Friday, December 3 marked 2021’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We invite you to reflect on the day with our selection of BC-published books by, for, or about persons with disabilities. These books and authors are dedicated to creating a more inclusive, accessible culture that allows persons with disabilities to participate, lead, and thrive. Read on!
Crip Kinship: The Disability Justice & Art Activism of Sins Invalid by Shayda Kafai (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Sins Invalid is a San Francisco Bay Area-based performance project, known for its radical speculation on the possibilities and power of disabled, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming bodyminds of colour. Crip Kinship shares the story of the art project through the lens of disability activism.
Beyond the Legal Limit by Pat Henman (Caitlin Press)
This affecting memoir tells the story of a mother and daughter who survived a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Both faced serious, life-threatening injuries and were forced into the confusing world of insurance settlements, a criminal trial against the impaired driver, and a broken legal system. Pat writes candidly about the accident and their family’s ongoing struggle in a powerful memoir demanding justice not just for her family, but for all victims.
How to Lose Everything by Christa Couture (Douglas & McIntyre)
An inspirational memoir about coping with loss, trauma and grief. Couture lost her leg to amputation from childhood bone cancer. Then, she lost two children, and went through a painful divorce. Despite so much tragedy, Couture’s story offers compassion and kinship to those suffering from any kind of trauma.
My Father, Fortune-tellers & Me by Eufemia Fantetti (Mother Tongue Publishing Limited)
This coming-of-age story is sure to resonate with many families. Fantetti’s debut memoir explores her family’s devastating experiences as her mother struggled with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The book is filled with humour and heart.
The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging by Hannalora Leavitt, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich (Orca Book Publishers)
Looking to introduce the children in your life to disability activism? This book for ages 12 and up introduces children to the history of mistreatment that people with disabilities have faced, as well as celebrating the victories of those affected by disability and the activists fighting for a more accessible world.
Disabled Voices Anthology edited by sb smith (Rebel Mountain Press)
A collection of fiction, non-fiction, personal essay, poetry, and artwork written by members of the disabled community. The collection includes contributions from over 30 international writers and artists exploring themes such as abuse, ableism, identity, substance use disorders, activism, access, gender, race, sex and sexuality, and pain.
Among Silent Echoes: A Memoir of Trauma and Resilience by Phyllis Dyson (Caitlin Press)
Terry Milos, author of North of Familiar, has said that in this striking memoir “Dyson bares her soul to help us understand how mental health issues affect families. The story of her life from a child to a successful adult shows strength and resilience, and is truly an inspiration.” Inspired to break the cycle of abuse, Dyson finally speaks out on the tragedies she experienced as a child.
Surviving Logan by Erik Bjarnason, Cathi Shaw (RMB | Rocky Mountain Books)
The true story of a 2005 expedition to the top of Mount Logan in the Yukon gone wrong. When three mountaineers find themselves trapped by a cyclone on one of the mountain’s dangerous exposed ridges. With little gear, the explorers must survive the storm and face unimaginable odds. The group survived, but co-author Eric Bjarnason lost all nine fingers to frostbite. In the aftermath, Bjarnason retrained and requalified for his job as a firefighter, reclaimed his mountaineering career, and went on to summit Russia’s Mount Elbrus a mere 13 months after this life-changing event.
People Like Frank and other stories from the edge of normal by Jenn Ashton (Tidewater Press)
This intriguing story is split between the perspective of multiple characters, who are seeking to overcome physical or psychological challenges. Readers will find themselves celebrating the characters’ victories and triumphs with them in this inspirational and heartfelt book.
Beep Beep Bubbie by Bonnie Sherr Klein (Tradewind Books)
Quill & Quire has said of this charming children’s book that author Bonnie Sherr Klein ”brings her legacy of activism to a picture book about grandparenting.” Kate, a young girl who loves her Bubbie (grandmother), struggles to see the matriarch adjust to life with a motorized scooter. Eventually, she finds the fun in Bubbie’s scooter and learns to love the freedom and help that it offers her grandmother.
The Care We Dream Of: Liberatory and Transformative Approaches to LGBTQ+ Health by Zena Sharman (Arsenal Pulp Press)
A follow up to Lambda Literary award-winning author Zena Sharman’s anthology The Remedy: Queer and Trans Voices on Health and Health Care, The Care We Dream Of imagines a more inclusive health care system. With contributions from Alexander McClelland and Zoe Dodd, Blyth Barnow, Carly Boyce, jaye simpson, Jillian Christmas, Joshua Wales, Kai Cheng Thom, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Sand C. Chang, the book offers an illuminating perspective on the possibilities for healthcare reform.