Todd's Review of Waist-High in the World
Here's Todd's review of Waist-High in The World: A Life Among the Nondisabled (Mairs, Nancy). Post comments to share your thoughts!
This is an autobiographical type of book. It is well written, engaging and a fairly quick read. This is not a feel good book but rather a feel real book.
The book is divided into two parts:
1. Home Truths
2. The Wider World
Nancy (the author) was diagnosed with MS after the age of 25 and George has cancer.
Her MS began with a bad ankle that made it difficult for her to walk. The cause of her MS is unknown, however it could be a genetic predisposition toward MS.
George was a caretaker for Nancy. Being in a wheelchair has given a different view of life rather then the perspectives you get standing up. She wants to be independent, yet it is very difficult for her.
Nancy is thrilled that she is able to write.
The Wider World:
It is hard for Nancy to get through certain doors with her wheelchair. She realizes that the world is not that accessible for disabled people.
It is hard for disabled people to get jobs.
Nancy writes, "what is critical is an understanding of the realities disability imposes, and the only way finally to develop the necessary empathy is through knowing disabled individuals. Most nondisabled people I know are so driven by their own fears of damage and death that they dread contact, let alone interaction, with anyone touched by affliction of any kind, as my mother-in-law demonstrated, not for the first time, just the other night." Page 100
Nancy has made suicide attempts but was almost successful.
Nancy feels that people should sit down when they want to talk to her. That way they could be at eye level.
Her interest in writing began in 7th or 8th Grade. Eventually, she wrote a novel about The West.
George and Nancy traveled to Africa and London together.
It is hard for Nancy to maneuver through the airport.
At first, when she gets to the Monk's house, there is no way for her to get in. She ends up getting in through the garden.
There is no sad ending for this book. We do not find out what happens to Nancy and George.
This book is a very worthwhile read! You will get a new perspective on how it feels to be disabled.
This is an autobiographical type of book. It is well written, engaging and a fairly quick read. This is not a feel good book but rather a feel real book.
The book is divided into two parts:
1. Home Truths
2. The Wider World
Nancy (the author) was diagnosed with MS after the age of 25 and George has cancer.
Her MS began with a bad ankle that made it difficult for her to walk. The cause of her MS is unknown, however it could be a genetic predisposition toward MS.
George was a caretaker for Nancy. Being in a wheelchair has given a different view of life rather then the perspectives you get standing up. She wants to be independent, yet it is very difficult for her.
Nancy is thrilled that she is able to write.
The Wider World:
It is hard for Nancy to get through certain doors with her wheelchair. She realizes that the world is not that accessible for disabled people.
It is hard for disabled people to get jobs.
Nancy writes, "what is critical is an understanding of the realities disability imposes, and the only way finally to develop the necessary empathy is through knowing disabled individuals. Most nondisabled people I know are so driven by their own fears of damage and death that they dread contact, let alone interaction, with anyone touched by affliction of any kind, as my mother-in-law demonstrated, not for the first time, just the other night." Page 100
Nancy has made suicide attempts but was almost successful.
Nancy feels that people should sit down when they want to talk to her. That way they could be at eye level.
Her interest in writing began in 7th or 8th Grade. Eventually, she wrote a novel about The West.
George and Nancy traveled to Africa and London together.
It is hard for Nancy to maneuver through the airport.
At first, when she gets to the Monk's house, there is no way for her to get in. She ends up getting in through the garden.
There is no sad ending for this book. We do not find out what happens to Nancy and George.
This book is a very worthwhile read! You will get a new perspective on how it feels to be disabled.
posted by book1 at 4:55 PM
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