digital now.”

He nodded. Began.

Every Tap Measured

Each screen required typing. Address. Medications. Emergency contacts.

His wrist began to tighten. He tapped slower. Switched hands.
No autofill. No save button. No progress indicator.

Just field after field. The system assumed: you can keep going.

The Push

“Is there a way to pause and return?” he asked.

“You can start over if it times out.”

That was the only option. Start over.

Slowing the Loop

He asked for a paper version.

The advisor hesitated. Then printed it.
Callum took it home. Filled it out in the quiet of his kitchen.
Paused when his hand ached. Continued the next day.

A Line of Ease

On the last page was a question:

“Do you have any additional accessibility needs?”

He smiled — not bitterly. Just knowingly.

Then he wrote:

“Sometimes I just need less friction.

Not help. Not adjustment. Just a system that doesn’t assume I can go on forever.”