Introductions prior to discussion!

[Allie]

Hi all,

Let's take a moment to share 1) why we joined Damage and 2) what kind of books we want to read more of but haven't read much of in the past. Also, as a text-specific question, you are welcome to (but don't feel pressured to!) share whether you have any experience (first or second hand) with dyslexia or not and whether this book rang true.

I'll start: My name is Allie and I started this book club as a way of reaching out to members across the globe instead of the traditional version of a face-to-face book club (which is also great). I believe in removing the stigma from mental, physical, intellectual, and emotional differences and diagnoses and so wanted to discuss works of literature that surround that topic. As far as books, I am open to reading mostly anything, but am trying to make an effort to read more science fiction (suggestions welcome!) Overall, I prefer one-offs to series, but if it's really good, that's ok to recommend.

I do not have a learning difference, but one of the people closest to me has dyslexia. While I've adjusted to reading his writing and understanding what he says and it has not held him back at all from a successful career, I do know that he struggled quite a bit growing up and said that his parents cared less about his grades and were just happy he could read. He also said that as you age you learn tricks of how to get around it (he's an avid reader). I chose this book because I wanted to see a little bit into his world and what he was faced with growing up.

Looking forward to getting know you all!
Allie

[L.i.v.]

Hi my name is Liv and I joined Damage for a couple of reasons but the most obvious being that I love reading and I would like to interact with others online in discussions and what not. Like Allie, I believe in removing stigma surrounding mental health conditions. I have seen many negative and mixed reactions to the scars i have, both visible and those not visible, simply due to lack of knowledge on such things.
I read many genres of books though I would like to start reading more sci-fi, mystery, or historical books.
I have not met anyone with dyslexia before, nor have I really read anything about it. I had little understanding of it so I would like to see if any of you believe the book for this month did well at painting of picture of what it is like for someone with it. I would definitely like to learn more about it and be informed.

[kittykat AKA Ms. Tortitude]

Hi, I'm Jo and have been surrounded by mental health issues since I was born.

My mum was schizophrenic, among other issues. I carried the stigma of this my whole childhood, even to the extent of being ashamed of and denying who she was, to the detriment of my relationship with her. She was the kindest most gentle person I have ever met in this world. I'm glad to say that I have since grown up and now advocate for the normalising of discussions on such topics.

I joined this group because I love to read. Especially about people who are so-called flawed because that is what we all are to an extent, some more so than others. Some of us carry our flaws within, some are clear to see, and some are not so much flaws as just variances to the "average" body or persona.

Dyslexia is something I know little about, I have never to my knowledge met anyone dyslexic, and I think that I have only ever read one book (actually a series) about someone that has this condition. By reading Fish in a Tree I hope to gain more understanding of how hard it is carry out normal everyday activities against the difficulties that dyslexia can present. And as Liv said "I would like to see if any of you believe the book ...did well at painting of a picture of what it is like for someone with it. I would definitely like to learn more about it and be informed. " Sorry Liv for stealing your lines!

[Andy]

I'm Andy Ruffett. Apparently I have bipolar, which I don't believe I have. I also have A.D.H.D. which I DO believe.

Anyway, I've had three mental breakdowns in my life and I thought we were only choosing books that are about some sort of DAMAGE so I'm happy that's not the case.

Nice to meet all of you.

With writes,

-Andy Ruffett

[Allie]

Welcome, everyone! It's wonderful to hear your introductions and get to know you a little and I thank you for making this a safe and honest space. As you will learn over time, I have personally dealt with mental and physical health issues for a long time. I've also been exposed to a variety of issues by those who are close to me and so I'm looking forward to exploring each issue as we read a variety of works!
-Allie

[Manny]

Hi everyone, I'm Manny. Apologies for the late introduction. I joined this book club when Allie (my wife) invited me and because learning about both visible and invisible disabilities has been a strong interest of mine since high school (10+ years ago). In fact, in college, I spent part of a summer as a student intern at a U.S. state psychiatric hospital and interacted face-to-face with adults admitted there. I'm acutely aware of today's stigma surrounding mental illness and developmental disabilities, and I want to learn more about the realities of coping with these conditions to erase any hidden biases or misunderstandings I still hold.

Personally, I don't know anyone directly who has dyslexia. Our first book, Fish in a Tree, has been eye-opening for me because of how it sheds light on the daily life of a person coping with that condition.

I would also like to read a book about the challenges involved in being a child of alcoholic (or recovering alcoholic) parents. This is my situation, and I know that my risk of alcohol addiction is automatically higher because of alcoholism's genetic component.