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

Photos of the Launch in Winnipeg at McNally Robinson on May 6th

Michelle Owen and Diane Driedger signing the book	Book Display at the Winnipeg Launch	Audience at the Winnipeg Launch
Photos of the Launch in Toronto on May 30
Michelle Owen , Bonnie Brayton and Diane Driedger	Diane Driedger	Michelle Owen
Julie Devaney - Performing 'My Leaky Body'	Julie Devaney	Julie Devaney
Audience	Michelle Owen and Diane Driedger signing copies of their book	Barbara A. Brown

Photos of the Launch in Halifax on June 4

Frog Hollow Staff

Sandra Bell and Mary Delaney

Sandra Bell

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