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3 Reasons You Need 'The Abilities In Me' Series On Your Shelf, According To A Person With A Disability

This children's series about individuals with disabilities is a must have for every bookshelf

Grace Myers

Sep 28, 2020

National Writers Society

3 Reasons You Need 'The Abilities In Me' Series On Your Shelf, According To A Person With A Disability

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

Individuals with disabilities are one of the biggest minorities in the world. However, there is a lack of accurate representation of those individuals in the media. "The Abilities in Me," a children's book series whose protagonists are children with disabilities, is trying to change that. According to their website,

"The abilities in me is a non-profit children's book series founded by the Author, Gemma Keir in late 2018. Alongside Adam Walker-Parker Illustration, their goal was to create children's books to explain the abilities within a disability. After publishing 6 books in their first year. They continue to create awareness, which brings inclusion to children around the world."

Without further delay, here are three reasons you need these books on your shelf, according to a person with a disability.

1. The books cover a wide variety of disabilities.

This book series covers all different types of disabilities, both developmental and physical. The currently covered disabilities include, 22Q Deletion, Congenital Heart Defect, Type 1 Diabetes, Autism, Hydrocephalus, Tube Feeding, Tracheostomy Epilepsy and Save Christmas special (covers multiple disabilities).

Due to the wide variety, these books are a great way to teach people about disabilities. Additionally, more disabilities are being added to this list in the future, and the website gives people the opportunity to request a specific disability.

2. The books help reduce the stigma around disabilities.

The more people that are educated about disabilities, the more disabilities become normalized in today's society. Today's children are tomorrow's adults. If they are taught about disabilities early in life, hopefully, there will be a more inclusive future for those in the disability community.

3. Children with disabilities have the opportunity to see themselves represented in literature.

When I was growing up, I rarely saw myself represented in the books the I read. I would get super excited whenever I saw a character with a disability in something I was reading. Seeing a character with the same disability is very encouraging to a young child.

Additionally, seeing their disability represented at a young age can help children develop an early sense of disability pride and better understand their disability.

By having these books on your bookshelf, you support a non-profit book series that is working to educate the public about various disabilities to help reduce the stigma around them. Additionally, these books are helping to foster a sense of disability pride in the next generation of the disability community.

To support "The Abilities in Me" or read the books for yourself visit www.theabilitiesinme.com.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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3 Reasons You Need 'The Abilities In Me' Series On Your Shelf, According To A Person With A Disability

This children's series about individuals with disabilities is a must have for every bookshelf

1. The books cover a wide variety of disabilities.

2. The books help reduce the stigma around disabilities.

3. Children with disabilities have the opportunity to see themselves represented in literature.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

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