{"id":8317,"date":"2020-10-27T09:12:09","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T22:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taramoss.com\/?p=8317"},"modified":"2020-10-27T09:12:12","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T22:12:12","slug":"seven-indomitable-women-of-world-war-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taramoss.com\/seven-indomitable-women-of-world-war-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Indomitable Women of World War II"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In these times of unrest, lockdowns and change, and on the 75th Commemoration of the End of World War II, it feels more appropriate than ever to see what lessons we can take from pivotal moments in history, and the actions of those who came before us. After all, as George Santayana wrote in 1905: \u201cThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In looking back on history, it is imperative we re-examine, expand our understanding, and in some cases, take inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have long had a passion for history\u2019s under-told stories, in particular the extraordinary women of the WWII era\u2014and there are so many women who we have not heard enough about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, with evidence of rising fascism, and even Nazi symbols proudly displayed at marches, the hard lessons of WWII and the postwar period continue to resonate, spurring me on to write my thirteenth book, The War Widow, which I dedicated to my Oma and Opa\u2014ordinary citizens who did extraordinary things to escape the Nazis in occupied Holland. The War Widow is a novel in the hard-boiled tradition, but with a twist, and is unashamedly centered on ordinary people\u2014not generals, royals and politicians\u2014but on the women who are too often overlooked in our retelling of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In it, my main character\u2014war reporter turned private inquiry agent Billie Walker\u2014pushes against the workforce prejudices of 1946 Australia, as does her informant and friend, Shyla, a Wirajuri woman who deals with the compounded prejudices experienced by Aboriginal women. The world these brave women inhabit is one of danger, massive social and political change, disabled and traumatised soldiers returning from overseas, and ongoing racial and class divisions…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about 7 incredible women of WW2 and read the rest of Tara’s piece at Ms Magazine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In these times of unrest, lockdowns and change, and on the 75th Commemoration of the End of World War II, it feels more appropriate than ever to see what lessons we can take from pivotal moments in history, and the actions of those who came before us. After all, as George Santayana wrote in 1905: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? What better time to write a few words on being a proud disabled woman and taking pride in my damn fine walking stick, 'Wolfie'.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people with disabilities, injuries, chronic illness or simply age benefit from the use of a mobility aid. For some, however, the transition to using a mobility aids may be a tough, due to stigma in the community, attitudes in their family, or internalized ableism. Mobility aids make disability visible and ableism - that is, negative or derogatory attitudes and discrimination against people with disabilities - is so rife in common language <\/a>and practices, that comfort with using aids publicly can be something that takes practice, and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple studies show that stigma and embarrassment are still major obstacles to mobility aid use. (See Research highlights reluctance to use mobility aids due to others\u2019 perceptions<\/a>, as well as Stigma, Embarrassment and the Use of Mobility Aids<\/a>, and Perspectives on Use of Mobility Aids in a Diverse Population of Seniors: Implications for Intervention<\/a>) This means many who would otherwise benefit from mobility aids don't use them, or won't leave the house with them, and therefore experience more pain, falls risk and health issues, and less public participation and freedom than they would otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's important to de-stigmatize disability and mobility aid use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although I also post about these topics at Tara and Wolfie<\/a>, as it\u2019s Disability Pride Month it feels like a good time to write a short blog answering some of the simple questions I am asked almost daily by people who are new to mobility aids and want to give them a try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People often contact me privately to ask me if they are \u2018disabled enough\u2019 to use an aid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am here to tell you what others have explained to me in the past - there is no limit on who can use an aid, ie: who is \u2018disabled enough\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can benefit from using a mobility aid, you have the right to use one. That is what they exist for.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are literally thousands of illnesses, disorders, congenital disabilities, impairments, and injuries that can require or be helped by the use of aids. These include but are by no means limited to things like low vision, muscle weakness, POTS, EDS, nerve injury, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, MS, dizziness, falls risk, simple ageing, and partial or total paralysis. Due to the nature of their condition, many who use mobility aids use different ones in different circumstances (crutches or wheelchair, cane or walker, etc), and on other days may not require one at all. The fact that so many people are surprised a person who uses a wheelchair may also be able to sometimes walk is yet another reflection of the fact that far more disabled voices and stories need to be heard<\/strong> in mainstream media and culture so their lives are represented with some accuracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all people who use aids have paralysis, are amputees, or are seniors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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