Dissonant Disabilities: Women
with Chronic Illnesses Explore
Their Lives
Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue and
Fibromyalgia, feminist issues, say authors.
Whether it is fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder, arthritis or
many other chronic illnesses, most women are aware of at least one female friend, family
member or acquaintance who has faced these illnesses. Anecdotally, women’s stories have
always circulated, but now, for the first time, Diane Driedger and Michelle Owen have
compiled experiences of women with chronic illnesses from all over the world shedding light
on the discrimination, stigma, power struggles, misunderstanding by medical professionals
and relationship challenges that women face.
Driedger and Owen, themselves women with chronic illnesses will be launching their book,
Dissonant Disabilities: Women with Chronic Illnesses Explore their Lives at Ryerson
University on May 30th, 2008.
“Chronic illnesses are definitely a women's issue. Many illnesses such as
depression, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and multiple sclerosis affect women
more than men. And it goes without saying that since it is mostly women who occupy the
lowest rungs of the hierarchy, it is they who become sick trying to ‘do it all’ and it is women
who are not believed and discounted when they get sick,” says Diane Driedger, one of the
book’s editors.
Professors, students, professionals, psychologists, writers…women with chronic
illnesses come together to understand their place ina society which more and more values
work and productivity, and devalues sickness and fatigue.
Certain to ring a bell with those familiar with women facing these illnesses, the
anthology uses personal experiences and academic research to put women’s chronic illness
in a social perspective.
“Because of shame, ignorance or fear of repercussions personally and professionally,
women with these illnesses often do not disclose and struggle in silence instead. Unlike
some physical disabilities which are visible, the needs of women with chronic illnesses are
often discounted or overlooked completely,” says Bonnie Brayton, National Executive
Director of the DisAbled Women's Network of Canada, “ This book is important as it creates
an opportunity for open dialogue on an issue faced by thousands of women in
Canada. This is the first step towards understanding and finally properly accommodating
the needs of women with chronic illnesses in our society. DAWN-RAFH Canada is so
pleased to be sponsoring the launch of this book and to be honouring the authors and
contributors.”

DisAbled Women's Network Canada and CPSI/Women's Press
cordially invite you to the launch of:
Dissonant Disabilities: Women
with Chronic Illnesses Explore
Their Lives
Edited by Diane Driedger and
Michelle Owen

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In Winnipeg, May 6
McNally
Robinson
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In Toronto - May 30th
Ryerson University
Rm SHE-560, Sally Horsfall
Eaton Centre
99 Gerard St. E.
5 to 7pm
Refreshments will be served
|
In Halifax -
June 4th
with co-contributers Sandra Bell and Mary Delaney attending
Frog Hollow Books
Park Lane Mall
5657 Spring Garden Road - Halifax
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Refreshments to follow
Contact Sandra Wood - Community Inc - 902-679-7469
More Details
|
In Vancouver -
June 5th
2008 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences
2125 Main Mall, room 204
The University of British Columbia - Vancouver
2:45 p.m.
The book launch will take place following a presentation
by Diane Driedger at the 2008 Canadian Disability Studies Association
Contact Rick Walker - Canadian Scholars' Press
416-929-CSPI (2774) ext. 17
|
Photos of the Launch in Winnipeg at McNally Robinson on May 6th
Photos of the Launch in Halifax on June 4

Frog Hollow Staff
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Sandra Bell and Mary Delaney
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Sandra Bell
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DisAbled Women's Network Canada
Réseau d'action des femmes handicapées du Canada
110 Sainte-Thérèse Street, Suite 505 /110, rue Sainte-Thérèse, bureau 505
Montréal, QC H2Y 1E6/ Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1E6
Phone /Téléphone: 514 396-0009 (QC); Fax /Télécopieur: (514) 396-6585 (QC)
Toll free / Numéro sans frais (Canada): 1-866-396-0074
Phone the toll free number first to arrange a facsimile transmission (Canada) / Téléphonez d'abord au numéro sans frais pour organiser une transmission par télécopieur (Canada)
Email / Courriel: admin@dawncanada.net |