The Me in the Mirror

By Connie Panzarino

Book Overview

Writer, activist and artist Connie Panzarino was born in 1947 with the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III, formerly called Amytonia Congenita. Throughout a childhood filled with both pain and joy, she strove to define herself: "I knew I was different. Now I had a name for the difference, like being Italian or Jewish. I was an Amytonia. I didn't understand if that meant that I would never walk, or if all it meant was lack of muscle tone. I didn't know that most children with this disease die before they're five years old."

In this deeply moving and eloquent memoir, Connie Panzarino describes her decades of struggle and triumph, her relationships with family members and long-time lover Ron Kovic (author of Born on the Fourth of July), her eventual turn to lesbianism, and her years of pioneering work in the disability rights movement.

Filled with spirit, passion and defiance, The Me In The Mirror tells the story of a remarkable life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1878067451
• ISBN13: 9781878067456
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: Seal Press (CA)
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A must read...

As a disabled woman, I really loved this book, and could identify with many aspects of Connie's life. An educating book to those who are not disabled.

A Great Leader--A Great Woman

I finished this book last night, and I was frankly infuriated by some of the earlier reviews posted about this book. This is probably the most illuminating book about the day to day existence of an extremely disabled person; which holds back nothing, that has ever been written. Panzarino, who, despite her disability was a powerful force for chance in the way the disabled are treated in society, passed away on the 4th of July of this year. Her passing only makes this book more poignant. Panzarino's style is eloquent and engaging; her story both heartbreaking and inspirational. This book is a MUST read for anyone interested in reading fascinating biographies of women who have truly helped to change the world, as well as a great tool for understanding what those with disabilities go through in a world that wasn't designed with them in mind. This book changed my view of the world profoundly. I am planning on buying it for all my friends as Xmas gifts--and hope that Connie's incredible courage wil inspire them as much as it did me.

a baldly honest inside look into a disabled womin's life

Ms. Panzarino presents an accurate and passionate account of an absolutely remarkable life. She survived the disability that should have killed her as a child, the terrible pressures of her home, where she and her mother were trapped in a dance with no help for either. She fought her family and the "abled" world for her independence and THRIVED as a whole womin in a society which assigns a half-life to the disabled adult. I am new to the disabled community, having suffered a major stroke at the age of 49 and two small ones since. They have left me nearly speechless but I cannot even imagine the world Ms. Panzrino has had to live in. I can only admire this brave womin's strength, fortitude, intelligence and candor. The reviewer who did not see the life story and daily life of a disabled person did NOT read the same book I read!! This is and excellent read by an enlightened individual! My only disappointment is that there has not been a follow-up book since this wonderful tome was written!

Poignant telling of an interesting but very challenging life

Connie Panzarino tells the story of the horrors of disability and fight for the right to have a normal life. She is a true advocate and an inspiration for everyone, disabled and able-bodied alike.

Heavy Story, Light Read

I just finished this wonderful book after only two days. I couldn't put it down. Panzarino writes her own life story in a novel-like, episodic narrative style. She tells her story with shocking honesty as well as humor. This book is both eye-opening and entertaining, and I highly recommend it.