Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us

Tracee Lydia Garner is a best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities who was diagnosed at the age of two with Spinal Muscular Dystrophy. "Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us" comes out of Garner's personal and professional life experiences as a person living with a disability and as an adult who now works in the field of disability.

Working at one of the leading Centers for Independent Living, Garner assists other people with disabilities and their families with complex case management and to confront the myriad of obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities and their friends and families. Adopting a "been there, done that" tone often throughout the book, Garner is extraordinarily well equipped to understand and believably address the physical, psychological, and emotional barriers that people with disabilities face on a day-to-day basis.

"Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us" is, unsurprisingly, written accessibly in easy to understand language and in a personal style that is matter-of-fact yet compassionate. Refreshingly devoid of the usual "rah rah" language so often associated with books about disability, Garner addresses everything from everyday matters like school and transportation to the "what ifs" of life such as disaster management and preparation.

I will confess to having been unaware of Garner prior to reading this book, a somewhat surprising fact considering I myself am also active in the disability community and a professional writer. "Disability" is truly more of a field guide - less a bio/memoir and more a truly practical "how to" guide borne out of her own memories, life experiences, and professional expertise.

At times, in fact, I longed for a bit more of the personalization. By the time I finished "Disability" I felt like I'd actually learned very little about Garner herself, a knowledge and applicability that would have helped me apply the lessons she's putting for here.

There's an argument that "Disability" will actually prove more valuable to parents and/or anyone working directly with people with disabilities - especially those in the transitional years moving from the childhood/teenage years into the young adult years.

"Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us" is an easy to understand companion for life and empowerment for those living with disabilities. Garner is obviously comfortable as both a teacher and encourager, though her rather no nonsense approach is far more about equipping people with disabilities to live as independently as possible than actually "doing" the work for them.

Again, refreshing.

Do I agree with everything in "Disability?" Oh, heck no. Even a statement asserting that people first language first should always be used rubbed me the wrong way as someone who embraces identity first language in the appropriate places and spaces. However, Garner comes from a valued place of life experience and professional knowledge and it would be nearly impossible to argue that "Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us" is an incredibly valuable resource for people with disabilities, those who love them, those who support them, and those who seek to make the world a more accessible, inclusive place for all.