Avoiding ableism in postapocalyptic fiction

[msmcknittington]

I was having a conversation in cleolinda's journal on LJ about how frustrating the Dies the Fire and other books in that universe by SM Stirling are because of the ableism. This is a pretty big stumbling block for me in postapocalyptic fiction, because I have insulin-dependent diabetes, and I basically see myself written out of the story whenever I pick up one of these books. And not just "you don't exist" but "you existed, but you died a horrible death which the author just couldn't be bothered to write about".

So! With that in mind, can anyone recommend any postapocalyptic fiction which addresses people with disabilities and/or chronic medical conditions? It could even be as simple as the character needing glasses to see and not being able to get them because of the postapocalyptic setting. I think I'd prefer it if the character was a major character in the novel who was fully fleshed out, rather than an emotional accessory for or someone to be "rescued" by the protagonist. Happy ending, if possible.

I feel like this is a pretty tall order, but there must be something out there somewhere. I'd even be open to just plain fantasy recommendations which deal with disability in a realistic way. That aren't, um, the Vorkosigan Saga, that is.

Comments

[brigid]

This probably isn't helpful AT ALL but in "The Postman," the narrator (I forget his name, you know, the guy played by Kevin Costner in the movie) is kind of obsessed with his toothbrush because he's seen people get tooth abscesses from lack of dental care. It was a really nice, realistic touch but not on the same level of needing medication or assistive devices to function.

If my glasses got broken in a post-apoc world without eye doctors, I'd be in so much trouble.

[msmcknittington]

Oh, that is a nice touch! And I actually enjoy the movie, but haven't read the book.

If my glasses got broken in a post-apoc world without eye doctors, I'd be in so much trouble.

I know, right? Other people have plans in case zombies attack. I have an insulin rationing plan half figured out in case the nation's infrastructure collapses.

[brigid]

I'm wracking my brains because I've read a fair amount of post-apoc fiction and I really can't think of anything like you're searching for. Mentions-in-passing of picking up antibiotics from a pharmacy/drug store/whatever happen but other than that?

Hm. In "30 days of night" (the movie; possibly the comic) one of the main characters has asthma. They break into a store for supplies and also grab an inhaler while they're there, which he uses gratefully because he's had problems breathing for quite a while. Ironically, I think it would be easier for me to get the medications I need (albuterol inhaler, metformin) if I had license to break into a pharmacy and loot than it is now.

[msmcknittington]

I've read quite a bit of postapocalyptic fiction, too, and I was hoping that someone would have read something that I hadn't which actually addressed what I think is a huge and compelling issue, and not just because I have diabetes. I'm really hoping that this isn't one of those situations where "if you want it, create it!" because I don't want to write a postapocalyptic novel. I only want to read them.

Thank you! I'll see if I can't track down the movie or the comic.

Ironically, I think it would be easier for me to get the medications I need (albuterol inhaler, metformin) if I had license to break into a pharmacy and loot than it is now.

:( Oh, the sad truth of the American health care system.

[brigid]

I haven't read the comic but the movie was... interesting in parts and awful in other parts. I like the way the vampires were treated, actually.

[msmcknittington]

O noes! Do you want to go into more detail? I don't care if you spoil it.

[brigid]

I don't remember a lot of what I didn't like about it, just that I considered reccing it for a bad film festival some friends of mine run. There's some really cliched stuff going on, though.

If you're really into vampires, check it out. I don't regret watching it, but I wish it had been better.

[msmcknittington]

I just looked it up on Wikipedia, and I saw that it starred Josh Hartnett, so I'm kind of forming a mental picture of the acting and such. And some vampires are killed with a snowplow? Maybe I'll give the movie a miss . . .

[brigid]

Oh yeah, there is some serious over-the-top-ness.

I'm a huge sucker for fan of vampires, in general, so will usually watch crappy movies/read bad books about them just to get my vampire fix. And really, the way the actual vampires are handled was nicely done.

[msmcknittington]

I like vampires, but I don't really like really bloody movies, so what with the head crushing and vampire plowing, it probably won't be for me. Sadly, I'm a fan of angsty vampires, while simultaneously being aware that it's all a little silly, really, all these men in frilly shirts yearning for humanity and marinating in self-loathing. So I'd probably like most vampire horror movies more if there was less blood and more . . . La Bohème with vampires.

[brigid]

See, I'm fine with a bit of the old ultra-violence unless it is specifically racist or misogynist.

[msmcknittington]

I'm not too fond of ultra-violence. I feel bad when, like, nameless cowboys die in Westerns. I think I'm more OK with meaningful deaths that make sense, though I'm not always fond of them, either.

[clare_dragonfly]

On the plus side, this post has made me think about the postapocalyptic serial I'm working on and consider adding disabled characters--something that has, I'm sorry to say, never occurred to me. It isn't a sudden apocalypse, more of a combination of economic troubles and physical and chemical warfare that contributed to a relatively slow decline, but surely people with glasses, diabetics, and asthmatics would still be around!

The main character does have PTSD, which is a different sort of disability. When I get it up and running (I plan to write it as an online serial), I'll be sure to let you know. Also hi, I know you from Ravelry! :D

[msmcknittington]

Yay! I'm glad something good has come out of it! :D

Hello! Are you also clare_dragonfly there?

[clare_dragonfly]

Yes I am! Well, actually claredragonfly with no underscore, because Ravelry doesn't let you have underscores (and hardly anybody lets you have hyphens, which is what I prefer). I'm in the Steamy Stitches group and I think we might have a couple of other groups in common too.