**The Importance of Disability Representation and Advocacy**
I'm happy to be able to do that. I love audiobooks and some books are just better on audio. Gauntlet thrown! You know, I'm very well aware of the privilege that I experience as someone with an invisible disability. That is slowly disappearing the older I get, the more visible it is, but most of my life I have been able to run into target and not be bothered. A lot of disabled people cannot do that. You know, people with visible conditions, disfigurements, whatever it might be, whether you use a mobility aid or anything like that . . . a service dog. If you have a visible disability, there is a higher percentage of people responding to you in a very negative way and sometimes an even violent way. And so it's really important to understand that, and so it's been really important to talk about the different types of disability and how that can present.
**Disability Rights Advocates**
So in that vein I think Carly Findlay is one of the best disability rights advocates in regards to bodily difference, particularly facial differences. She edited this anthology. I don't have her memoir in print because it's published in Australia, but I really appreciate her work, and she does such an excellent job. So please go check out her work. On that topic, recently I also read A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley. My copy has wandered off somewhere. I don't know if I loaned it to someone or I stashed it in a safe place. I don't know. I have a squirrel brain. But i really really love Ariel Henley's work. She was born with Cruezo Syndrome, both she and her sister; they're twins. And it's where the bones of your skull fuse too early, and so as your brain grows, it has nowhere to go. And so they have to go in and expand your skull but that also creates a facial difference that you can see more. So that memoir is such a beautiful a beautiful tribute to her childhood and the people that loved her, but it also talks about the really difficult things that she grew up with having a facial difference. So I think these are really important topics as well definitely go check out these disability rights activists.
**Empowerment through Representation**
And yeah, I have really appreciated a lot of the disability rights advocates that I've seen. Imani Barbarin, or @CrutchesAndSpice, is always wonderful. Her TikToks are just stellar. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, who wrote Care Work, also has a memoir called Dirty River, and I really appreciate their work with Disability Justice and that topic. And I mean, I could go on forever. I mean, obviously. This photo . . . I have a lot of books hanging around and apparently. I'm even missing some because I still can't find Ariel's book. And it's around here somewhere. I am just so grateful for the disability community.
**The Importance of Community**
All right, then. I'm so grateful for the people who have been really encouraging to me. I hope you enjoy the Disability Pride content. Thank you so much for watching this, and you can check out all the resources below. I really appreciate you all, and I hope you all are hanging in there. I will return with some themed wrap-ups from the first part of my year, but the first thing I want to film um next is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. So I'm gonna review this book next, because there's a lot to discuss in regards to disability and the representation in this book. So yeah, all right that's it. But until next time! Bye, friends!
**Book Review: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow**
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - A Review
Gabrielle Zevin's novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow explores the intersection of art, identity, disability, and humanity through three characters' lives. As a reader who is passionate about representation in literature, I was eager to dive into this book.
One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its portrayal of people with disabilities. The main character, Sam, has autism, which is skillfully woven throughout the narrative. While there are moments where Sam's autism is used as a plot device or explained away, Zevin also delves into the complexities and nuances of living with autism.
Another significant aspect of the book is its exploration of disability justice. The characters' experiences with disability intersect with issues of social inequality, ableism, and marginalization. Through these narratives, Zevin sheds light on the ways in which society can perpetuate harm against people with disabilities and how we can work towards creating a more just and equitable world.
However, some readers may find that the novel's focus on intellectualism and high culture detracts from its portrayal of disability. While Sam's love of video games is an important aspect of his character development, I couldn't help but feel that Zevin prioritized the narrative over the voices and perspectives of people with disabilities themselves.
In conclusion, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes in disability representation. While it may have its flaws, this book will undoubtedly resonate with readers who are passionate about disability justice and advocacy.