CW: Ableism, Eugenics, & Euthanasia
Yesterday I read Megan Giller’s article in The Boston Globe. While recovering from surgeries, she will be reading non-fiction books written by other people who have experienced disability or chronic illness. She notices a troubling pattern in these books.
Many books dealing with disability whether fiction or nonfiction, focus on curing or killing a disabled person. There are very few books that focus on disabled people living full lives while being disabled. For example, at the end of Heidi, Klara miraculously no longer uses a wheelchair.
On the other hand, books like Me Before You reinforce the ableist idea that disability is a fate worse than death. Despite falling in love, the main character sees himself as a burden to others. He even says that he doesn’t want his girlfriend to miss out on the things someone else could give her. Ultimately, he chooses to end his life through euthanasia.
Books like these reinforce ableist attitudes. Disabled people are not better off dead. We don’t always want to be cured.
There are plenty of books that portray disability in a more positive light. Many disabled authors write authentically about their lives. Authors like Alice Wong and Emily Ladau have written about disability as part of their identities, both for better and worse.
Disabled people can fall in love, raise families, and live wonderful lives. Books often portray disability as something that needs to be fixed or as a fate worse than death, which is not the case whatsoever.
Source:
Giller, Megan. “Why Do Disability Stories Have Only Two Endings? .” The Boston Globe, Boston Globe Media , 29 Dec. 2024, http://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/29/opinion/kill-or-cure-disability-story-endings/.