“Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories From the Twenty-First Century” – Review

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In our modern age, and in ages long ago, our responses to those with disability have been quite varied. But invariably, we humans tend to have two main responses to the disabled: pity and disgust. Pity that the disabled person can’t care for themselves without assistance or for their supposed “sufferings”, or disgust for much the same reasons. The book, Disability Visibility is an exercise in having a positive outlook to people who have disabilities. These people are not people to be pitied or disgusted by – they are human beings with unique opinions, thoughts, and outlooks, distinct from themselves and from the broader world. As the editor, Alice Wong, rights in her introduction to the book, “I am living in a time where disabled people are more visible than ever before. And yet while representation is exciting and important, it is not enough. I want and expect more. We all should expect more. We all deserve more. There must be depth, range, nuance to disability representation in the media.”.

Depth, range and nuance are what is presented in this book, Disability Visibility. All the author’s have different disabilities that affect their lives in different ways. They have unique social contexts that are distinct from each other. One of the author’s is a Muslim-American woman, Maysoon Zayid, who is an actor and comedian with Cerebral Palsy; her essay was about being able to follow her religious practices as a disabled person who can’t participate in the act of fasting. There is Wanda Diaz-Merced, a woman who was studying to be an astronomer and physicist before she developed blindness, and due to her blindness she and her colleagues developed a new way for her to analyze visual data through sonification. On the other end of the spectrum, s.e. smith wrote a story about the experience of watching an artistic performance done by people who are disabled, and what it felt to be a part of something that accepts them.

Not all the stories are going to be pleasant, or easy to read. Many of the author’s will hold opinions that are unpopular, but those are necessary for a full picture of disability. Ariel Henley talks about how a boy teased her for looking ugly due to Crouzon syndrome. Or Jen Deerinwater, who talks about how she was mistreated as an indigenous American with disabilities. Her story has more social commentary than most of the stories contained in the book, and it’s pretty damning social commentary indeed. But the stories also offer hope to those who read by presenting us with these stories, and how to help this marginalized group of people. It can be unsettling, as s.e. smith writes in her essay on the beauty of spaces for the disabled, “to be invited into our space. To be on the other side of the access divide. To see disabled people spreading their wings. […] Those in positions of power, evidently fearing that people are talking about them behind closed doors, persistently insist on barging into such spaces.” (Pg. 274)

This is just a small taste of the stories presented in this book, and there are many more. The stories are short and not difficult to read. They aren’t complicated or academic. They are simply stories that tell of the lives of the disabled. It tells of their struggles, hopes, desires and fears. It informs the nondisabled people about what it is like to live with a physical or mental handicap, and what to do to understand and help people with disabilities live their best lives as humans in our society. For the disabled, this book tells them that they are not alone, that they are not less than human because they are disabled, and that it is okay to speak out and tell their stories to the world, and that even though they are disabled, they can do great things. Alice Wong said it best, “I want things to improve even while grappling with this impulse, with the tension between “subject” and “audience”. I want to center the wisdom of disabled people and welcome others in, rather than ask for permission or acknowledgement.” Disability Visibility is a good starting point toward this lofty goal.

Disability Visibility: Action of Humanness

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“Contribution, innovation, relation, condition, completion, devotion, identification, regret, burden, belief, wrong, right, rebuild, beautiful, embodied”, all words used to describe Disability Visibility. Disability Visibility is a compilation of “first-person stories from the twenty-first century” written about disabled folks, by disabled folks. This mosaic of anecdotes was pieced together by Alice Wong. Each story differs greatly. Authors explain their individual experiences of being disabled in a world built without them in mind. Despite each story being personal to the author, the overarching theme of the book remains consistent. From narratives about navigating medication as a woman with bipolar disorder, to stories about the shame casted on a young, Black girl growing up in a religious household, Disability Visibility amplifies the voices of folks silenced in our world.  

Disability Visibility is written for a wide audience of folks both disabled and not. It acts as a learning outlet for nondisabled people to hear stories told by people living with disabilities first-hand. It gives disabled people an opportunity to tell their stories and exist in communion with one another. A concept explained in the story The Beauty of Spaces Created for and by Disabled People is crip space; “Crip space is unique, a place where disability is celebrated and embraced—something radical and taboo in many parts of the world and sometimes even for people in those spaces” (smith pg. 273). Disability Visibility is a crip space, of sorts. It is a space where disabled folks can express themselves without the ableist pressures of our society.  

Each story grapples with the idea of disability, for example, from Incontinence is a Public Health Issue—and we Need to Talk About It, “I didn’t feel disabled, as it were” (Ramsawakh pg. 175). Or from When You are Waiting to be Healed, “I was learning to navigate the world as a young Black woman, and I did not feel I had the right to claim a disability” (Eric-Udorie pg. 56). Both stories have unique plots, characters, settings, and emotions, but themes remain the same throughout. The entire book carries parallel agencies. The most prevalent is to share the non-fetishized, pity-free stories of disabled people.  

Alice Wong compiled these essays and short stories as individual accounts that created a sense of communion. Jamison Hill’s chapter, Love Means Never Having to Say… Anything, discusses their partnership with a woman named Shannon. Both Shannon and Jamison are disabled by the same illness (although it has manifested differently in their bodies). Jamison writes about how transcendent disabled love is and how having a disabled lover has been incredible. They write, “…but Shannon and I take care of each other in ways I never thought possible” (Hill pg. 265). This story portrays the larger concept of Disability Visibility. The disabled community can take care, despite the world not reciprocating. The story, and book as a whole shows the disabled community in action. The story avoids inspiration porn and pity; but rather, it resembles compassion, togetherness, and humanness.  

Shining a Light on Disability Visibility

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Disability Visibility, edited by activist Alice Wong, is a collection of short personal essays written by a diverse group of disabled writers about their experiences with disability. As stated in the book’s back-cover blurb, “One in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some are visible, others less apparent-but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture.” This fact necessitates a book like this one, because if disability is one day able to be seen as the norm, rather than a negative deviation from it, then nearly seventy million people in the United States will have their lives improve with the subsequent focus on necessary accessibility that many of the writers in this book advocate and create for themselves and the members of their community.

Among other uses, this book can give people with disabilities a sense of unity, faith in themselves and others in their capabilities to create change in the world, inspiration to tell their own stories, as well as a guide for building the healthiest relationship with their disabilities possible. For those who are nondisabled, this book can give them more awareness about the lives of people with disabilities, and help them recognize poor media representation that attempts to dehumanize disabled people. Reading this book can also inspire them to look within their own discourses for area where accessibility is needed so the responsibility of advocating for and creating it isn’t entirely placed on those who need accessibility.

One story in the book focuses on how an astronomer who became visually impaired during the height of her career. “How a Blind Astronomer Found a Way to Hear the Stars” by astronomer Wanda Díaz-Merced follows how she innovated her entire field by creating a technique of analyzing supernovas through sound, when previously, astronomers were only able to analyze them through visual reconstructions from data. This kind of novel innovation opened up an entire scientific field to people with visual impairments, and was only possible because of Díaz-Merced and a few of her colleagues’ determination to create accessibility. She states that, “If people with disabilities are allowed into the scientific field, an explosion, a huge burst of knowledge will take place” (Díaz-Merced. 173).

Another story called, “Imposter Syndrome and Parenting with a Disability” by writer and activist Jessica Slice who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome focuses on her self-worth in regards to motherhood. She expresses in the piece that she is often unable to provide for her son in a way that other mothers based their identity of motherhood on, mainly in regards to physical activity. However, Slice gives the perspective that although she may not be able to pick her son up or drive him places, she is able to give him the emotional attention and steady presence that the children of nondisabled parents often lack from their caregivers. She writes that, “Love isn’t a collection of capacities, of practical contribution” (Slice, 132).

One last story overview is about “If You Can’t Fast, Give” by Muslim actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid, who has cerebral palsy. She expresses how Ramadan, or month of fasting that takes place yearly in Islam is not a requirement for people with disabilities or illnesses to undertake. Despite this, she chose to participate for as long as her cerebral palsy allowed. When the time came that she couldn’t participate for serious risk of her health, she decided to instead follow the tenants of her religion by making donations to charity in place of Ramadan, instead of feeling ashamed that she could no longer participate in the way she wanted to. Zayid states, “Muslims fast so they can suffer a little. It is important not to die in the process. Instead, those who can’t should channel their devotion into charity. This will not only help you stay healthy but also will help someone who is genuinely suffering” (Zayid, 38).

What each of these stories have in common is the idea that although people with disabilities might not be able to participate in their discourses like their occupations, their families, and their religions in the same ways nondisabled people traditionally do, they still occupy an essential role in their communities and are able to create meaning in ways that greatly improve the world around them. In fact they often do so in ways that nondisabled people either cannot or choose not to. Disability Visibility highlights this idea very well, the only problem I found with the book was that I wanted to hear more than a few pages of the experiences of these disabled writers, and many others with disabilities not mentioned. After all every of the one in five people with disabilities in the United States experiences their disabilities differently, especially within the context of the other parts of their lives. Perhaps a sequel is in order.

In Their Own Voices: Disability Visibility Review

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Disability Visibility is a multi-author book filled with numerous short narratives from the perspective of those living with a disability. Separated into four distinct categories, the stories may seem overlapping in tone or themes, but not in the sense that every experience is the same. If you are to take anything away from this wonderful novel, it should be the emotional ties that are in this book between authors (that do not know one another) and the ones that are created from author to reader. An important note, and one I tend to highlight, is the inclusion of different mental and physical bodyminds. When I refer to bodyminds, what I really mean is the non-separation that exists between the human body and mind. This novel celebrates every kind of different bodymind that we typically don’t see represented in regular media (tv, movies, literature, news etc.). And with the exposure of this book, the authors represent themselves in their own voice on their own terms.  

Some might wonder why such a piece of literature needs to exist, why does this matter so much? That’s a wonderful first question to have. Disability Visibility is for the humanization of those living with a different bodymind than the status quo through the artistic use of short, educational, passionate narratives. It does not serve to explain or justify everything to the reader. The authors may very well have had to feel that unnecessary burden in their life already, and that is just it. To take the time to formally step-by-step educate a reader throughout this book is to justify their existence, to strip away their right of just being. With the power of storytelling, you get moments of insight and truth like this; “Fortunately, love isn’t a collection of capacities, of practical contributions. My love isn’t diminished by my inability to carry my son up the stairs, just as it isn’t diminished by the fact that I didn’t carry him inside the uterus.” (Pg. 132). This excerpt is from one of the shortest chapters and it is written by Jessica Slice. Slice spends no time explaining any social stigmas associated with her disability, nor does she define any terms. Instead, the chapter is mainly dealing with her range of emotions and thoughts when discussing her identity through motherhood.  

The novel is not an academic piece. It is written in an extremely personal manner but still reads with an energy of empowerment, passion, and wit. Through the narratives one can see the marriage between relationships in the outside world to the growing one with oneself. Author s.e. Smith says it best in their chapter claiming, “Members of many marginalized groups have this shared experiential touchstone, this sense of unexpected and vivid belonging and an ardent desire to be able to pass this experience along.” (Pg. 272). Smith masterfully switches between a storytelling, descriptive perspective to a large-scale one critiquing social normalization and ableist opinions that object to what they name “crip spaces.” Each narrative provides some readers a relaxed feeling of “I’m being seen” while giving others a necessary call-in to see things in a new light with necessary self-reflection. The pieces are intimate. You feel like you’re having a conversation with the author and most of the time in my experience, the conversation does not end there. Whether you find yourself in an academic setting discussing the stories or just a group of friends, it’s almost promised the words on the pages will have you translating what it meant to you with someone else. The novel is a true love letter to identity and the human spirit that thrives off being unique in harmony with the bodymind you have. With that, I leave you with another quote by Dancer Alice Sheppard: 

“I have come a long way from the brokenness of disability expected by the nondisabled world to an imagined space where the binary of “broken” and “whole” seems to exist. I look forward to learning about the effects of this thinking and to discovering what is next.” (Pg. 167).  

Bridge the Gap, See the Future, Disability Visibility Review

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The pieces functions through very personal stories, the real lived experiences of the authors. There is usually one or two common themes in these stories as the author places the disability lens over certain topics. They usually present the problem: marginalization, impostor syndrome, facing oppression and othering, and end with a fairly positive outcome of their experience. Most of these outcomes are internal, of acceptance or finding a community, with some expressing a call for change, to provide to charities and to open up the line for conversation and in-depth discussion.

The book features diabled stories, but could be especially valuable to abled people as well. For the book’s disabled audience, it serves to be a sort of crip space, where stories of disabled people are open to be shared in all their complexity. For the abled audience, this book serves to be both informative, by making an effort to share these stories and call to action that change that has to be made to accommodate disabled people. It explains how accessibility would help everyone once it is achieved. Through innovation, contribution, research and spreading awareness, disabled people would not only be seen, but also heard and accommodated for. 

It explored the complexity of allyship, found within family, friends and in the workplace, although the latter of the three is more in light with the importance of accessibility, and the awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of everyone who occupies a space. When it comes to fields and the workplace, employers keeping an openness to disability would only serve to welcome new perspectives into the workforce, Wanda Díaz-Merced shares her story with her unique perspective, “I think science is for everyone. It belongs to the people, and it has to be available to everyone, because we are all natural explorers” (172).” Not only is the workforce in need new voices, but there are many social aspects of disability that people ought to learn more about. 

Alternative options for disabled people to participate in traditions that usually abled people could participate in without issue. Maysoon Zayid explored such limitations, saying ““I miss fasting, but I’m happy to take on my newest mission of reminding those who can’t fast that there is no reason to put themselves at risk. Muslims fast so they can suffer a little. It is important not to die in the process.” (Pg. 38)” The physical availability of the world is also of importance, Sandy Ho  explains that, “As a marginalized disabled person I want it all: for all of us to remain as fixtures in our shared worldviews, for the space to do more than survive, and for our voices and presence to experience the indelible freedom that comes with being louder.”(116) The world has perpetuated the idea that the abled person is to be catered to whilst disabled people must struggle to find spaces for them to be allowed to fit in, this book explains how backwards that logic is in the most personal of stories.

RAB: Imposter Syndrome and Parenting with a Disability

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Imposter Syndrome and Parenting with a Disability by Jessica Slice 

Summary: 

In this emotional and heartwarming short narrative, author Jessica Slice speaks on what it is like to go through motherhood so far while living with a disability. Slice was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which greatly complicates how she moves, what environments she can be in, and daily physical activities in general. Khalil, her son, was a foster child that Slice and her husband lovingly took in when he was a baby. Khalil’s infancy stage was her favorite because their physical needs/capabilities were compatible. She got to spend an ideal amount of time with him. They were able to have physical closeness that is important to a mother and child. As Khalil grew up and entered his rambunctious toddler stage, she was not able to continue that level of closeness. More and more Khalil was mainly out of the house. As most of us know but do not acknowledge, a lot of what being a mother can be is typically emphasized on physical capability. Slice’s illness brought on a feeling of imposter syndrome because she did not meet that image of “mom” we so often see. However, she reminds herself of two important things. One, Khalil will get older and become mentally/verbally mature. He will begin to understand his mother more and her needs, as she will with him. Their bond will only grow stronger. Two, she has almost mastered the emotional and mental aspects of parenting. That is, to support, listen, and care for your own child’s mental well-being.  

Quotes: 

“Fortunately, love isn’t a collection of capacities, of practical contributions. My love isn’t diminished by my inability to carry my son up the stairs, just as it isn’t diminished by the fact that I didn’t carry him in my uterus.” (Pg. 132) 

“He knew I was there for him, even if my body wasn’t.” (Pg. 133) 

“Years of restricted movement have trained me to attend, to slow down, to savor.” (Pg. 132) 

This one made me tear up in the best possible way. Not because I felt sad or inspired. I felt that for the first time, I was hearing a parent embrace the importance of emotional connection with their child. As mentioned previously, we tend to focus on the physical. Playing games with your child, taking them to fun places, and having nap time. It’s not that any of that is unimportant, rather there comes a point where that child grows up. Kids who do not feel emotionally safe and supported by their parents will not get on well later in life with processing difficult things. Another part of Slice’s piece I liked is how she defined what love is not. Love can never be restricted to the body when the mind within can do so much without needing every function of the body. You don’t physically see love, you feel it.  

Sexcapades of the Sinless and More: A Sins Invalid Review

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Sins Invalid is a short film exploring a performance piece put on by disabled artists based in San Francisco. The performances vary in a range of unique expression but relate to the idea of sexual freedom, beauty in identity, and loving different bodyminds in different ways. Viewers get insight on the stage performance itself as well as behind the scenes. Co-Founder of Sins Invalid, Patricia Bearne, is shown speaking to her artists and reacting to their performances before they go on stage. This BTS footage is a clear showcase of how close the entire cast can be, and how special the art is to everyone involved. The addition of various types of art forms from each artist is something refreshing for the whole audience.  

A common important theme, and dare I say tone for this show, was that of an intimate one between artist and audience. While not every piece related to sexuality or sex itself, it dealt with the human body. A different bodymind than what is mostly represented in society. With that, expect to see nudity, stories of sexual encounters, and a brief tragic history lesson on euthanasia. While some might want to steer clear of that for personal reasons, I was able to admire the honesty. It did not just feel like being an audience member, it felt like performers truly got to be themselves possibly for the first time. That is not something I think many people in general get to experience nor are willing to for that matter. As s.e. Smith said, it felt as if “All the barriers between us have fallen away” (Pg. 271) once it began and all throughout.  

One performer by the name of Matt was on stage while audio of ableist and violent statements were thrown at him. He dodges, fights back, and bleeds on stage as if the voices were assailants attempting to kill him. This one in particular stands out the most to me. The point of his work may be obvious, but I feel it can go a step further if analyzed deeper. In that moment Matt was a victim of normalization as many people are. Normalization being a set standard of what bodies should be able to do and what they should like as well as expected behaviors associated with the bodymind. I think his performance showcased this well because of the different voices in different settings that were abusing him. Normalization is a disease. There will always be one group in power enforcing it, but that groups members can be switched out from time to time. You might be thinking why that is and author Tim Dean can explain. “Normalization does not exclusively bolster the interests of the so-called normal, since it also puts them at risk” (Pg. 144). Normalization may not switch continuously, but people do change. Even if you fit into “normal” you may not always.  

The first performer we see on stage is seen taking off her prosthetic legs and washing herself in bed. During this, she remembers a love-fling and goes into great detail about their sexcapades. This was yet another favorite of mine because it begins our show with the ultimate closeness and in my opinion, empowerment. You could tell from her movement and voice it was a happy memory for her. Two parts of this I found the most important. One, the fact that someone from the disabled community was able to display their sexuality free of judgement. And two, normalizing different types of relationships such as a casual sexual one where the woman was not degraded or shamed. I believe this opening felt powerful enough to be an example of someone from the disabled community “actively owning” a space as Smith writes (Pg. 272), and I could not be more encouraging of that energy.  

Overall, this show earns a 4/5 star rating from me. One main point of emphasis felt related to the idea of de-sexualization of those with a disability. Often people wrongly assume they are asexual or call them asexual which is not only the wrong terminology (asexual an identity a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not equivalent to de-sexualization) but a false, ignorant narrative. Many people may wonder how people with physical and mental disabilities have sex to begin with. If you are one of those people, I recommend reading some literature on relationships within the disability community. Additionally, there is such a thing as medically assisted sex. Vice recently put out a piece on this titled “Inside The World of Medically Assisted Sex.” The purpose is to encourage sexual freedom and desires of those who have been restricted from it physically and socially through payment of another person to service someone. Once you’ve done some light education, then I advise you to watch this beautiful art performance if you’re into some abstract thinking.   

Being, Becoming, Doing, Connecting: A Review of “Disability Visibility”

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Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century may be over 300 pages, but is among the faster-paced books you will read this year. Opening with an introduction by the collection’s editor Alice Wong, Disability Visibility features the writing of 34 artists, scientists, devout worshippers, authors, critics—sharing their insights on disabled life, activism, and community. Each chapter falls between two and ten pages of light autobiographical prose, and although each is unique in its own aspect, the variety of perspectives come together as a vibrant mural to prove that disabled never equals defective, and that wellness is both personal and relative.

Examining the four subheadings of the text— Being, Becoming, Doing, and Connecting— gives a fuller picture of the aim of Disability Visibility, a narrative documentation of each author’s journey from invisibility to proud self-embodiment. Each writer begins from the circumstances of their life, and choose a true personal story which best illustrates the complex intersections of their disability to their social life, relationships, employment, and aspects of identity (sex, gender, orientation, race, class, etc.). The way that the world reacts to disability is centralized among these, because issues of accessibility begin with the design of our society. Reyma McCoy McDeid, an autistic treasurer and author, shares on page 220 (a chapter entitled “Lost Cause”) that once she disclosed her neurodivergence at the disability advocacy center where she worked, the atmosphere changed drastically. “My coworkers, all passionate about serving people with disabilities, did not appreciate having a disabled coworker.” She was repeatedly discouraged from running for office after disclosing her neurodivergence at work, but this did not stop her.

So, it’s not just stigma and self-confidence; ableist rhetoric leeches into the public mind and informs our definitions of health, beauty, and even life itself. These perceptions can be positively and negatively biased, but almost always come from a place of assuming nondisability in society. Ariel Henley, the author of “There’s a Mathematical Equation That Proves I’m Ugly—Or So I Learned in My Seventh-Grade Art Class”, provides an unusual example: using the Golden Ratio to determine objective beauty on a ten-point scale. She writes on page 61 that “Never had an individual been ranked a perfect ten, but still we lived in a society that found the need to measure and rate and rank and score.” These measurements of the face and body belie measurements of self-worth, incredibly damaging for a young disabled girl who already feels too noticeable. On the converse, though equally bizarre, page 24 of Disability Visibility’s first chapter, “Unspeakable Conversations” by Harriet Mcbryde Johnson, describes the way that positive biases can be equally confusing and degrading. “There is also the bizarre fact that, where I live, Charleston, South Carolina, some people call me Good Luck Lady: they consider it propitious to cross my path when a hurricane is coming and to kiss my head just before voting day.” Can you imagine being kissed by a stranger on the street, and being told that the assault counts as a favor towards their preferred candidate? This is the power of Disability Visibility; it puts you in someone else’s shoes, and for a few pages, you experience life in tandem with the speaker. The benefits in perspective are enormous. 

So, this book is for you if disability is present in your life, and this book is for you especially if it is not. The great advantage of Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century is that it is an ethnography which reads like a diary. In other words, this book is for graduate-level reference, and this book is for high school libraries. It’s not necessarily scientific, and the writing style rarely strays from personal narrative, but this holds a power of its own because each piece has its own voice. In short, if you’ve ever wondered how to discuss, describe, and include disability in your conversations with compassion, please read this book.

An anthology of hidden realities: A review of Disability Visibility by Alice Wong

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“There’s something horrifying about realizing people don’t see you as an adult when in fact you are an adult.” (135, Sjenneson)

The quote above comes from “How to Make a Paper Crane from Rage”, a contribution to Disability Visibility by Elsa Sjunneson, where Sjunneson discusses her experience with her anger and how the world defined her by her emotions as invalid. This just one of many personal narratives documented in Disability Visibility. Each entry captures the distinct views and life experiences of its author, allowing a small insight into their reality. Most entries are around 3-5 pages long allowing the reader to sit, enjoy a short story, and have time to reflect upon what they just read without information overload. This is a very effective presentation for the narratives included, as allows the audience to digest each message and work through their personal thoughts on the issues discussed.

Disability Visibility is Academic yet Personable. This is the books strongest feature. The reader feels like they are being talked to by a person passing by on the street. Each author has their own tone, but none are extremely clinical or academic. The anthology allows each featured author a moment to shine, to take up some space. “Taking up space as a disabled person is revolutionary” (115), as Sandy Ho states in her chapter (“Canfei to Canji”). The reader gets a chance to know them, hear their views, to humanize these voices. This allows a greater retention of each author’s messages, as one feels like they are personal being talked to and can find some familiarity in a topic foreign to many. This also allows for even the most skeptical of readers to find something to relate to, something they will engage with.

The beauty of Disability Visibility is the way every narrative differs from each other, but clear themes appear as one reads the book. Not all the authors have the same world views making these themes much mor meaningful. Sentiments such as “…. for me to claim the label, when I didn’t feel “disabled enough”, felt disingenuous” (56, Eric-Udorie) are expressed multiple times in completely different context. On the other side of the coin, many times a sentiment like “Crip space is unique, a place where disability is celebrated and embraced… (273)” appears. This wide swing in visible opinions allows the reader the opportunity to build a well-rounded picture of disability. This is the main reason I would suggest this book to people, especially if they have little experience with disability. I would also like to say it has been very enlightening as someone with some experience. Learning about struggles others have faced and how they work around those struggles has been inspiring and view-shifting. Over all I would rate Disability Visibility , 4.5/5.

Readers will find overall the personal experiences are mildly alarming at the worst. However, I can guarantee there will likely be one or two entries that are disturbing or triggering. These chapters will probably be different for every person. So, I think some cation is healthy when reading certain chapters. Though, if possible, I think everyone should try to read those chapters.  I have found that each chapter is impactful in its own unique way, and by skipping some you are missing out on a journey. That being said mental health and wellness is a bigger priority than learning a new perspective.

The Power of Personal Narrative

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Disability Visibility is a collection of personal essays edited by Alice Wong. The goal of this collection is to offer insight and perspective into what it is like to have a disability. The stories share different people’s experience with disability and how society’s misconceptions and mindset towards those who are disabled has come to effected them in positive and negative ways. Each story is deep, personal, and offers a new lens into a life experience that many people are not familiar with or haven’t thought about. This collection causes us to self reflect on the way that we see and treat others in our society and community versus how they wish to be treated and seen as. It breaks down stereotypes and offers first hand accounts of what it is to be marginalized, discriminated against, and the obstacles that are faced (the obstacles we may not have originally thought of facing) when one has a disability. Not only this, but the book also focuses on people marginalized by their disability finding the spaces where they feel belonging, “Members of many marginalized groups have this shared experiential touchstone, this sense of unexpected and vivid belonging” (272).

The audience is meant to be people who are interested in learning more and breaking down their own misconceptions of disability and disability studies. Those who read it will come out with a new perspective and outlook on the disability community. This book is meant to be read by those interested in the experience of being a part of the disability community, to learn more about what that entails and what the benefits are from finding a place where one belongs. It’s about watching other people’s perspective towards their disability, religion, society, politics, and more change, “When I walk into that church service, I am not the believer that I used to be.” (58).

This communication is done through personal essay, the stories and memories of those with disability that deem these moments as valuable and worth relaying. The social expectation of this form of communication is that each essay offers a vulnerable, personal story, that contains some sort of lesson the writer learned and feels needs to be shared and learned by others. Often, these are stories from childhood that have stuck with and influenced us our entire lives, “I am ugly. There is a mathematical equation. to prove it. Or so I was told by they that sat behind me in my seventh-grade art class.” (39). These narratives are usually told in a story telling form and don’t follow an academic structure. They can be poems, essays, even verse.

In the end, I loved this book. It changed my perspective and made me look at disability and the disability community in another light. I was able to connect with the writers both personally and emotionally. I feel like I’ve been opened up to a new community and I would definitely rate this a 5 star read.