My name is Lauren Smith-Donohoe, I’m a disabled mother of 2 with one on the way. I’m writing a book about caring for a young child with Down syndrome, focusing on ages 0-3. I’m looking for a handful of parents to contribute their analysis, tips, anecdotes, and parenting wisdom to this project.
The lens the book is looking through is the social model of disability– that it is barriers to access and inclusion that are truly disabling, and that disability is a natural part of the human condition and diversity. Additionally, I am a long time activist with a background in explicitly anti-racist, feminist, anti-authoritarian, and non-hierarchical organizing: these principles are a guiding force of the project.
I am looking for parents of children and adults with Down syndrome who have a strong foundation in disability rights, as well as anti-racist analysis and praxis, to consider participating. Following in the disability rights tradition of “nothing about us without us,” volunteers who are Black, POC, LGBTQIA, disabled, immigrant, and otherwise intersectional, are a crucial part of making this all that it could be. I will also be interviewing teens and adults with Down syndrome to include their perspective on key issues, for example, what Down syndrome is and isn’t, and perspectives on therapy and intervention.
Rather than solicit a large number of anonymous anecdotes from parents, I would prefer to have a handful of parents with different experiences and ideas to contribute on multiple topics throughout the book. This is to ensure better representation and a spectrum of experiences. I can’t pay for contributions; the reality is that I probably won’t make much money off the book (unless it becomes a bestseller [;D] in which case I will revisit this with all contributors on principle and negotiate a fair amount). Despite lack of funding, I think it is still worth participating. I do believe in fair compensation for work, but I do not have the means on my own, and working with a small, indie publisher, I will not be getting an advance. This is a labor of love for me and would be for you too. All contributions will be minimally edited (only for clarity, space, technical issues) and all edits would be approved by contributors directly. Each will have a bio, and get full credit for their words.
The publisher I’m working with is Autonomous Press, a local publisher founded by disabled people who publish fiction and nonfiction about disability issues by disabled authors. I am already working on the book with a mentor-editor.
There are probably 10-12 chapters that I’d be looking for thoughts on, and a contribution could range from a short paragraph of a few sentences to a short essay, depending on how personally moving or provoking the subject matter. Not all subject matter is overtly political. Some will, of course, be practical, such as feeding, sleeping, finding the right access equipment, and so on.
Do you think you’d be interested? Please send an email to lesmith.donohoe@gmail.com with the following info:
-Your first and last name
-The age of your child with Down syndrome (if your child is still under 3, I would still encourage you to participate if you are interested!)
-Whatever demographic information about yourself that you think is relevant (here are some suggestions: race, ethnicity, religious background, class background, relationship with the gender spectrum, if you are LGBTQIA, have a disability, are an immigrant, are a single parent, and so on)
-A short description of your perspective on Down syndrome, disability, and social justice.
-Anything else that you think makes your perspective unique (not required!)
-And any questions you have for me! (And any concerns you have about this book- I am listening)
Please feel free to share this with other parents of people with Down syndrome that you think would be interested in participating. Thank you!
lauren smith-donohoe 