Getting Life

by Julie Shaw Cole

Fiction. This fictionalized account of disability, according to Mary Johnson, fills a gap in human understanding. It accomplished my definition of the purpose of any art. It changed the way I think about the subject. I was forced to rethink my own assumptions about being disabled and the rights of disabled people...By placing the reader in the wheelchair, in the closet, in the window watching, it demystitied many aspects of the physical reality of awareness and experience in such a way that we could all feel and smell what the main character did-- Moira Adams, writer and social activist.

303 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2000

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Advocado Press. I was intrigued to see how the author handled presenting her heroine's perspective when she was basically considered nonverbal at the beginning of the novel. No one had bothered to find a way to communicate with her or for to communicate with them, but boy, when they did, Emily's life took off like nobody's business.

I know the entire book took place over a period of about three years, but in some ways, it felt as if Emily blossomed practically overnight. Not only did she find her voice, she found a place to call home, things that she loved doing, and even started to develop a romantic relationship by the end of the novel. She got a life.

I was just compelled to keep reading until I finished the story. It was a fascinating look into the mind and life of someone who generally wouldn't be noticed by the outside world, and I cheered for the fire inside her. She was a character to remember.

[Annie Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but thought the plot could have used a bit more action toward the beginning and middle sections. I also noticed some punctuation errors, and is it just me or did Grandma Sample just kind of appear out of thin air toward the middle of the book? Otherwise, I thought it was a great read to bring the perspective of the "gimp" to "normates." I think everyone should give it a read. Makes me want to find a group where I can help people learn to read. :)