Women and Disabilities

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the autobiography of Anne Finger "Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy and Birth" which articulates an excellent example of a writer who is a disabled activist. The paper explains that the disabled woman offers forceful insight within the disability system in terms of a situated theory. The paper looks at how Ms. Finger shows extreme sarcasm in her words when explaining how she acquired polio. The paper also explores Ms. Finger's various attitudes towards abortion. In conclusion, the paper shows that Ms. Finger poses reproductive rights entangled by a myriad of social construct and these social constructs are categorized through personal experiences, feminism, selective abortion rights and aggressive politics. The paper also notes, however, that there is an uncertainty of obligation that is questioned by Ms. Finger throughout her memoir that lacks stability.

From the Paper:

"There are several examples of opinions, which make Ms. Finger furious and/or hostile in regards to abortion, parental choice, disability, and of course politics. For example, Ms. Finger takes a reactive stand against anti-abortion. Yet, within her text, confusion seems to be set in place in terms of "the right to privacy" and "parental choice" (Finger, 25). If a woman chooses to abort a child for whatever reason, it would be considered a parental choice. In a similar sense, if a disabled woman chooses to abort a child for whatever reason knowing that the child would be disabled; isn't this considered a parental choice as well. Why would the disabled woman choice be different from the nondisabled woman?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Finger, Anne. Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy and Birth. Seattle: Seal Press, 1990.

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