In one essay, Nancy Mairs, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, labels herself “a cripple.” Mairs chooses this straightforward statement in order to inform the reader of her acceptance of the ramifications of her illness as well as her courage in face of the devastating malady. The honesty and sometimes bitter tone of the piece help convey Mairs’ message behind her blunt assessment.
Mairs’ ardor for the truth explains why she chooses to call herself a cripple. Mairs refuses to describe herself with kinder sounding euphemisms such as “disabled” or “handicapped” because she feels their definiti
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