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Not a Poster Child: Living Well with a Disability―A Memoir
Polio is back in the news. Almost forgotten for decades in the US, it has been brought back into the spotlight by the anti-vaxxer movement―but for millions around the world, especially those who have residual or late effects of polio, this virus has never been old news.
Francine Falk-Allen was only three years old when she contracted polio and temporarily lost the ability to stand and walk. Here, she tells the story of how a toddler learned grown-up lessons too soon; a schoolgirl tried her best to be a “normie,” on into young adulthood; and a woman finally found her balance, physically and spiritually. In lucid, dryly humorous prose, she also explores how her disability has affected her choices in living a fulfilling (and amusing) life in every area―relationships, career, religion (or not), athleticism, artistic expression, and aging, to name a few. A clear-eyed examination of living with a handicap, Not a Poster Child is one woman’s story of finding her way to a balanced life―one with a little cheekiness and a lot of joy.
Francine Falk-Allen was only three years old when she contracted polio and temporarily lost the ability to stand and walk. Here, she tells the story of how a toddler learned grown-up lessons too soon; a schoolgirl tried her best to be a “normie,” on into young adulthood; and a woman finally found her balance, physically and spiritually. In lucid, dryly humorous prose, she also explores how her disability has affected her choices in living a fulfilling (and amusing) life in every area―relationships, career, religion (or not), athleticism, artistic expression, and aging, to name a few. A clear-eyed examination of living with a handicap, Not a Poster Child is one woman’s story of finding her way to a balanced life―one with a little cheekiness and a lot of joy.
376 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 1, 2019
"It takes guts to be handicapped."
I’ve literally highlighted the entire book, but this quote was my favorite. Being disabled, or handicapped as Francine prefers it, is not for the fainthearted. I lost track of how long it took me to finish this book. The first half was too painful for me, it brought too many memories back to the surface, memories of my childhood at hospitals which always haunt me, but I try not to think about. Francine and I have different disabilities, and we are from different generations and countries, but it’s the first time I could actually relate to someone’s experiences. This is why we need diverse books.
The book is actually intended to able-body people, I think this is the only thing I didn’t like because Francine’s story felt so personal to me, so it kind of offended me when she spoke to a reader who didn’t understand how hard living with a disability actually is. In her book, Francine tells us how polio affected her life, but she never let it define it. She dealt with her obstacles with creative, smart solutions and never let her lazy leg stopped her from living her life. Frankly, I wish I could have read this book when I was younger (although the bits about drugs wouldn’t have been age-appropriate haha), it would have been amazing to know there was somebody out there who went through problems like mine and she still had a full life. I cried a lot while reading this book, I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish it but I’m so happy I did.
I’ve literally highlighted the entire book, but this quote was my favorite. Being disabled, or handicapped as Francine prefers it, is not for the fainthearted. I lost track of how long it took me to finish this book. The first half was too painful for me, it brought too many memories back to the surface, memories of my childhood at hospitals which always haunt me, but I try not to think about. Francine and I have different disabilities, and we are from different generations and countries, but it’s the first time I could actually relate to someone’s experiences. This is why we need diverse books.
The book is actually intended to able-body people, I think this is the only thing I didn’t like because Francine’s story felt so personal to me, so it kind of offended me when she spoke to a reader who didn’t understand how hard living with a disability actually is. In her book, Francine tells us how polio affected her life, but she never let it define it. She dealt with her obstacles with creative, smart solutions and never let her lazy leg stopped her from living her life. Frankly, I wish I could have read this book when I was younger (although the bits about drugs wouldn’t have been age-appropriate haha), it would have been amazing to know there was somebody out there who went through problems like mine and she still had a full life. I cried a lot while reading this book, I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish it but I’m so happy I did.
December 20, 2018
AUTHOR’S REVIEW: Several months ago I would have given this, my own memoir, 3 or 4 stars because I thought it was pretty good, but not great. But Kirkus Reviews has listed it as one of the 100 best indie books of 2018 of 3,000 reviewed, also in the top 10% of the 10,000 they reviewed (received the Kirkus star), and also listed it as one of the seven best indie memoirs of 2018. It has also received a gold medal from Living Now Book Awards and a silver medal from Sarton Women's Story Circle, both for memoir. So I’m owning it; it’s a very good book and I hope you’ll read it. It’s not just about “having polio.” It’s about facing repeated and myriad challenges and finding a way through while still finding humor and acceptance in life. I think you’d like it.
January 25, 2020
Wow. What a fantastic read!
Full disclosure: I have known the author, Francine Falk-Allen, for about forty years. We were in each other's orbits primarily in the 1980s, and we reconnected recently in a deeper way. I'm unsettled to realize that, until reading her memoir, I had never really thought about her life's journey. Her book made me confront my young self's ignorance and lack of curiosity about how she became the vibrant and capable person I met in my early 20s (her early 30s). Yes, I realized she limped, and I figured she'd had polio, but it never occurred to me to think about how that disease affected her (or anyone else, really). Sheesh. Enough about me and my failings as a human being.
Francine's recall of her very young years is truly astounding. Her book begins just before she contracted polio at age 3; continues into her months-long confinement to a crib in a large room with other small children recovering from the initial onslaught of the disease; moves through her childhood and teenage years, when she had to cope not only with all the difficulties inherent in growing up but also the physical, social, and psychological challenges of doing so while contending with polio and its aftermath; and continues into her adult life. At every stage, she was wholly engaged with life, which makes the book a real page-turner!
I appreciated the way Francine wrote about mining her own memory. Sometimes she would recall something that happened but couldn't know why it happened, or what someone else's motivations could have been — but she *does* remember her assumptions and projections, which are fascinating and sometimes heart-breaking.
I have always known Francine as brilliant, quick-witted, and dryly amusing; her clear, candid, and potent writing brings forth her voice with openness and humor.
Not a Poster Child will expand your mind, make you laugh, and enhance your ability to empathize with everyone you meet. It's a must-read.
Full disclosure: I have known the author, Francine Falk-Allen, for about forty years. We were in each other's orbits primarily in the 1980s, and we reconnected recently in a deeper way. I'm unsettled to realize that, until reading her memoir, I had never really thought about her life's journey. Her book made me confront my young self's ignorance and lack of curiosity about how she became the vibrant and capable person I met in my early 20s (her early 30s). Yes, I realized she limped, and I figured she'd had polio, but it never occurred to me to think about how that disease affected her (or anyone else, really). Sheesh. Enough about me and my failings as a human being.
Francine's recall of her very young years is truly astounding. Her book begins just before she contracted polio at age 3; continues into her months-long confinement to a crib in a large room with other small children recovering from the initial onslaught of the disease; moves through her childhood and teenage years, when she had to cope not only with all the difficulties inherent in growing up but also the physical, social, and psychological challenges of doing so while contending with polio and its aftermath; and continues into her adult life. At every stage, she was wholly engaged with life, which makes the book a real page-turner!
I appreciated the way Francine wrote about mining her own memory. Sometimes she would recall something that happened but couldn't know why it happened, or what someone else's motivations could have been — but she *does* remember her assumptions and projections, which are fascinating and sometimes heart-breaking.
I have always known Francine as brilliant, quick-witted, and dryly amusing; her clear, candid, and potent writing brings forth her voice with openness and humor.
Not a Poster Child will expand your mind, make you laugh, and enhance your ability to empathize with everyone you meet. It's a must-read.
September 3, 2018
This book is heart-breaking, humorous, but mainly it's inspiring as the author takes us on her journey of life, living with the after affects of contracting polio at the tender age of three.
I'm old enough to remember people in my life who were living with the affects of polio. I'm also young enough to be one of the blessed that received the vaccination as a child so polio was never something I ever worried about. I think this memoir is so important to educate people about what it was like before we had some of these medical break-throughs.
Francine takes us through her life, from being a small child getting sick and being put into a hospital ward with many other children, without her parents, for six months, to navigating through adulthood. One of the things that make this book extra enjoyable is all the photographs that she includes in her book. I love being able to put a face to a name and seeing all her photos really brings the book alive.
She also doesn't hold back in sharing about her life - the highs and the lows. Her dilemmas, at times, of dealing with "her little leg" (as she calls it) and coming to terms with her complex and often difficult relationship with her mother. We are made aware of the more difficult things that people who are disabled have to deal with. However, Francine never gives the impression that we need to feel sorry for her, nor does she want accolades for being brave.
I really enjoyed this book and came away having a much deeper understanding of what polio did to those who contracted it and have to deal with the after effects of it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me by Book Sparks. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
I'm old enough to remember people in my life who were living with the affects of polio. I'm also young enough to be one of the blessed that received the vaccination as a child so polio was never something I ever worried about. I think this memoir is so important to educate people about what it was like before we had some of these medical break-throughs.
Francine takes us through her life, from being a small child getting sick and being put into a hospital ward with many other children, without her parents, for six months, to navigating through adulthood. One of the things that make this book extra enjoyable is all the photographs that she includes in her book. I love being able to put a face to a name and seeing all her photos really brings the book alive.
She also doesn't hold back in sharing about her life - the highs and the lows. Her dilemmas, at times, of dealing with "her little leg" (as she calls it) and coming to terms with her complex and often difficult relationship with her mother. We are made aware of the more difficult things that people who are disabled have to deal with. However, Francine never gives the impression that we need to feel sorry for her, nor does she want accolades for being brave.
I really enjoyed this book and came away having a much deeper understanding of what polio did to those who contracted it and have to deal with the after effects of it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me by Book Sparks. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
August 14, 2018
This was such an inspirational memoir. I am (just) young enough that polio was not a part of my childhood reality. I'm ashamed to admit that living with the sequelae is not something that has ever been in my consciousness, but Francine Falk-Allen has changed that with her funny, candid, honest, and informational book. My heart went out to the little three year old girl, alone in the hospital for months, trying to make sense of her new world -- and to the girl, teenager, and woman who never gave up despite the challenges. Wonderful read!
February 26, 2020
4.5 stars. A compelling memoir written by a woman who has been living with the aftermath of polio which she contracted at the age of 3: a 1950's coming-of-age story with a difference. This well-written account follows her on-going struggles with a profound limp causing difficulty with walking, years of multiple surgeries and braces, the prejudice she has faced, and the continuing struggle to be heard and taken seriously by medical professionals. Her strength, resilience, and sense of humor shines throughout. Readers familiar with the disability rights movement will find her embrace of the word "handicapped" jarring and antiquated. She explains her personal preference for that term, but unfortunately not until page 255. Nevertheless, she offers a spirited account of a life well-lived with a disability.
March 3, 2025
Great book! It taught me a great deal about polio.
kindle
August 8, 2018The author does an amazing job of allowing the reader to feel her pain and triumphs after she contracts polio at the age of 3 and struggled with the physical and emotional aftereffects throughout life as she attempted to be a "normie" and fit in. Even though she only had to use her "Kenny Sticks" for a period of time, she felt the emotional effects for decades. Great writing, make sure you have tissues handy when you read this one!
August 20, 2018
This memoir is witty, heartbreaking and inspiring all at once in its honest and straightforward recounting of her life living with the results of polio. Mastering daily living tasks, seeking both meaning and fun in life, all the while dealing with a less than balanced physical frame, Falk-Allen takes the reader on her journey. I could not put it down from start to finish. This is a tour de force!
February 1, 2019
I found this book absolutely fascinating. As a polio survivor myself, I could really relate to so many of her experiences and feelings, and she just about said it all. The author, Francine Falk-Allen, has really done her research. This book provides a lot of good information on Polio, Post Polio Syndrome, and vaccination. I highly recommend this book, and found it very interesting. She has had quite a life so far, and expects to live into her 90s (she is in her 70s now). More power to her!
July 13, 2019
I read this book as research for a project that I'm doing. The first part is a devastating glimpse into Falk-Allen's life as a very young child in a polio ward. For those of us who grew up knowing people affected by the disease, this is a reminder of just how awful, isolating and stigmatizing polio was. But for many people like the author, the disease still affects them, and her heartbreaking memoir reveals the deep impact, emotionally and physically.
January 12, 2019
I loved this well written story of living with a disability and overcoming many obstacles to live a life of quality that many of us without handicap don't attain. Francine surprised me, delighted me, made me mad at the hurt and pain that she faced and made me cry but this is not a poor me book. Rather it is a story of courage and hope that will resonate well with readers, handicapped or not.
March 23, 2019
I loved this book. Reading Francine’s struggles with fitting in socially, with friends and boys in the 50s and 60s with a disability—she overcame many, and at times, overwhelming difficult obstacles including fighting for healthcare later on in life on her terms. What a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman she grew to be.
January 31, 2019
Well written, funny & informative...a good read!
October 25, 2019
I like hearing about the world from different perspectives.
February 22, 2020
A wonderful book that will help you to view others in a new and positive light.
July 13, 2018
Not a Poster Child
Living Well with a Disability—A Memoir
by Francine Falk-Allen
She Writes Press
Biographies & Memoirs , Health, Mind & Body
Pub Date 07 Aug 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Not A Poster Child through She Writes Press and Netgalley:
Francine Falk Allen became sick with Polio at the age of three. She talks about her time in the hospital, relearning to walk using children's crutches called Kenny Sticks.
Having almost been forgotten for decades, Polio has been brought back into the Spotlight by the anti-vaccination movement. For millions around the world, especially those who have the late effects of Polio, this virus was never old news.
Not A Poster Child is the story of how Francine Falk Allen, tried her best to be a "normie" throughout school and how she finally found her balance in life.
I give Not A Poster Child five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Francine Falk Allen became sick with Polio at the age of three. She talks about her time in the hospital, relearning to walk using children's crutches called Kenny Sticks.
Having almost been forgotten for decades, Polio has been brought back into the Spotlight by the anti-vaccination movement. For millions around the world, especially those who have the late effects of Polio, this virus was never old news.
Not A Poster Child is the story of how Francine Falk Allen, tried her best to be a "normie" throughout school and how she finally found her balance in life.
I give Not A Poster Child five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
June 18, 2023
Francine Falk-Allen's memoir about life with polio is a long visit with a frank, charming, and witty woman- with a serious physical disability. Her life is a discrete lesson for us "normies" as we learn what it takes to be Francine. The author's light touch and a knack for writing personal essay make the book a good companion. I particularly liked going through 1960s and 1970s California with her as an aspiring artist who learns throat singing by accident while on a "trip" and joins a Sufi commune. Nor does she want us to think she can do anything. She's too plain spoken for that, which is part of the charm of the book. One likes her for her honesty.
While this book seems aimed at those who do not suffer from polio, it's good to know that she has another book full of anecdote and advice for traveling with a handicap, called No Spring Chicken.
While this book seems aimed at those who do not suffer from polio, it's good to know that she has another book full of anecdote and advice for traveling with a handicap, called No Spring Chicken.
November 21, 2024
What a fascinating story. As someone who has lived with the benefits of vaccines it was an eye opener to live thru someone who did not get that luxury.
Francine tells us the story of her life with such heart and humor - keeping it interesting and informative. I was captivated by her life story and the need to keep going to see how it all turned out!
Francine tells us the story of her life with such heart and humor - keeping it interesting and informative. I was captivated by her life story and the need to keep going to see how it all turned out!
January 23, 2019
I'm really not sure what to say about this, the conclusion about vaccinations was definitely heartfelt and was worth reading, but I would recommend just doing that instead of going through the whole book unless you have a deep interest in Sufism or the author's life. Yes, it is a memoir so I probably should have known what to expect, but I just wish there was more "bigger picture" & less focus on the author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews