I’m featured in the Not Here To Make You Comfortable book!
I’m excited to be featured in Penguin’s Not Here to Make You Comfortable – 50 women who stand up, speak out, inspire change.
I’m featured alongside superstars Michelle Obama; Taylor Swift; Greta Thunberg; Ash Barrty, Hannah Gadsby and Malala (and more); and also among powerhouse friends and colleagues – Turia Pitt, Grace Tame, Clementine Ford, Chanel Miller; Nas Campanella; Chloe Hayden, Khadija Gbla, Maria Thatill, Antoinette Latouff and AJ Clementine. I love that there are so many women of colour and disabled women included.
It took me a while to stop being a people pleaser, to be ok with being assertive and calling ableism and discrimination out. Now I know it’s part of my job to make people feel uncomfortable – always with kindness.
In the spirit of uncomfortableness – the profile of me says I suffer from ichthyosis. I have been very public in saying I don’t suffer from Ichthyosis – I have Ichthyosis, live with it, I thrive with it. Many disabled people also think this way (and some would say they suffer from their disability – and that’s ok, too). I don’t want to be pitied or have false assumptions made of me. I do suffer from people’s ableism, though. I fed this back to Penguin, asking for an edit if the book goes to reprint or becomes an ebook. They were receptive.
Thank you Penguin – especially the writers and illustrators who captured us so wondrously.
This book would make a great gift for a young person in your life, or to go in your office or school library.
Not Here to Make You Comfortable is available in Australian bookstores and libraries now.
Penguin sent me this book, but I’ll be buying some, too!
Images: 1. A collage of two photos, side by side. On the left is a book called Not Here to Make You Comfortable – it’s got a red cover with yellow text, and features black and white illustrations of prominent women. On the right is a black and white illustration of me, smiling, wearing a flower in my hair and a floral dress. 2. A close up of the profile and illustration of me in the book. Text reads: “There was that time
CARLY FINDLAY
challenged people to be more inclusive.
And she placed herself visibly in the media to challenge hamb and ignorant reporting of people with facial difference and other
disabilities.
And challenging public perceptions made her a target for online vitriol and abuse.
And given that she suffers from the rare skin condition ichthyos she knows just how much representation matters. She shares her own lived experiences, and through her work in the field of disability she has made the society we live in a better, kinder and more inclusive place.
Carly Findlay received a medal of the Order of Australia for her advocacy work for people with disabilities. Her memoir, Say Hello, was published in 2019 and she works as a writer, speaker and appearance advocate.
She won’t be defined by other people.
She will advocate for those who need a voice.
Carly Findlay is proud of her identity and helps others to feel the same way about themselves.”. 3. The book, on some bright blue fabric with a cake print. 4. A video of me flicking through the book – showing some of the women featured.
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