I’ve been quiet recently for a bunch of reasons, but I’m thrilled to tell you today that I have an article up online published by The Guardian, on why you shouldn’t just rebuke your child if they’re staring at a disabled person. Please do read!
This one’s special. It was on my ‘bucket list’, a top writing goal to have been published by my favourite newspaper, so I’m absolutely on top of the world today. If you wanted to read it and share it, that would be pretty cool, too.
It’s also special because it’s interweaving my thoughts on disability with the wise advice of my friend, the brilliant author of the YA Ink trilogy, Alice Broadway. Although she could have written the article herself, Alice thought it would be better for a disabled person to write the piece expanding on her advice, so I ‘pitched’ to The Guardian with her permission – and they said yes to me.
The Guardian have a paper in Britain and online news across the world (including US and Australia), and Guardian.com brings all that together. Today, my piece reached the Top Four (!) for Society across the whole international website, and it’s been shared more than 1K times so far.
The writing world can at times feel like cold competition, yet so often the best art arises from collaboration and friendship. This piece came from passion, hard word-crafting, and above all the generosity of a friend who wants minority voices to be heard. This was one of those serendipitous, God-timed moments, and it felt like pure gift.
So while I offer you a really helpful piece on parenting kids when you encounter disability, I am also asking you to celebrate with me – because sometimes dreams do come true and it’s all gift.
Do get some great advice about why you shouldn’t just say to a kid, ‘don’t stare’ when they’re curious about the differences of disability – click here to read.
Thank you and well done – great piece! I especially like the very practical advice for parents as to how to deal positively with the situation. As someone who uses a powered wheelchair with a ventilator attached I am very stareable at and know the scenario well.
This is very good. What applies as good advice for helping children understand applies equally for adults,who must first understand and emphathize themselves.
Excellent.. Diversity and Difference is to be celebrated not ignored !! Whether we have a physical or invisible Difference , why are we being made to feel we should be hidden and worst of all labelled “ Divisive “ well done Tanya excellent article… gives a new and educational interpretation of how to teach our children to think positively about Diversity & Difference
Bravo! It is an excellent article and one that is obviously reaching a lot of people (#4 most read – wow!!). So, so happy for you to have reached a publication goal.