Rolling Warrior by Judy Heumann
Judy Heumann is one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history. She tells her own personal story in Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. The book is a great read but because she knows what the world needs she also wrote a young adult version. That one is titled, Rolling Warrior which couldn't be more appropriate. The cover reads like this: Rolling Warrior The incredible sometimes awkward, true story of a rebel girl on wheels who helped spark a revolution.
If you read my movies section already you have heard me talk about Crip Camp-The Award-winning documentary that tells the story of the camp for the disabled in Upstate New York back in the 70s. Judy Heumann attended that camp with several other people who are disabled and became lifelong friends. I can’t say enough good things about that movie. It is one of the reasons I sit here typing on this page. The movie was life-changing for me and inspired me to be a dedicated advocate for those with disabilities
Anyhoo, I veered off. It happens with me. My intention is to tell you that Judy Heumann knows her audience well enough to write a young adult version of her adult book. I really appreciate the fact that she wrote Rolling Warrior for you because her story is relatable to many. Heumann was only five years old when she was first denied her right to attend school. To explain further, she was told she was a “fire hazard” because of her wheelchair. Did you know that she became paralyzed by polio? The poliovirus destroys nerve cells in the spinal cord causing muscle wasting and paralysis. Thank goodness we now have the polio vaccine. Sadly we didn’t have one back when Judy needed it most. Her story is one of resilience and bravery. In my opinion, the history of Disability Rights is something that needs to be part of the curriculum in schools. In the meantime, take a moment to read either one of her books.
here is the link -just head to the teen books about disability list https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedisabilityallynyc?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh
You can also get the adult version for a friend, caregiver, or parent -You will find it on the adult books about disability list
Better still, you can listen to her audio version on audible! https://amzn.to/3zIMTey
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