David,
Thanks for your thoughtful replies. Of course I will contribute OTHER
examples of personal disability narratives (thanks for the suggestions). And
yes, it is time for an anthology of memoirs/reflections. Story is the backbone
of culture, and personal experience in a disabling society has lessons for
everyone.
The problem with so many of the earlier (pre 1980?) narratives is that they
model the Quest genre: single hero/ine in search of meaning, encounters all
sorts of weird people and events...but 'manages' to 'overcome' and to
'adjust'--without once questioning the culpability of his/her environment and
its authorities. 'Course, publishers love a good quest tale; they often see
authentic insights on society as 'too depressing' or threatening?
Many thanks,
D
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