Don't Call Me Inspirational: A Disabled Feminist Talks Back (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781439909379)

For psychotherapist, painter, feminist, filmmaker, writer, and disability activist Harilyn Rousso, hearing well-intentioned people tell her, "You're so inspirational " is patronizing, not complimentary.

In her empowering and at times confrontational memoir, Don't Call Me Inspirational, Rousso, who has cerebral palsy, describes overcoming the prejudice against disability--not overcoming disability. She addresses the often absurd and ignorant attitudes of strangers, friends, and family.

Rousso also examines her own prejudice toward her disabled body, and portrays the healing effects of intimacy and creativity, as well as her involvement with the disability rights community. She intimately reveals herself with honesty and humor and measures her personal growth as she goes from "passing" to embracing and claiming her disability as a source of pride, positive identity, and rebellion.

A collage of images about her life, rather than a formal portrait, Don't Call Me Inspirational celebrates Rousso's wise, witty, productive, outrageous life, disability and all.

Author: Harilyn Rousso
ISBN-10: 1439909377
ISBN-13: 9781439909379
Publisher: Temple University Press
Language: English
Published: 01/18/2013
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.20w x 0.70d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2012
Library Journal 04/01/2013 pg. 97