‘Invincible’ – stories of hope and courage

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario: Author Shalini F. Wickremesooriya PHD believes that many of us encounter individuals with disabilities in our lives but somehow we push them back into a dark corner of discomfort, unable to give them light or voice.They are either family members or part of the social fabric of communities. They are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden. However, their voices, although silent or ignored, are real. 

In her new book ‘Invincible’ (published by Bay Owl The Perera-Hussein Publishing house ), she gives people with disability a chance to be heard, inspiring readers to learn and understand more about them. The book contains stories as told by individuals with disabilities. Each story looks at an individual with a unique disability and takes readers through the journey the individual has been through while highlighting thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and everyday life with all its challenges. Set in different countries, this book reflects different lifestyles, economic statuses, cultures and religions. The narratives are funny, sad and matter-of-factly.

For instance, “As I walk in the gorge and spot a butterfly, I sense the butterfly’s feelings, its thoughts and its expectations, as it flies to a flower and gently hovers before daintily placing its feet on the delicate petals.  As the butterfly gently rubs its nose savoring the beautiful aroma and enjoying the tickles, I know it is asking for permission to drink deeply. I am fascinated and drawn to the reverence, gentleness and love that surround these acts; rare characteristics in humans.”

Invincible’s greatest strength is its authenticity of voice. It does not amplify or caricature. It does not try to be didactic. It simply urges, “A change in attitude towards individuals with disabilities can make communities richer, stronger, tolerant, loving and kind,” the author says. “It can also free communities from strife, division, hatred and pride. In a nutshell, by changing one’s attitude towards disability, one can become a healthy and beautiful person from within.”

A light read in some ways, it is heavy in the onus it leaves the readers;many no doubt who will read this and find so much that resonates as familiar, and yet revealing.

The book subtly achieves the ability to make us look at our world differently, to face pain and discomfort and explore the far reaches of others incapacity and find ways to understand or cope better. Some books help signpost us when we are lost or looking at the margins of a map we cannot decipher. Disability is for the most part disregarded, or at best pushed to the margins. Invincible might very well be such a book and help many of us challenge the notion of disability and what or where our margins are set.

Following are excerpts of an interview with ‘Invincible’Author Shalini F. Wickremesooriya:

Q: Could you introduce yourself and tell us the title of your book? 

A: I was born in Sri Lanka. My dad’s grandparents were Christians from Europe; England, Portugal, Netherlands and Germany. My mother is a Sinhalese, Roman Catholic from the western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. I grew up in a household where reading was a way of life and succeeding in academics was compulsory. I am married and the mother of two grown up children. I earned a Master’s degree from the University of Birmingham, UK and a Doctoral degree from the University of Sheffield, UK. I am an independent practitioner certified by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, UK and licensed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. I am a stuttering specialist who works closely with the Stuttering Foundation, USA and a provider of the Listening Program, a research based program developed by Applied Behavior Technologies, USA. I work as a clinician, engage in research, speak at international conferences, contribute to research journals and review journal articles. My own unique childhood and adolescence as a ‘sickly’ child, subsequent education and close relationship with my father-in-law who was visually impaired, has encouraged me to be an advocate for individuals with disabilities. I have made it my goal to promote the philosophy of inclusive communities by giving voice to the voiceless.

Q: Could you describe in a few sentences what your book is about?

A: The book is a collection of real life stories as related to me by individuals with disabilities. Each story focuses on an individual with a unique disability and takes the reader through his/her life journey. Stories highlight their thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams as they live each day in a world that persist on seeing them as ‘different’.  They reject the label ‘differently abled’ by asking the question ‘isn’t every human being differently abled?’

Q: What inspired you to become a writer?

A: As a teenager I loved writing poetry and keeping journals. My creations were published in national newspapers and won me awards. As an adult, I am drawn to academic and scientific writing and writing articles for magazines. So, writing is a substantial part of my life. 

Q: What inspired you to write your book?

A: As I worked with individuals with disabilities in different settings, I became aware that society’s preconceived ideas of disability effectively halt individuals with disabilities from reaching their potential. I also realised the frustrations individuals with disabilities face due to these notions and the valiant effort they need to exert to change these views, often with little or no success. Hence, my motive was to change the negative perspectives by emphasising that they are people first; with feelings, hopes and dreams while the disability is just one aspect of who they are. 

Q: What has the response been to the book so far?

A: Readers are left longing for more information about the individuals. They are curious to know more about their lives. They are also happy to be reminded of the existence of the ‘real person’; something that is easily forgotten when you are the parent, caregiver, sibling, therapist or teacher.

Q: Who is your target audience?

A: I believe that the book is a must read for anyone who is able to read because disability is all around us. Every family, either directly or indirectly, is touched today by the presence of a person with a disability. Hence, beginning with high school students it ought to be circulated amongst the general public.

Q: What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

A: My hope is that readers will resolve to look beyond the disability the next time they encounter a person with a disability. I also hope that they will share the book with more people.

Q: If you could teach the general public one thing about individuals living with disabilities, what would it be? 

A: Individuals with disabilities are people first; the disability is just one aspect of the ‘whole’ person. Give power to the individual and not the disability.