Women with Disabilities: Found Voices.

Willmuth ME, Holcomb L, eds. Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, 1993, paperback, 209 pp, $17.95.

In her introduction to this volume, Michelle Fine, a well-known feminist and writer about disability and discrimination, identifies the themes and power of this volume by stating, "A talented set of writers, who bring all kinds of differences in disabilities, races, ethnicities, sexualities and politics to this material, collectively force readers to grapple with our own (those of us non-disabled especially), preconceptions, misgivings, difficulties, anxieties, middle age fears, bodily indulgences." These voices cry out with rebellion against the medicalization of handicaps, against male-dominated politics, and against cultures that ritually inflict genital mutilation. The valor of those who have found a voice in these pages will inspire, enrage, enlighten, and stimulate the reader.

This book is a collection of 19 essays written by women who are large in power, deep in emotion, and wide in reaching out to society for attention. Their purpose is to right the wrongs of bias, tradition, and abuse. "Survival" by Lilly Friedman, is about a 63-year-old woman who survives a serious automobile accident and becomes quadriplegic.

"Double Bind Messages: The Effects of Attitude Towards Disability on Therapy," by Geri Esten and Lynn Willmott, identifies some of the conflicting ways our society communicates about people who have a disability. The authors emphasize the futility of meaningless encouragement by a therapist to a client or patient, as if the individual with the disability really believes that everything will be all right. The condescending attitude diminishes the client and suggests that the therapist has no real understanding of the client's circumstances.

"Sexually Abused Women With Mental Retardation: Hidden Victims, Absent Resources," by Marilyn Stromsness, reports on data collected from 14 women in a community-based population. The essayist argues that societal barriers exist that prevent women with mental retardation who are survivors of sexual abuse access to the therapeutic interventions available to nonretarded women.

"Another Strand of Our Diversity: Some Thoughts From a Feminist Therapist With Severe Chronic Illness," by Jessica Barshy, describes her experience with chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity/environmental illness. These have been represented as "women's illnesses," so in the author's experience, she was not understood and was generally ignored. Disability in Female Immigrants With Ritually Inflicted Genital Mutilation," by Hanny Lightfoot-Klein, introduces the reader to cultural practices of the Sudan. When these immigrant women arrive in the United States requiring medical attention, they do not leave their culture behind. Initiation of the western woman to the rites of purification of the Sudanese is shocking. Dealing with resulting disability within traditional health care in the United States is fraught with problems.

Women With Disabilities is an unusual book. It provokes, angers, and embarrasses. Would it be useful in a physical therapy curriculum? Or for practicing physical therapists? If we can enjoy the medium of discussion, open our eyes to the realities around us, deepen our awareness to the pain of those near us, then yes, it, or any part of it, would be useful in a course in physical therapy education, and for practitioners. We try to attain the internal frame of reference of the person who receives our care. Here is a book that can serve as a window in that frame.

Elsa L Ramsden, EdD, PT Univ of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pa

Dr Ramsden is an associate professor who teaches in the physical therapy program. Her primary research interests are in psychosocial aspects of illness and disability, interpersonal communication processes in health care, and professional ethics in health care.