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gemmapz's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Medical content, Ableism, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Excrement, Body horror, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
teeclecticreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Excrement, Homophobia, Ableism, and Medical content
chainingbooks's review
5.0
Graphic: Ableism and Excrement
Moderate: Homophobia and Medical content
Minor: Racism
cghegan's review
3.5
Graphic: Ableism and Excrement
caseythereader's review against another edition
3.75
- SIPPING DOM PERIGNON THROUGH A STRAW is a memoir that feels like listening to your smart, funny friend tell you stories. Read by Ndopu himself, he brings across all the joy and frustration packed into this short, snappy book.
- Earlier this year, I read Judith Heumann's memoir, which covers her fight to get an education in the 1950s-60s. Reading Ndopu's memoir now strikes home how much advancement there has been in access for disabled people and how much is still exactly the same.
- I do wish there had been more detail on Ndopu's activism and schoolwork. However, I also see the reason and benefit of structuring the book around his access issues: it shows precisely how much ableism is baked into the system and how it gets in the way of literally everything else he is trying to do.
Graphic: Alcohol, Excrement, Ableism, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia
bookishmillennial's review
I am floored by Eddie's experiences, but this is not the place for my non-disabled tears. Eddie takes us through his first year of his master's in public policy program at Oxford University. However, the story begins at the time of his admission and acceptance, because he points out the way the systems that the world operates in --and more specifically, that academia is in-- are incredibly ableist because of the constant roadblocks to accessibility. Though anyone would be thrilled to receive a full scholarship to Oxford (and let's not get it twisted; Eddie absolutely is!), there is no mention of awarding Eddie an additional stipend for care aids and accommodations he will need in order to have a fully immersive and thorough student experience, especially since he will be so far from home (South Africa). Once Eddie raises $20k pounds with the help of his friends and family, he is completely ready to start his Oxford adventure and to continue his quest in making the world a more accessible place for disabled folks everyone! Right? No. Then, he runs into another roadblock because of the visa situation for his care taker.
This is pretty much how the first half of the book feels; you're anticipating the next chapter, hoping to hear about Eddie's experiences at Oxford, and then, abruptly and relentlessly, Eddie is constantly at a standstill with waiting for care, empathy, and urgency, due to the inaccessible reality of Oxford (this was in 2016, so I'm unsure if it's changed by now but .... I work in academia and ..... I'm not confident). Eddie gets used to a revolving door of care aids throughout the school year, is charged even more costs for his care (upwards of $80k), is perpetually let down by academic leadership, the care agency, wealthier people who say they care, and by his aides throughout the book. It feels exhausting to listen to, and I think that was an intentional choice by Eddie, to show just how draining and disheartening this entire process could be for him. He constantly has to be an advocate for himself, which means he can never truly feel rested or at peace. He recognizes the responsibility he has in fighting for disability rights since he has worked with world leaders, but he also is just a young adult trying to have a good graduate student experience. He deserved to have fun, to fully enjoy this experience away from home, and so many ableist policies and behaviors of the school and others kept getting in his way.
This isn't a story to make you feel pity towards or feel bad for Eddie; he graciously shared so much with us because I don't know that many of us non-disabled folks would ever quite know the reality of what Eddie went through on a daily basis, and possibly what others who share his same disability do too. No one disabled author is the voice for all disabled folks. However, I thought this shined a spotlight on the more challenging and infuriating parts of being disabled. Multiple times throughout the story, Eddie mentions having to barter being kind/palatable and grateful, in exchange for kindness and care -- when he described this about his CARE AID, I was fuming. We are all human; we all deserve dignity, care, respect and compassion. We should not have to be palatable or "easy to work with" in order for others to care about the issues that we are going through. To be a Black disabled man is a reality I will never know. However, I will try to use my privilege to elevate and uplift marginalized voices in the ways that I can.
I highly recommend reading this for non-disabled folks especially. It presents the stark reality of what being disabled is like in a world that to be frank, just loudly and proudly shows it doesn't give a shit. Academia has a long way to go, but this goes for the whole world too! It was embarrassing as a higher education administrator to see the way higher-ed admins mistreated, toxic positivitied, dismissed, and objectified Eddie. I do not claim them but I know they're real.
On the other hand, if you have spinal muscular atrophy and this hits a bit too close to home for you, take care of yourself in choosing whether or not you want to read a book like this. It's up to you, and regardless of your experiences, I believe you.
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Classism, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Excrement, Cursing, and Medical content