Survival! A memoir

You know that phrase 'undeserving victims'? Rubbish, if you ask me. It's akin to saying some poor souls actually deserve the misfortune they're dealt. As if it's their fault for not overcoming life's hurdles or shrugging off the daily dose of hatred they endure. Here's a shocking revelation: trauma survivors are far more likely to face abuse from people they know than from strangers. Most of these incidents occur in places like residential schools or care homes. The environment and culture in these institutions often shield abusers from scrutiny. When people dismiss bullying as 'boys being boys' or 'rough-housing' instead of calling it what it is—violence—they're essentially giving brutality the green light. Do you know who bears the brunt of this? Those who don't fit in. They become walking targets whilst everyone else either turns a blind eye or remains silent.   In the 1980s, we had vague notions of racism, sexism, homophobia, and ...

Survival: Finding success after experiencing trauma  “I recall I was placed in a small chair in front of a line of men in suits, each asking me questions. While the questions themselves weren’t exceptionally difficult, my fear of failure made me stutter. I felt small, helpless, and afraid of what might happen if I said something wrong.”   https://amzn.to/3AqNt3H In a world where mainstream storytelling often marginalises or misrepresents the experiences of disabled individuals, *Survival* emerges as a powerful voice of truth. This book, written by a disabled author who has lived through the struggles and the challenges of biases that have long skewed our understanding of disability. *Survival” is not just a story; it is a call to action—a demand for authenticity in the way we represent disabled lives. This book dismantles stereotypes and defies the misconceptions that have too often shaped our perspectives. It is a candid exploration of the strength, resilience, and humanity o...

  SURVIVAL: A Groundbreaking Memoir “As I read it depression can be triggered, by lifestyle and circumstances, as equally as it can be a physical flaw. Nurture or nature?    If I had inherited a vulnerability, through repeated attacks my strength may also have been weakened by hate. While nurture can enhance well-being, so too can environments erode it.” A revolutionary memoir that gives voice to those who often go unheard in our society. This compelling work sheds light on the hidden experiences of disabled individuals, survivors of sexual abuse, and victims of domestic violence and hate crimes. Did you know that 10-25% of any given population comprises individuals with significant differences, impairments, or conditions? Or that many service users have experienced sexual or domestic abuse, yet professionals are rarely aware due to the private nature of these experiences? This memoir addresses the delicate balance between providing support and respecting privacy. It expl...

Let me share a story with you. A while back, a colleague pointed out that a book I was reading had half its reference section missing. I was puzzled, but he explained how this denied recognition to the voices the authors had drawn upon to write the text. That really stuck with me!    Years later, I started using references to gauge whether writers had truly engaged with key voices in their field. I noticed that even books about equality, diversity, and inclusion rarely went beyond a cursory mention of disability in the introduction. The core sections lacked references indicating any real understanding of disability perspectives and scholarship. Inequality persisted through to the conclusion, with ableism rarely referenced alongside other forms of discrimination. You see, correctly using academic form upholds crucial values like honesty, accountability and fairness in research. Ignoring it compromises objectivity and disciplinary integrity. Embracing intersectionality, or at le...