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

Patient Performs in Gown at Theatre Festival

Toronto writer and performer Julie Devaney will perform the critically acclaimed show My Leaky Body at the SummerWorks Theatre Festival in Toronto, AUGUST 7-17TH.

According to Heather Mallick in Chatelaine: “"In My Leaky Body, Devaney's writing talent turns emergency-room neglect into poetry… [She] is one of the few individuals brave enough to complain without blaming. Her courage is raw."

According to Julie, “We’re at a critical moment in healthcare in this country. We need to collaborate as patients and professionals to decide what we value and how we can make it happen in a way that supports all of us. And what better way to open up that conversation then with a funny and tragic performance of my leaky body?”

Diane Flacks of the Toronto Star writes, “My Leaky Body can help unite medical professionals and patients to make health-care the best it can be. Don’t miss it… Julie Devaney’s piece is a must-see. Brave, honest, touching, and truly hilarious.”

Julie Devaney spent 5 years in and out of hospitals with Ulcerative Colitis (a severe bowel disease). After 3 major operations she went on to earn her Master's Degree in Critical Disability Studies from York University in Toronto. She currently performs and provides workshops for healthcare professionals, medical students and patient support groups from coast to coast in Canada and internationally. This month, she received a “thumbs up” from Abilities magazine for her contributions to disability awareness across the country.

The SummerWorks production of My Leaky Body is proudly sponsored by the DisAbled Women’s Network, a national feminist organization comprised of women with disabilities. According to National Executive Director Bonnie Brayton, “Julie Devaney is an amazing new creative voice for the issues of women with disabilities. She puts on stage what so many women with chronic illness in Canada face: the difficulty of being heard by medical professionals, the challenge of negotiating work and school with a disability, and the joy of actually seeing the humour and wisdom through it all.”

For more information go to www.myleakybody.com.
Contact Julie Devaney at: julie@myleakybody.com or 416 948 6468

For more information about SummerWorks see www.summerworks.ca
MEDIA INQUIRIES: contact Avery Swartz at publicity@summerworks.ca or 416 557 3547

For the DisAbled Women’s Network Canada, contact Sujata Dey, Assistant, Special Projects, at sujatadeyqs@gmail.com or (514)-225-3836 (office) or 1-866-688-3296 (toll-free number).

DisAbled Women's Network Canada
Réseau d'action des femmes handicapées du Canada
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