Roughly one in five people live with a disability, so why is it so hard to find their stories in Australian fiction?

For Liel Bridgford, a writer, disability advocate and ABC Top 5 Arts resident, it took more than 30 years to come across an authentic representation of disability that she found relatable.

That book was Sensitive by Allayne L. Webster, a young adult novel exploring the experiences of a 13-year-old girl facing a world that wants to "fix" her.

"Reading this novel was one of the first steps towards feeling at ease in my body," Liel writes.

"Growing up, the only disabled characters I'd encountered in my reading were evil, alienated or monstrous (think: Captain Hook in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan)."

Read Liel's account of discovering disability in literature, and learn from her personal story of the stigma faced by disabled parents.

Then, ready yourself for the return to work with a story from This Working Life, which asks: what is a hyper-personalised workplace and how can it improve our nine-to-five?

Plus, dive into the history of the seven-day week — and why the ancient Romans might be to blame for your Monday-itis
 
 

Until next time,

Anna Levy, RN deputy digital editor
 

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"For disabled readers, it is often about being seen, heard, and validated, as well as feeling safe to enjoy a story," writes Liel Bridgford. "Every time I read an Own Voices disabled character, I learn more about myself and our world."

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