Title: Persistence: Living an Authentic Life with a Disability
Author: Linda Dezenski
Publisher: Linda Dezenski
ISBN: 979-8892285629
Pages: 255
Genre: Memoir
Reviewer: Gabriella Harrison
Hollywood Book Reviews
Author Linda Dezenski’s memoir, Persistence: Living an Authentic Life with a Disability, is deeply stirring, sharing how she was born with cerebral palsy at eight months’ gestation and grew up at home unlike many disabled children born in the 1950s and ‘60s who were institutionalized. Consequently, she had to contend with her mother’s constant guilt and shame, recounting a particularly hurtful incident when she excitedly pointed out a woman in a wheelchair who seemed to be doing all right with a family of her own, and this caused her mother to freak out and make them leave the restaurant. This incident, along with many others, taught Dezenski to become “unobtrusive” and stop verbalizing wants, shrinking into herself.
Dezenski describes straddling two worlds. That is, the disabled community and the ‘normal’ world, without fitting fully into either. “I think the real reason I don’t fully fit in among my disabled peers is that this view I have of my disability is still relatively unique. I also don’t yet have a need for the disability service sector. I was raised feeling like a ‘normal’ child.” And how being made to feel less than human by doctors who assessed her posture while she was only allowed to wear underpants without even a bra during pre-op evaluation when she was fourteen was one of the most traumatic moments of her life. Her use of metaphors can be rather striking and evocative, such as with the girl encased in a plastic box metaphor that captures how she feels like she can see and hear everything but not be seen or heard. This presents a glaring picture of how isolating having a disability can be.
She writes in an accessible way without being simplistic, even providing a glossary at the beginning of the book, which provides an introductory insight into how she sees things. She admits flaws such as a quickness to anger and a pattern of choosing “wounded birds” (people who are so absorbed in their own problems that they practice “benign neglect” in relationships, leaving her as a sounding board who gives without receiving) with an unflinching honesty that’s simply refreshing, noting, “I don’t forgive. I move on.” No pretensions.
What I like most about this book, apart from the conversational directness, is the inclusion of practical advice and suggestions at the end of the book, such as on how to make meetings accessible and tips for parents of children with disabilities, and basically just general “where to start” guidance that feels like you’re not alone. Indeed, Dezenski unpacks a lot within this book.
Having been knocked down several times and refusing to stay down, Linda Dezenski shows that persistence is a way of life, not just a strategy, driving home the title of this affecting and unvarnished memoir, “Persistence: Living an Authentic Life with a Disability.” Linda Dezenski opens a window into her life, showing how determination, honesty, and courage can transform adversity into opportunity. Her story encourages readers to embrace their own path, live authentically, and discover the strength within to thrive.