Description
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob Williams-Findlay has been a leading disability activist in Britain for thirty years appearing on TV and being a keynote speaker at numerous conferences. He has written numerous articles on Disability Politics and Social Oppression.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE BOOK
More than a Left Foot is not just the autobiography of a bloke called Bob who was born with cerebral palsy and became a fully engaged passionate advocate for respecting equality, quality and access. To be sure it looks at his early home life, experience of segregated education, his finding himself at university and his subsequent emergence as an articulate champion of disabled people and battler for a better world for all. But each chapter also narrates the interaction of disabled people in the psychological, sociological, spiritual, philosophical and above all political spheres of life since the second-world war, Bob’s life story is interwoven with the evolution of his profound thinking on how society relates to disabled people in its population. He applies a restless intellect to these issues. No suspect stone is left unturned. Indeed he frequently tortures himself about the accuracy of his own judgements. But these matters are never abstractly academic or mere commentary. They arise from, and in turn develop, Bob’s own astute activism. The result is a book which, with considerable warmth and humour, will stimulate and challenge you to rethink many of your most ‘common sense’ beliefs.
Paul Mackney, former General Secretary of the University and College Union
More than a Left Foot is not a sentimental triumph over tragedy story about a disabled person. It is a life story which weaves together the personal story of living with an impairment with the social and political background of disabled people’s struggle for emancipation alongside the twists and turns of dealing with a disabling world. As a longstanding disabled scholar activist, Bob has drawn on years on knowledge and experience to produce an insightful look at a piece of unrecorded social history. Highly recommended
Colin Barnes, Emeritus Professor Disability Studies, University of Leeds
Thought-provoking and full of deep personal and political insights. A fantastic book about a unique strong-willed man. Highly recommended.
Francesca Martinez, comedian, writer, actress – describes herself as ‘wobbly’
CONTENTS
Preface by Marian Brooks-Sardinha
Introduction: I am that I am
Background story: Coming to terms with disability
Part One – A Life Apart
In the beginning; First steps; My teenage years; Love, Death and Crazy Talk.
Part Two – Mainstreaming My Life
The Art of Living; When two worlds collide; A sense of self; Glory Days; On the barricades; New beginnings; Going down the Brummie road.
Part Three – More Than A Left Foot
I’m gonna try and change the world; From both sides now; Dreams, schemes and other things; Make Your Mind Up; The wilderness years; Into the light….