A review by theautumnalreader
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

“Nothing about us without us...so, please, don’t speak for us, about us, or over us. Speak to us and with us.” 

Walking into this book as a disabled person, I came in with the completely wrong mindset that this book wasn’t written for me but it is. Yes, I’m continually and frustratingly being met with ableism, but I’ve also internalized it and have been ableist in different ways - I’m not off the hook for being in the community. I think that’s the beauty of Ladau’s book, both disabled and non-disabled people can benefit and gently be called in, and I wish I had the funds on my teacher budget to pass out her book as an invitation for a primer in Disability Justice. I’d especially recommend this book to anyone who would like to be in community with us but need examples of phrasing, ideas on what to look out for, and even just good rules of thumb. Ladau tells you herself that this is a primer and is inconclusive but points you to many resources that meet different intersections of marginalization. 

My high praises aren’t singularly focused on helping people become better accomplices but on seeing the vulnerability Ladau shared that I’ve felt and wished I could have put into words myself. I remember crying when I read Ladau write, “My cheeks have burned red with embarrassment as I asked for help with certain physical tasks...I’ve lost sleep over fears that my disability makes me undeserving of being romantically loved...ableism takes a heavy toll. Too many disabled people have been led to believe that our lives are not worth living.” (75) 

Ladau uses her platform to remind readers, just as the Disability Justice movement pushes, that disabled lives are worthy and worth living. 
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