Autobiographical Elements in Unfamiliar into the Familiar by Reshma Qureshi
Keywords:
Disability, Disability Pride, Infantalisation, New Normal, Normalization, Stigma Management Techniques, Victim BlamingAbstract
Victim blaming was, and still is, commonplace in countries like India where disabilities are viewed as God's punishment for one's previous transgressions. Only if the impaired individual and society work together to establish the "new normal" does Susan Lonsdale believe that the second meaning of being disabled comes to light. It's horrifying to become crippled as a result of an acid attack because it marrs a person's character as well as their appearance. Reshma Qureshi's life storey depicts this. Because of this, she has a purpose in her life thanks to various stigma management tactics that she employs. Her efforts are aided by a group of "normal" people, who help her succeed. If the society of the normal supports and accommodates the needs of the disabled, they may rise to prominence. Reshma's autobiography serves as a wake-up call to society, imploring it to go above and beyond its current set of legal and unwritten rules.
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