Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong

55 reviews

allison_21's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

4.75

It's so important to hear stories from different perspectives, and to hear directly from groups that are so often marginalized. I found this book to be powerful not because it was trying to be inspirational (as it wasn't), but because it came from people sharing their own experiences. Parts of it left me encouraged, and parts left me outraged that events like those described happen to people, and not only that, but are fully allowed to happen within our current systems and laws. Thanks goes to the authors who shared their stories.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Chronic illness

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Racism, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, and Domestic abuse

yasminreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Incredible insight into so many different personal experiences. I bought this book with the intention of educating myself but I gained so much more. The joy, strength and spirit of each writer is palpable. Its a very well curated book where each essay is as good as the one before. Each piece of writing will include a content warning if required so if any I've listed put you off, just know that they are not applicable to the entire work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Xenophobia

Minor: Abortion, Blood, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Rape, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, and Death of parent

piperlee's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Wow. I feel like this book should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand diversity and deepen their activism and empathy. What an amazing compilation of so many powerful disabled writers, activists, artists and more. So much diversity is reflected in this book, as well, adding such beautifully rich layers to every narrative.
As someone recently disabled, I felt incredibly seen and understood through the voices of multiple contributors.
Highly, highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Medical content

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness

autumn_alwaysreadingseason's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.0

This collection features a range of essays from authors with a variety of disabilities and interests. Topics revolve around disability justice and fighting stereotypes. There are mentions of historical figures, arguments, and laws (genocide, ADA, NYC's paratransit system, misconceptions about sexuality) as well as recent campaigns, hashtags, and reclamation that dismantle them. Each essay is accompanied by a set of content warnings for readers.

Favorites:
"There's a Mathematical Equation that Proves I'm Ugly" by Ariel Henley
"The Erasure of Indigenous People in Chronic Illness" by Jen Deerinwater
"Radical Visibility" by Sky Cubacub
"Guide Dogs Don't Lead People. We Wander As One" by Haben Girma
"Imposter Syndrome and Parenting with a Disability" by Jessica Slice
"Incontinence is a Public Health Issue - And We Need to Talk About It" bu Mari Ramsawakh
"The Fearless Benjamin Lay" by Eugene Grant
"Love Means Never Having to Say... Anything" by Jamison Hill

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

kokie's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This collection was mind-opening, perspective-changing, beautifully written, and must read writing! Most of the stories are rather short, but each one packs an enormous punch! I am mulling over so many of these stories, and I can't wait to talk to someone else about some of the things I noticed in the plot, but also in the writing! I borrowed this book from my library, but I will need to get my own copy ASAP to start a reread (the first of what I think will be many). Please also note that there are content warnings at the beginning of many chapters for those who might need them.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts