I’ve been nominated for “Best Blog” at the #WEGOHealthAwards! These awards seek to recognize Patient Leaders who are making an impact with their advocacy. Learn more & vote for me today.
Like any writer, I’m a big believer in the power of story. Our culture right now is experiencing a bit of churn as those of us who have been historically overlooked, vilified, and ignored are getting out there and telling our own stories, without much invitation or permission.
I had a lot of fun at The Art Academy of Cincinnati last semester teaching Don’t Call Us Dead, a powerful book of poetry by Black, queer poet Danez Smith; Get Out, the subversive screenplay by Jordan Peele; and the Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Sympathizer, which was written by Viet Thanh Ngyen, an author who’d endured being separated from his parents as a child immigrant. (I know, I know: all men! The semester before I’d featured all women, so that’s the way the see-saw tipped.) As always, I’d urged my students to tell their own stories, and to share the stories that spoke the strongest to them.
In future classes, I would love to feature brilliant disabled poets, screenwriters, and novelists. I know they must be out there. (And maybe slowly getting published?) If you have any suggestions, add to comments.
Let’s lift each other up.
UPDATE: I just found my next poet, WordPress author Susan Richardson. https://burninghousepress.com/2018/06/23/3-poems-by-susan-richardson/comment-page-1/#comment-963
Ms Lab Rat 
I realize that you wrote this in June and it is now December and you must think me terribly ungrateful…..I am just now reading this. I am so grateful and honored, not only that you mentioned me, but that you like my poetry. I cannot thank you enough.
I am as horrible at keeping up with social media as you are. I’m just reading this now.
Look at the sign on the left side, Audre Lorde proclaiming “Your silence will not protect you”–perfect for use at today’s demos against the Supreme Court’s racist Muslim ban:
** Defeating prejudice against everyone is an MS issue. **
Here is a cool list of some Black disabled women writers: https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/magazine/14-black-disabled-women-reminding-us-of-our-power/
There is a newish Audre Lorde anthology in paperback that is affordable with many of her classic essays: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Silence-Will-Not-Protect/dp/0995716226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529781584&sr=8-1&keywords=audre+lorde+your+silence+will+not+protect+you
I wish I lived closer, your class sounds so cool!
Thanks so much for this fantastic list! I just got off the phone with a phenomenal Mexican writer who tracked me down old style, through snail mail. She developed her voice in a workshop with me at least fifteen years ago and is on the verge of great success. Who knows, maybe an online class is on the way, so I can connect with more great people.
Congratulations! Your blog is so helpful to me and I’m happy you’ve been recognized in the wider world. I love that you are always questioning the status quo and empowering us to know we don’t have to blindly accept what pharmaceutical companies or doctors say. And that you are so fierce and real. Thank you for your great blog.
Gosh. .I have a lump in my throat. Thank you! Wow.
Congratulations! This was definitely well deserved and you should be so proud of yourself! I love how you write with so much real honesty! You always show so much strength and that is very encouraging!
Congratulations, Lisa! So many people mention to me that they keep up with your blog. You write with honesty and clarity, bringing hope and encouragement to others, no matter what setbacks they might be dealing with. Keep your little candle glowing.
Congratulations Lisa on your nomination!