2016 Dec 5
New book reveals collection of personal accounts, stories of individuals with disabilities
Author Shalini F Wickremesooriya PHD believes that many of us encounter individuals with disabilities in our lives but somehow we push them back into a dark corner of discomfort, unable to give them light or voice. They are either family members or part of the social fabric of communities. They are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden. However, their voices, although silent or ignored, are real.
In her new book, “Invincible” (published by Bay Owl The Perera –Hussein Publishing house ), she gives people with disability a chance to be heard, inspiring readers to learn and understand more about them. The book contains stories as told by individuals with disabilities. Each story looks at an individual with a unique disability and takes readers through the journey the individual has been through while highlighting thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and everyday life with all its challenges. Set in different countries, this book reflects different lifestyles, economic statuses, cultures and religions. The narratives are funny, sad and matter-of-factly. For instance-
“As I walk in the gorge and spot a butterfly, I sense the butterfly’s feelings, its thoughts and its expectations, as it flies to a flower and gently hovers before daintily placing its feet on the delicate petals. As the butterfly gently rubs its nose savoring the beautiful aroma and enjoying the tickles, I know it is asking for permission to drink deeply. I am fascinated and drawn to the reverence, gentleness and love that surround these acts; rare characteristics in humans.”
Invincible’s greatest strength is its authenticity of voice. It does not amplify or caricature. It does not try to be didactic. It simply urges
“A change in attitude towards individuals with disabilities can make communities richer, stronger, tolerant, loving and kind,” the author says. “It can also free communities from strife, division, hatred and pride. In a nutshell, by changing one’s attitude towards disability, one can become a healthy and beautiful person from within.”
A light read in some ways, it is heavy in the onus it leaves the readers; many no doubt who will read this and find so much that resonates as familiar, and yet revealing.
The book subtly achieves the ability to make us look at our world differently, to face pain and discomfort and explore the far reaches of others incapacity and find ways to understand or cope better. Some books help signpost us when we are lost or looking at the margins of a map we cannot decipher. Disability is for the most part disregarded, or at best pushed to the margins. Invincible might very well be such a book and help many of us challenge the notion of disability and what or where our margins are set.
