I Am Not a Label: 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present

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I Am Not A Label is intelligent and politically bold at the same time as being beautiful to browse – every bookshelf needs a copy. When I was younger, I wanted to be the child who flew to Neverland, or a magical creature, or a princess in a tower under the spell of aspindle, or have hair so long and tangled that people could climb up it. But none of those children looked like me. That’s because I wasborn with one hand and for some of my childhood even had an actual hook, so really, I looked far more like a stereotypical pirate than the hero of the story. This is an anthology of tales about disabled artist, athletes, activists, thinkers, writers, performers and dreamers, finding joy, normality and wonder in a world that deems is “different”(as though this is something bad) This is a very empowering book that highlights the limitations now-famous people have had to deal with throughout their childhood/lives due to their disabilities, but also shines a light on how it didn't stop them from dreaming big and achieving what they wanted! I think it really shows beautifully how society is where the limitations lie, not with disabilities! I love how this has people from all over the world too, and not just the US!

I Am Not a Label: 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and

Gary’s story shows how the brokenness in his life is transformed and delicately held together by hope and love. He tells it with straightforwardness, and the book would have you reading from the start and following him through his journey of transformation. The sharing of his long buried sexual trauma marks a milestone in his journey of self-healing, as he confronts and overcomes his deepest shame. Gary’s book gives hope to those tried by life’s adversities, and offers a grounded perspective on living purposefully for self and others. In this stylishly illustrated biography anthology, meet 30 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities, from past and present. From Frida Kahlo to Stephen Hawking, find out how these iconic figures have overcome obstacles, owned their differences and paved the way for others by making their bodies and minds work for them. These short biographies tell the stories of people who have faced unique challenges which have not stopped them from becoming trailblazers, innovators, advocates and makers. Each person is a leading figure in their field, be it sport, science, maths, art, breakdance or the world of pop.I was moved by these stories. Burnell's book is for everyone and every age. The wonder of what the human spirit can accomplish is marvelous. This is the best fun ever!" How South Asian weddings inspired Zanib Mian to write about Pakistani culture I Am Not A Label is an anthology of stories aimed at older children, exploring the lives of 34 “disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present”, published by Wide Eyed Editions.

Cerrie Burnell: I Am Not A Label | BookTrust

Cerrie Burnell is an actress, singer, playwright, author and former television presenter for CBeebies (2009–2017). She was born with half a right arm and has sought to increase visibility of disabled people through her career in presenting, writing and acting. One thing I also appreciated was how “I Am Not a Label” discusses disabilities. Burnell doesn’t focus on the challenges of disabilities and highlights all of the aspirations, ambition, compassion, and dreams the featured people have, but at the same time she makes it a point to discuss the cultural stereotypes that make it difficult to navigate being a disabled youth. Some cultures viewed disability as a curse, some made people think and feel like they wouldn’t amount to anything simply because of a difference in their bodies or minds. I think that is where this book is such a powerful one: children can only learn to act against systemic oppression, whether it’s ableism or racism or sexism or other forms of disenfranchisement, if they understand that disabled folx are as capable and deserving of respect and opportunity and love as anyone else and ALSO they many times they are living in cultures and societies they devalue them. And we can work against that and change our cultures to be truly inclusive if we hear stories like these, gain better understanding of some of the cultural frameworks in which disabled folx grow up, and empower children to work to create more inclusive, accessible communities for everyone. Illness also creates disability, like Henri Matisse's cancer that caused him to fins a new way of doing art, resulting in some of his most beloved works. The range of people written about are diverse and range from Lincoln to a trans model called Aaron Philip.The illustrations are beautiful and engaging, and I truly believe that this book will provide children with an opportunity to learn about others with different abilities from their own before any preconceptions around “disabilities” are developed. I learned from this book, as did my daughter, so is certainly one of those timeless books that can span generations, allowing more to be taken from it with each read. We shall certainly be revisiting it. Peter Dinklage, Catalina Devandas, Wanda Diaz-Merced, Victor Pineda, Arunima Sinha, Abraham Lincoln,

I Am Not a Label; We Are One Race, The Human Race (Video) I Am Not a Label; We Are One Race, The Human Race (Video)

The first word that springs to mind upon opening I Am Not A Label is: ‘finally’. What a delight to find a book brimming with deaf and disabled role models who are the star of each story. This book is overdue, and it’s fantastically written and curated, hitting the mark for a mind-opening and world-expanding read for children, young people and adults, too. Thanks so much for your lovely message and for everything that you do with Book Wagon. Yourself and Bob are much cherished in our booky world and I personally really appreciate everything that you do. I have even talked the head into a little revamp of the library so that we can display them properly!The book is framed by the social model and it’s exciting to see this explained with ease and confidence in a book aimed at young people. Each person featured in the collection has led “a fascinating life, often overcoming misconceptions and prejudice to do so” – not a whiff of the “overcoming their disability” narrative that too often permeates.