More the Same than Different: What I Wish People Knew About Respecting and Including People with Disabilities

by Lorraine Cannistra

Have you ever seen a wheelchair user who you thought might need some help, but you weren’t sure what to do? Have you ever wanted to start a conversation with someone who has a speech impediment but were afraid you might be awkward and say something offensive? More the Same than What I Wish People Knew About Respecting and Including People with Disabilities is a practical guide for anyone who may not have much experience interacting with people with disabilities and wants to feel more comfortable. Full of skills and strategies to implement, as well as stories from Lorraine’s personal experience, this book includes various scenarios and explains, from Lorraine’s perspective, what people did right and what could have happened differently. Examples of chapter titles include The Importance of What You Say, The Importance of How You Say What You Say, Empowerment, Positive Interactions, Inclusion, Inspiration and the concept of Inspiration Porn, and Disability Etiquette. This book exemplifies in many ways that we are all more the same than different. "Lorraine has been giving our readers an inside view of her life as a wheelchair user for years as a writer for Chicken Soup for the Soul. Her book is a helpful collection of observations and tips for those of us who aren't quite sure what to do when we encounter people with disabilities in our daily lives." Amy Newmark, editor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Timothy Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I wish is that everyone would read this book - it is so informative and revealing regarding how persons who happen to have a disability and may look different have been greatly excluded from our society, including day-to-day living! The author provides a very well-written account of what it is like to live with a disability in America from her personal experiences. And, it is a short, easy read.

Most of us feel uncomfortable when we encounter an unknown person with an obvious disability. Lorraine Cannistra enlightens us with engaging anecdotes, then explains clearly what was wrong and what would have been better. Thus, this book helps us overcome that discomfort by providing insights and instructions on how best to deal with them. The primary point is to respond to them with respect for their whole personhood, which is more the same than different from oneself.

Ms. Cannistra, who has contributed nine stories to "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, is an excellent writer and an excellent teacher. This should be required reading in all colleges and universities. I highly recommend it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly glad I read this book! I am sure I am not alone in not always knowing the best way to offer help to someone with a disability - do I jump in and run the risk of offending? Do I just do my thing and pretend I don't notice? Do I ask the person directly and maybe embarrass the person?

This book really helped me understand and in a way that was humorous and accessible and totally non-judgy and heartfelt. This author REALLY knows what she's talking about and absolutely made me feel that "more the same than different" paradigm. Plus her stories are GREAT!

I can totally see this book being something that someone just reads for interest OR uses as a guide to open up conversation, be a jumping off point for inclusiveness training or as part of a program for people for whom disability is a new factor in their lives.

It's a relatively quick, easy and fun read and you don't even realize you've "learned" anything until you finish the chapter. Definitely a keeper and a re-read for sure!

[Priscilla Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book written by a person with Cerebral Palsy. I wish that it had been around when my special needs child was growing and struggling with people looking and making fun. This is a head on handbook for those who are curious about people that are "different" - it should be widely read and shared.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I will re-read because it has so many good suggestions for how to navigate this world in a positive, human-centered approach.

[Leeza Overton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorraine writes beautifully! She shares how we can understand and include everyone. She has a great sense of humor and has practical advice and stories.