{"id":1081,"date":"2014-08-30T12:29:21","date_gmt":"2014-08-30T11:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nickwood.frogwrite.co.nz\/?p=1081"},"modified":"2014-08-30T12:29:21","modified_gmt":"2014-08-30T11:29:21","slug":"not-sf-in-sa-22-its-all-about-pianos-writing-through-paindisability-sep-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nickwood.frogwrite.co.nz\/?p=1081","title":{"rendered":"(Not) SF in SA 22: ‘It’s All About Pianos’: Writing through Pain\/Disability (Sep 2014)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018<\/strong>It<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s All About Pianos<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>: Stories & ACT Through Chronic Illness & Hidden Disability<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1982, South African state TV was just 6 years old. So I was able to watch (as a youth) some \u2018Top of the Pops\u2019 clips that got sent our way, which had managed to avoid the Equity<\/em> ban on (mostly British) TV shows being screened in apartheid South Africa. One \u2018Top of the Pops\u2019 clip in particular stood out for me, so that it is etched in my mind even today. It was a joint rendition of \u2018Ebony and Ivory<\/em>\u2019 by Stevie Wonder<\/strong> and Paul McCartney<\/strong>, conducting a duet atop a giant piano with black and white keys. (At the time, the black presence on SATV was minimal, being pre \u2018Shaka Zulu<\/em>\u2019 days with Henry Cele<\/strong>, by several years.)<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t Stevie Wonder<\/strong> that had caught my attention. The awkward looking white South African presenter would add his \u2018hip\u2019 comments into the mix at the end, showing us all what a \u2018progressive\u2019 society we really were. \u201cIsn\u2019t that wonderful?\u201d he said after the Wonder\/McCartney <\/strong>song ended, \u201cThat they can write a song all about the piano!\u201d<\/p>\n

WTF? Did I just hear that? Did you really just say what you said? I stared hard at the presenter, who smiled back with silent but deadly earnestness – and not the slightest trace of either irony or humour. (The song was eventually banned for a while in SA in \u2013 yes, you guessed it \u2013 1984!)<\/p>\n

Time passed \u2013 even apartheid too, eventually.<\/p>\n

But, through it all, subtext has remained key! Narratives in all media contain implicit underlying meanings, whether from dominant or marginalised ideas and discourses. Disability is still very much a marginalised space, a place for some to avoid – or even joke about – although this, at least, is thankfully changing. One worthy project which aims to put \u2018disability\u2019 and its future centre space is the \u2018Accessing the Future<\/em>\u2019<\/em> initiative being driven by The Future Fire<\/strong> and Kathryn Allan<\/strong>: https:\/\/www.indiegogo.com\/projects\/accessing-the-future<\/a><\/p>\n

To publicise the funding initiative for a Speculative Fiction anthology which has \u2018Disability\u2019 at the heart of its theme, there is a linked Blog Hop: http:\/\/djibrilalayad.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/blog-hop-accessing-future-fiction.html<\/a> Look out, too, for Guest Posts on The Future Fire, which have included Tade Thompson<\/strong>: http:\/\/djibrilalayad.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/guest-post-quis-custodiet-ipsos-custodes.html<\/a><\/p>\n

But remember the latent subtext involved in representation \u2013 which is why they are interested in an \u2018intersectional\u2019 approach – which looks critically at the notion of disability as a social construct and not as a fixed (essentialist) medical entity (Shawl<\/strong>, 2013). And, if you\u2019re looking to write for the anthology, bear in mind their helpful questions and guidance – plus beware of dominant discourse stereotyping!<\/p>\n

As for me, I had a \u2018biographical disruption\u2019 in my own self-narrative (Bury<\/strong>, 2001), i.e. chronic and ongoing encounters with two incurable illnesses (Meniere’s Disease and CP\/CPPS – neither terminal), that eventually necessitated an incorporation of \u2018disability\u2019 into my own self-identification.<\/p>\n

At first I thought this would mean the end of my writing, given it is on top of a day job. But my passion to write remains kindled, although I have learned to slow down and regulate my activity, to conserve my energies – and so I write less, through pain, but with a little more care\u2026Still, I write.<\/p>\n

For anyone interested, there is a fascinating book by Arthur Frank<\/strong> (1995) called \u2018The Wounded Storyteller<\/em>\u2019<\/em> , which addresses how people try and create narrative meaning from the chaos of illness. Another source of help has been the ACT model, (i.e. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy<\/em>), which has been seen as part of the \u2018third wave of behavioural psychotherapies\u2019: http:\/\/contextualscience.org\/podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Mindfulness\u2019 and Acceptance (rather than denial or avoidance of) illness and pain has been heralded as important factors in learning to cope with many conditions (Kabat-Zinn<\/strong>, 1990; Khoury<\/strong> et. al., 2013) I have struggled a little with this notion \u2013 how can you completely \u2018accept\u2019 something which is inherently unpleasant? The recent book by Ray Owens<\/strong> (2014) was a great help \u2013 entitled \u2018Living with the Enemy<\/em>,\u2019 it adopts a pragmatic approach that acceptance also acknowledges a tension in the relationship, given it is hard to completely \u2018befriend\u2019 illness and pain. But also of importance for me is that the book moves away from a dominant discourse around \u2018battles\u2019 and \u2018conquering\u2019 illness with \u2018bravery\u2019. (Presumably then, those who \u2018fail\u2019 to force their illness away and regain health are not \u2018brave\u2019 enough?) These contain (Western) individualistic notions that put the person as the main instrument of their life, actively shaping and changing their fate by \u2018defeating\u2019 the Dragon of Illness.<\/p>\n

I am not brave. Illness has largely \u2018defeated\u2019 me, as some might say, but I continue to write, both as part of acceptance and resistance. And I have realised my strength actually lies in the relationships that envelop me \u2013 it is my family that sustains and enriches me. I am lucky indeed! And, given my illness and pain is largely invisible to others, I have learned to let them know, as and when appropriate \u2013 and thus work modifications have kept me working too. It’s a cool modification too – a standing desk, given sitting exacerbates my pelvic pain. (The novelist Tim Parks<\/strong> managed to beautifully steer his way out of a similar illness, seemingly through meditation – see his book ‘Teach Us To Sit Still’ below.)<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s the other part of the ACT Model – the essential partner to Acceptance \u2013 Commitment. Commitment means engaging with life, despite illness and pain, sometimes even because of it. It involves becoming aware of the values that make your life worth living \u2013 and pursuing them. Writing is part of who I am and what I have learned to recommit to \u2013 and there are many other, better writers out there who continue to write, despite significant impediments and \u2018disability\u2019\u2013 I have listed just a few below. (Jay Lake<\/strong>, recently deceased, was obviously a case in point, writing so brilliantly, through so much\u2026)<\/p>\n

So please support the drive to materialise an anthology of \u2018Accessing the Future<\/em>\u2019 (for us all.)<\/p>\n

And if you do come across any of my other (fictional) writing, please remember – It\u2019s All About Pianos!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

To support \u2018ACCESSING THE FUTURE<\/em>\u2019<\/em> go here: https:\/\/www.indiegogo.com\/projects\/accessing-the-future<\/a><\/p>\n

A ‘disability’ story I loved: Carole McDonnell’s<\/strong> ‘Lingua Franca<\/em>‘ in Hopkinson<\/strong> and Mehan<\/strong> (2004) So Long Been Dreaming: PostColonial Science Fiction and Fantasy. <\/em>Arsenal Pulp Press.<\/p>\n

About being authentic with representations of Mental Health in SF<\/em> (Tade Thompson<\/strong>) go here:\u00a0http:\/\/tadethompson.wordpress.com\/2014\/08\/20\/mental-illness-primer-for-speculative-fiction-creators-contents-page\/<\/a><\/p>\n

To read about some SF\/F writers experiences with disability and illness:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tiah Beautement<\/strong> – http:\/\/tiahbeautement.bookslive.co.za\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/on-better\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Eugie Foster<\/strong>\u2013 Cancer http:\/\/www.eugiefoster.com\/at\/coping-with-cancer<\/a> – And Please Buy her wonderful short fiction!!<\/p>\n

Nicola Griffith<\/strong> – http:\/\/asknicola.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/my-health.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Nalo Hopkinson<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.lightspeedmagazine.com\/nonfiction\/interview-nalo-hopkinson\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Kameron Hurley<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.kameronhurley.com\/when-power-fades\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Jay Lake <\/strong>Last Plane to Heaven: The Final Collection\u00a0<\/em>http:\/\/www.jlake.com\/2014\/08\/27\/last-plane-to-heaven-the-final-collection\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Shweta Narayan<\/strong> – http:\/\/shweta-narayan.livejournal.com\/198520.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Nisi Shawl<\/strong>: http:\/\/blog.seattleacupuncture.com\/i-am-strong-im-invisible-by-nisi-shawl<\/a><\/p>\n

So \u2013 Go. Read \u2013 and Support!<\/p>\n

References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., & Therien, P., Bouchard, V., Chapleau M., Paquin K. & Hofmann, S. (2013) Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review<\/em> 33<\/strong>, 763\u2013771.<\/p>\n

Bury, M. (2001) Illness narratives: Fact or fiction? Sociology of Health & Illness<\/em>, 23<\/strong>(3), 263-285<\/p>\n

Frank, A. (1995) The Wounded Storyteller<\/em>. University of Chicago Press.<\/p>\n

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990) Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness<\/em>. Bantam Dell.<\/p>\n

Kleinman, A. (1988)The Illness Narratives<\/em>. Basic Books, New York.<\/p>\n

Owen, R. (2014) Living with the Enemy: Coping with the stress of chronic illness using CBT, mindfulness and acceptance. <\/em>Routledge.<\/p>\n

Parks, T. (2011) Teach Us to Sit Still: A Sceptic’s Search for Health and Healing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shawl, N. (<\/em>2013) Invisible Inks: On Black SF Authors and Disability,” in WisCon Chronicles 7, “Shattering Ableist Narratives”. <\/em>Ed. JoSelle Vanderhooft, from <\/em>Aqueduct Press.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nick Wood (September\/October 2014)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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