The header of my blog proclaims that I am a scholar. My first post explained that I am an historian. Let me tell you how the wonders of history came into my life.
I always loved reading as a child, I read my first historical fiction in third grade. One of those horrendous (I now realize) "Dear America" books where a significant historic moment is watered down in order for children to understand. As an eight or nine year old though, I couldn't get enough. Soon I moved on to Anne Rinaldi and other writers. Then I began to go through stretches of time where I would only want to read things describing a particular era of history. I asked for the staple Holocaust memoir "Anne Frank:The Diary of a Young Girl" the Christmas of my tenth year and that led to a two year jag where I asked for books on the Holocaust for every birthday and Christmas. I also went through a Reveloutionary War phase. I still think I'm in a Civil War phase.
Of all the blood soaked wars this country has seen, I am most fascinated by the Civil War. I have very clear memories of warm summer days spent on the front porch of my grandparents' house hearing the story of a long-dead ancestor who had fought in that war. I remember seeing the faded letters as my grandfather held them and with a tone of reverence in his voice, read passages from them. The letters detail the daily struggles of a simple country doctor thrust into war. He quitely yearns for his hearth and home, his wife and his children. His sometimes heartfelt depictions and always picturesque writing are the reason I first loved history. If there were stories this cool in my own family, what would I find if I looked a little harder?
Fast forward about ten years or so. I was a sophmore in college. I had just decided that no, I did not want to be a teacher. Instead I became a history major. I was never sure what a degree in history would do for me, but I knew I would enjoy the journey, I did. I discovered the thing that has become my passion, though right now is relegated to a neglected hobby. I discovered disability studies.
A relatively new field, disability studies is a cross disciplinary field that explores disability through several different perspectives. Theory, literature, andmost importantly for me, history. I love so much about disability history. I love the dark and twisted nature of the beast. I love the stories of igenuity of people with disabilities solving problems for themselves when systems meant to serve them fail. What's not to love?
Enjoyed reading this entry. Your Uncle Don is a big Civil War buff too. Have you ever visited any battlefields? We visited Gettysburg a couple of years ago. Seeing where those battles took place really brought it to life. Looking forward to your next entry.
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