Bristol author Lottie Jackson publishes memoir tackling the stigma surrounding disability

Lottie Jackson is a journalist, researcher, editor and disability activist with a background in fashion media and an interest in issues that impact identity, social progress and diversity.

Part memoir, part essay collection, her debut book See Me Rolling is out now, published by Penguin Random House – in which Jackson uses first-hand experience to examine a new and more inclusive vision for the future.

“Can we redefine our philosophy of beauty, freedom, identity, productivity, love and desire in a culture that demands physical perfection?” she asks. “I believe so.”

The book was commissioned by assistant editor Elena Roberts as a direct response to Jackson’s selection for the publisher’s award-winning WriteNow programme. Roberts cites the “vibrant, provocative and very funny” tone of Jackson’s writing, as well as the shock in what she unearths when searching to reframe contemporary societal perceptions of disability.

“45 per cent of the British public don’t even feel comfortable using the word ‘disabled’,” Roberts reflects. “In other words, not only are we not talking about disability inequality enough, but we are not talking to disabled people enough. “I honestly believe that this book has the potential to confront limiting stereotypes and jump-start a much-needed conversation.”

Jackson joined Bristol24/7 to share some insights about her home city, her changing perspectives, and her hopes for the book.

What is your experiences of Bristol as an accessible city, and what more needs to be done in this area?

“The main accessibility barriers are the fact that many shops do not have step-free access or lifts; a number of streets have been pedestrianised, meaning it’s not possible to park within a short walking distance; and pavements can be difficult to navigate with uneven ground or no dropped curbs.

“But the truth is disability is such a diverse and wide-ranging category of identity, so I must stress that there are other improvements needed to meet different access requirements.”

Having written the book, has your perspective changed on what it means to be living with a disability in contemporary Britain?

“Before writing See Me Rolling, I don’t think I had a true or complete understanding about what it means to be living with a disability in contemporary Britain. The topic of disability has always been flattened, one-dimensional and subject to erasure in the public sphere.

“For example, so many of today’s conversations exclude people with disabilities — whether that’s in terms of our education system, MeToo, wellness trends, fashion and beauty ideals, productivity, social media, sex and relationships.

“In reality, there is so much to uncover and explore. While researching the cultural history and reflecting back on my own experiences, it completely changed not only how I view the world, but also myself. I have tried to share all that I have learnt, communicating both the injustices and untold joys of disability in a way that feels original and unexpected.”

What impact do you hope the book might have?

“I have always believed that one of the biggest injustices facing disabled people is a lack of confidence about how to approach disability. In fact, 45 per cent of the British public do not even feel comfortable saying the word ‘disabled’. I want this book to change the game, to break down the awkwardness, reticence and myths that plague people with disabilities.

“Too often our society sees disability as a sign of weakness and limitation — whereas I know that it’s an identity defined by resilience, creativity and innovation. It is my hope that, by changing readers’ attitudes, this could go some way to eliminating real world inequality.

“Once we have eradicated our negative perceptions, disabled individuals will become more accepted into all areas of life — education, media, politics, and the workplace.”

Lottie Jackson: See Me Rolling is out now, published by Penguin Random House, and more information about the author is available at www.lottievjackson.com.

All photos: Lottie Jackson

Read more: How we can tackle Bristol’s disability employment gap

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