Living with Ableism Book
I am writing a creative nonfiction book called “Living with Ableism” that connects my experience with illness and disability with the research on ableism. My book is grounded within the disability justice community.
I’ve had my ovary twist up and die while doctors told me the pain was just anxiety. I have had doctors cut on my genitals without my permission, telling me it wouldn’t hurt much, and yelling at me to shut up while I screamed. I became disabled from complications from a surgery that the doctor kept telling me went very well. I have unfortunately many riveting and telling stories of mistreatment by doctors, lack of access to events, and struggles related to the lack of support for people with disabilities.
PXL_20230503_201743305.mp4What is Ableism?
This is the story of my life with ableism – the ways in which ableism has shaped my experiences and my life course. Ableism is the systemic dehumanization of disabled people. When individuals enact ableism, it is often done unconsciously. Ableism is so socialized into us that we don’t recognize it when it shows up. My story is framed within research on the relationship between ableism and socialization, intersectionality, hysteria, the workplace, motherhood, community, and activism.
I find healing in knowing that there are so many readers who can relate to my story given that an estimated 61 million adults in the U.S. have a disability according to the CDC. I hope that readers will be able to follow my example and unpack the ways in which ableism has shaped their lives. I hope to inspire readers who aren’t disabled to consider how ableism could impact them in the future since people become disabled every day.