Speaking of books and blogging I have been in a major slump. Then I came up with a idea and it got me inspired again. To start let me explain. I am profoundly Deaf and I have Bipolar. I see people posting about Young Adult books and all of that but nobody (that I know of) posts about books about people with disabilities so I am going to start. I feel that this is a topic that needs to be addressed. Far too often people people with disabilities are misrepresented or excluded from the media. Even when I see people with disabilities portrayed in books I cringe at the often misrepresention of such disability Especially when it comes to mental illness.
For example, When I read crime or horror books if they have a person with mental illness they are often portrayed as violent psychopaths that are hell bent on causing harm wherever they go. My blood especially starts to boil with they claim the person has bipolar. I know there are a VERY few that are like this but the majority I know and myself included never even have such violent fantasies. Yet when I come out with bipolar I often get I read this… or I saw that movie. It is time for a change.
This is not the only stereotype that I have come across. Disabilities are as varied as the people who have them. Yet in the media it is like each one comes with a standard formula that transpires across all characters. I have talked to some of my friends and this is a common refrain.
I have some books on this topic and that is where I will start. As time goes on I hope to find more books with people with disabilities in them. It should be a fun and informative project. If you want to join me feel free!