The Rejected Body: Feminist Philosophical Reflections on Disability

Susan Wendel examines how disability is inherently a sociopolitical construction. Replacing previous medical models, Wendel persuasively argues that women with disabilities are a multiply oppressed class, echoing the works of Gloria Anzaldua...etc. Because prioritizing among disability, sex and other idenities is impossible, Wendel instead advances an analysis which intergrates all components into a social justice tool. Some women with disabilities also desire to become mothers, but the state maintains (albeit in more 'covert' language than eugenics statues) restrictions against the sexuality of women with disabilities. The idea that women with disabilities are also sexual beings remains a shocking concept. For all of society's theoretical tolerance, it still panics whenever people do not have 'perfect bodies' especially because of disability. Since women still are judged by their bodies, this schema ultimately amplifies our subordination...and inadvertently provides resistance incentive.

Wendell's book is an important contribution to the emerging field of disability studies because it includes women's perspectives on disability. This may not seem to be a significant contribution, but it should be understood that since disability has largely been constructed within a medical framework, the experiences of women with disabilities have been ignored, discounted, and obliterated. What's even better is that Wendell teaches us how to think about disability and feminism without having the bends over postmodernism or the French feminists.In other words, the book is readable. I highly recommend it.