Review

Maternal mediators

DISABILITY, THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY
Janet Read
Open University Press

The first thing to understand about this book is that it is really about non-disabled women who happen to be mothers of disabled teenagers: a book about disability, but from the viewpoint of non-disabled people. I emphasise this point because the experience of disability – in the social model sense – is a defining one. Disabled teenagers feel the full impact of the barriers society places in their way – while their mothers observe, and feel ‘by association’, and are affected by the impact of disability, but in the end can choose to circumvent these barriers in ways not open to their teenagers.

The book explores ‘mothers’ perspectives about the ways they find themselves acting as mediators between their children and a world that can be hostile…’, and describes the ‘ambassadorial’ and mediating role that many mothers take on, between their children and the immediate family, teachers, social workers, professionals in ‘gatekeeper’ positions – almost the whole world. It also highlights the way that dealing with the ‘disability activities’ and the higher level of ‘care’ needed by many disabled teenagers usually falls to the mother, with inevitable impact on her physical and mental health. Motherhood and care is theorised, and linked to the issues of disadvantage and discrimination which disabled people encounter daily. The disabled peoples’ movement, which has led to the social model of disability, is explained as context.

But as a disabled mother of non-disabled, very grown up teenagers, and remembering my own teenage years, I am not convinced that this book contributes much understanding to the experiences of disabled people themselves in a family situation. And more’s the pity.