Welcome to Disabled Tales
This website was been created as a space to explore and discuss folklore and fairy tales with a particular focus on disabled characters.
Disabled characters are not scarce in folklore and fairy tales, while in other genres they are almost non-existent! However, disability is often imposed on characters as a punishment, or else some physical disfigurement marks a character as evil. If a "good" character is disabled, they are generally cured by the end of the story and this is seen as a personal triumph.
We have been reading disabled bodies symbolically for far too long and it is time we start viewing them as people, rather than devices.
Fairy and folk tales have survived because they have been retold over and over. They have grown and changed in lots of ways, but not so much when it comes to the representation of disability. So let's talk about why. Let's talk about the characters that resonate with us. Let's discuss the parts of these stories that make us uncomfortable and let's talk about where we feel seen. Let’s change the narrative, transform it, even!
We'll be posting articles spotlighting both well and lesser known characters and examining what a disabled perspective can bring to our understanding of these stories. However...
We would also love to hear from disabled people!
What are your opinions on fairy tales? Do you love them? Do you hate them? Who do you identify with? Are these stories important? Send us your thoughts, essays, articles, or anecdotes!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Disabled characters are not scarce in folklore and fairy tales, while in other genres they are almost non-existent! However, disability is often imposed on characters as a punishment, or else some physical disfigurement marks a character as evil. If a "good" character is disabled, they are generally cured by the end of the story and this is seen as a personal triumph.
We have been reading disabled bodies symbolically for far too long and it is time we start viewing them as people, rather than devices.
Fairy and folk tales have survived because they have been retold over and over. They have grown and changed in lots of ways, but not so much when it comes to the representation of disability. So let's talk about why. Let's talk about the characters that resonate with us. Let's discuss the parts of these stories that make us uncomfortable and let's talk about where we feel seen. Let’s change the narrative, transform it, even!
We'll be posting articles spotlighting both well and lesser known characters and examining what a disabled perspective can bring to our understanding of these stories. However...
We would also love to hear from disabled people!
What are your opinions on fairy tales? Do you love them? Do you hate them? Who do you identify with? Are these stories important? Send us your thoughts, essays, articles, or anecdotes!
We look forward to hearing from you!
A large tree in the middle of green woodland. Large white text reads: Disabled Tales. Smaller text reads: Discussing disabled characters in fairy tales and folklore.
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