I end up reviewing a lot of content. Part of that is the nature of my being so opinionated, and part of it when I get excited about things, I want to talk about it, and where better to talk about something that on my blog?!
I do use affiliate links – that means that if you buy something that I linked to, I’ll get some percentage of the sale from the retailer, but you don’t pay any more money (in fact, you usually get a discount). I hope it goes without saying that I would never put up a link to something I don’t personally use or like. But aside from Patreon, this is the only way I can generate income for all the work I do right now, so I REALLY REALLY appreciate you using those links. Thank you.
If you are interested in a particular review for a book, product, software, camera, clothing item, please email me your request.
If you are interested in writing a review for me (I’m most interested in people who can write a review on clothing or items related to disabilities other than my own), also email – a contact form is on the bottom of this page.
If you are interested in having something reviewed by me, that contact form on the bottom of the page is waiting for you, too!
Best Books Featuring Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
These are lists of children’s books for deaf and hard of hearing children, featuring deaf or hard of hearing children in the stories. Deaf or hard of hearing children are the main characters in the stories. Some of the books feature kids with cochlear implants, other with hearing aids. Amazon is linked for clarity –…
Daisy Woodworm Changes the World: A Book Review
This is Micah Nichols’ inaugural blog post, an interview with author Melissa Hart on her book, “Daisy Wormwood Changes the World.” You can listen to this interview via the “Unpacking Disability with Meriah Nichols” podcast, below, or on Spotify or Apple iTunes. Melissa Hart wrote a book geared for teens: Because this book was geared…
Year of the Tiger, by Alice Wong: A Review
This is a review of the book, “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life,” by Alice Wong. You can listen to me read this post by clicking the player below this, or on my podcast on Spotify or iTunes. Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life Sometimes I feel like any memoir written even a…
Here’s How to Find ALL the Disability Stuff on Netflix
A list of the hidden category codes on Netflix, including the disability category code, leading you to all the disability content on Netflix
“10 Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation”
Get past the first couple of chapters and you’ll probably fall in love with it
Marlee Matlin, Her Perfect Teeth, and CODA
Marlee Matlin’s perfect teeth almost scared me away. Glad they didn’t. CODA deserves all the awards.
Join Us: A Conversation with Authors of “Unexpected”
On Thursday May 27th, George Estreich and Rachel Adams will join Meriah in a LIVE Zoom/Facebook conversation about the book, “Unexpected.” Alison Piepmeier started the book and George and Rachel finished it after she passed on in 2016. Unexpected Unexpected is about parenting, prenatal testing, and Down syndrome. It is about our stories, choices and…
A Movie Like Run: Riveting, Representing and Rupturing
This is a review of the movie, Run, starring Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allan, which is currently playing on Hulu. Spoilers are in this review! Run: A Movie with Some Pop Run is the first move in a long time to star an actual wheelchair user in a lead role, and that’s pretty exciting for…
Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club: Being Heumann, by Judy Heumann
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is about the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club pick for March, and the schedule! And lastly! This post is available via PDF and MP3 (with me reading it) on my Patreon site (linked here). Alternatively, you can find it at the end of this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Judy Heumann is one of…
“The Pretty One” by Keah Brown for February Read
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a news post, announcing that the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club has selected The Pretty One, by Keah Brown, as our February read.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Keah Brown went and wrote a book that screams, “READ MEEEEEEEE,” and so we shall! Details About “The Pretty One” “From the disability rights advocate and…
![Activism Against Ableism: a short film with everything you need to know. [Image Description: white background with a navy blue square divided in two, with large text reading "Activism Against Ableism" - the text has been divided in two and the pieced back together, and the text is half in white and half in navy blue]](https://www.meriahnichols.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/activismagainstableism.jpg)
Activism Against Ableism: A Short Film on Everything You Need to Know
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a short video explaining what ableism is, the basic pieces behind disability rights, and what having a disability is, what a disability is.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Ableism? Ableism is prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism is real, and exists even among people with disabilities, as we can internalize the ableism that…
Rae Reviews: Stumble to Rise: a Memoir on Living with Multiple Sclerosis
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round”]Rae reviews the book, Stumble to Rise, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stumble to Rise is an autobiographical description of living a full life with multiple sclerosis (MS). Gina, the author, has a meaningful career, an active family and a stylish home. She describes both the medical and physical experience of MS (procedures, mobility issues) as…
Haben: Read the Book in December & Talk with Author in January
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a post about the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club’s book pick for December.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/rm38HHzsz9c” align=”center” title=”Decembe Pick: Haben”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Lit League Disability Book and Movie Club has picked Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law for our December book! I reached out to the author, Haben Girma, and…
Our Inaugural Zoom Chat with Author Jennifer Johannesen!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a video post with the first Book Club Chat, ever.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club picked No Ordinary Boy by Jennifer Johannesen for our October read. We tried out a Zoom meeting for the first time to chat with Jennifer about the book. This was my first Zoom…
Apple Watch & Disability: Accessibility Reviews from Users with Disabilities
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is about the Apple Watch and Disability. There are accessibility reviews and opinions by users with disabilities. You will also find a table that compares the Apple Watch Series 5 with the Series 3. There are affiliate links in this post, which means that if you buy something using a link…
Book Club Pick for October: No Ordinary Boy
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The book club is back, and we’re set to read No Ordinary Boy, by Jennifer Johannesen and discuss it in two ways: Through Zoom (video conferencing, free) on October 20th at 2pm Eastern WITH THE AUTHOR – meeting information and invitation at the end of this post) Through Facebook Group chat on October 23 at…
Book Review of Say Something, by Peter H. Reynolds
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a book review of Say Something, by Peter H. Reynolds. This is a children’s book. There are affiliate links in this post (read more about my disclosure policy here)[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I am always looking for quality books for my children to engage with. In these troubled times, I also look for quality books…
Book Review: “No Ordinary Boy” by Jennifer Johannesen
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-heart”]I am re-publishing this review of No Ordinary boy because it is Owen’s birthday. He would be 21 if he were alive today. In commemorating her son, Jennifer is offering No Ordinary Boy free as a PDF. It is linked at the end of this post.[/vc_message][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] No Ordinary Boy No…
Rae Reviews: You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]Rae Hower reviews the book, You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, by Rachel Lynn Solomon You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone is about twin sisters whose mother has Huntington’s disease. It takes place during their senior year of high school. The…
9 Great Children’s Books About Down Syndrome
This is a post about great children’s books about Down syndrome. The book headings are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you buy something that I link, you pay no more than you usually would but Jeff Bezos gets a little less. Children’s Books About Down Syndrome Stories are a wonderful way to explain Down…
Rae Reviews: Rare is Everywhere, by Deborah Katz
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]Rae Hower reviews the book, Rare is Everywhere, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Rare is Everywhere Rare is Everywhere is a children’s book about unusual animals like blue lobsters, spotless cheetahs and white tigers. The point, according to the book jacket, is to teach children “about diversity and how our differences make…
Rae Reviews: Great Books About Rare Diseases and Disorders
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-exclamation”]This fantastic list of books about rare diseases and disorders that you might be interested in reading was pulled together by Rae Hower. Rae is joining me to coordinate the Disability Book & Movie Club. Get to know her through her bio at the end of this post, and please enjoy this…
The Best Books on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury
Here are some of the best books on understanding traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury symptoms, traumatic brain injury recovery, and just overall traumatic brain injury awareness. They are written from my perspective as being a person who lives with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Most of these books are linked to Amazon, which means if…
My Law of Attraction Project Planner: Review
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a post about My Law of Attraction Project Planner. It is not a sponsored post; I purchased this planner myself and am currently using it.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I love the concepts of the Law of Attraction (read Ask and it is Given for the big scoop). In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction is…
A Review of the Phoenix Journal, a Planner for Personal Transformation
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a post about The Phoenix Journal – the Daily Calendar & Agenda to Achieve Goals, Boost Happiness & Productivity – Gratitude Journal, Habit Tracker, Roadmap . It is not a sponsored post; I purchased this planner myself and am currently using it.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column_text] The Phoenix Journal 12 Week Planner I was originally completely…
7 of the Best Plastic Straw Alternatives for Replacing Plastic Straws
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange”]This is a post about the best plastic straw alternatives. There are affiliate links in this post. Read more in my disclosure.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Replacing Plastic Straws: The Best Plastic Straw Alternatives 2018 was full of debate about plastic straws and what they mean for us in the disability community (read this one by…
The Best Planner for a Blogger
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message style=”round” message_box_color=”orange”]This is a review post of Erin Condren Teacher’s Deluxe Planner, used for blogging purposes. I was given the planner to review, but all opinions are my own. There are affiliate links in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYSUyMHRhcmdldCUzRCUyMl9ibGFuayUyMiUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnNoYXJlYXNhbGUuY29tJTJGci5jZm0lM0ZiJTNEMTIwNDM5MCUyNmFtcCUzQnUlM0Q1NjA3NDglMjZhbXAlM0JtJTNENzEzNjglMjZhbXAlM0J1cmxsaW5rJTNEJTI2YW1wJTNCYWZmdHJhY2slM0QlMjIlM0UlM0NpbWclMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnN0YXRpYy5zaGFyZWFzYWxlLmNvbSUyRmltYWdlJTJGNzEzNjglMkZETVBfbm93X3dpdGhfdGFiczEuanBnJTIyJTIwYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMCUyRiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0U=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a mom, a blogger and as a person with traumatic brain injury (TBI), I am constantly looking out…
El Deafo Summary, Review and Discussion Questions by a Deaf Lady
El Deafo Summary El Deafo is a graphic novel about a young deaf girl. It centers around her deafness and feelings about deafness (and her ginormous hearing aid), with the stories of her friendships, family and school illustrating her points. Now, as a deaf woman, I’ve been recommended El Deafo so much so that a blog…
Best Prime Day Deals with Disability in Mind
Affiliate links are in this post! That means that if you buy something using a link in my post, I’ll get a percentage of the profit from Amazon (thanks Jeff!), but you pay no more. It’s a great way to support the work I do, so thanks! Amazon Prime Day is coming up, a day…
You Know Why “The Shape of Water” is Compelling, Don’t You?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]I am a member of Netflix #DVDNation. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are of course, my own. #ad [/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]14 years ago, I lined up my first movie from Netflix. It was one of my all-time favorite movies. As a kid who grew up on the outside of things, and with scars splayed…
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Deaf Apps
This is a post about the best deaf apps. That is, the most useful, popular and widely-used apps by d/Deaf people. This post is US-focused, and covers only iPhone apps. Best Communication Apps Glide: for texting and talking. P3 Mobile: for texting, talking and relay services. Includes ASL and clear-speech relays. Google Voice: for transcribing…
The Very Best Carriers for a Baby with Down Syndrome
The ultimate guide to the best carriers for a baby with Down syndrome reviews and compares the most popular baby wearing carriers for infants with Down syndrome: the k’tan, ErgoBaby, Moby, Baby Bjorn, lillebaby and more
Target Adaptive Clothing Line – How Is It for People with Down Syndrome?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”success” icon_type=”monosocial” icon_monosocial=”vc-mono vc-mono-star”] This post is about Target adaptive clothing line There are affiliate links in this post, which means that if you buy something using a link from this post, this site will get a small percentage from Target. You won’t pay any more money than if you had used…
Book Review of Good Kings Bad Kings, by Susan Nussbaum
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary of the Story story is about teenagers with disabilities who live in an institution in Chicago, and the people who work there. It’s told in person-first accounts. It follows the lives of the residents and workers for the period of about a year, with backstory. What Was Great Good Kings Bad Kings was…
My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome; Reviewed by Cathleen Small
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Recently, I had the chance to read by Amy Silverman. If you have a child with Down syndrome, you soon realize that there are a lot of mommy blogs about Down syndrome—some of them good and some of them maybe not to your taste—and some of those blogs have spun into books. Many of them…
The Best Stroller for a Child with a Disability
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509370369735{background-color: #75cdde !important;}”]This post on the best stroller for a child with Down syndrome is NOT sponsored but there are affiliate links in it. I’m not writing this post as an ad; I’m writing it because I really do want newer parents to know this is the best rugged, long-term, high-weight-capacity stroller out there.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] The…
Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]This post is a review of the book, Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome.[/vc_message][vc_column_text] Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome I’m going to cut the chase: I love this book. In fact, I think this is a “must-own” for the parent of a child…
“Not Always Happy” Book Review & Giveaway
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the more rampant stereotypes about people with Down syndrome is that they are always happy. Don’t ask why that sticks in the face of a screaming child with Down syndrome – even when someone actually sees my child in a rage, they have been known to comment (with a chuckle) about how “those”…
#ShePersisted: The Disability Edition – a Persistent Book List by Sandy Ho
#ShePersisted: The Disability Edition – a Persistent Book List by Sandy Ho – a complete list of kick-ass books related to persisting.
Behavioral Issues and Down syndrome
Behavioral Issues and Down syndrome Moxie, my daughter who has Down syndrome, has recently had behavioral issues at school. A bit of background: Moxie goes to The Best School Ever. She has a wonderful, caring teacher and Moxie’s aide is a lovely woman whom Moxie has known and trusted for years now – ever since…
Funniest Family Friendly Movies of All Time: 2017 Edition
Movies to pop in and laugh along with your kids at
Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives 10th Edition
The 10th edition of this stellar book has just been released and I am honored to be a part of it.
Top 15 Fiction Books for 2016: Guest Post by Sandy Ho
Guest post by Sandy Ho on her top 15 book picks for 2016, neatly categorized for ‘who should read’ it and which ones have a disability connection
The Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome
“The Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome” is exactly that: a book that is BY parents and FOR parents of individuals with Down syndrome. It is a comprehensive grassroots effort that shares a wealth of experience and diversity about pretty much everything a parent will benefit from knowing.
Book Review & Giveaway: Life With a Superhero
You know how it is when you become friends with the characters in a book? When they have made their way into your heart and mind and you look forward to your time with them every day and you sadly see the remaining pages of their story growing slimmer and wish it weren’t so? That…
Up Syndrome by Megan Abner, a Woman with Down syndrome
I’ve written a bit about how I’d love to have more adults with Down syndrome speaking and writing of their life experience, views on therapy and disability – much like the Autistics do within the Autism Community. I mean, we can sit around and talk about Down syndrome all day long but we’ll never know…
Sun Shine Down by Gillian Marchenko
When Gillian Marchenko asked me to review her memoir, Sun Shine Down, I hesitated. Gillian, you see, is my friend. I like her. I think she’s an awesome person and I have come to an age in which I realize that just because someone is your friend and you like them does not mean that you…
Top 13 Books for Understanding Disability
13 books for understanding disability pride, culture, rights and history
Signing Time!
There is a large sign-language training program in Tucson, Arizona. I know this because in the year that I lived in that town, people would practically pee in their pants when they saw my ginormous hearing aids. They'd start to sign furiously. They refused to talk to me unless I was looking directly at them….
5 Books That are Better than "Bloom" for New Parents of a Child with Down syndrome
You know it and I know it: Kelle Hampton is hugely popular. She writes marvelous fluff on her blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I think she is an adroit blogger, able to weave remarkable bits of fippery in and around drop-dead awesome photos. The result? A top-notch blog. A top-notch and popular blogger does…
Target vs Walmart: Top 10 Differences
I went to Walmart the other day. I needed something in the way of popsicle sticks, I knew they’d be open, and I knew they’d have them. Now, I don’t know if it’s just my local Walmart or if it’s all Walmarts, but the difference between Walmart and Target smacks me broadside every*single*time I walk…
Interview with Jennifer Johnnesen, Author of "No Ordinary Boy" and "Fake Work" + Book Giveaway
Jennifer Johannesen is the the author of the article, "Fake Work" which was re-posted on this blog last week, stimulating much conversation within the Down syndrome community. She is also the author of No Ordinary Boy, the candid and deeply beautiful story of her son's life. I posted my review of No Ordinary Boy here…
Author Interview: Amy Julia Becker
This is the second of a two-part series – a conversation with George Estreich, author of The Shape of the Eye: Down Syndrome, Family, and the Stories We Inherit , and Amy Julia Becker, author of Good and Perfect Gift, A: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny. Amy Julia Becker will be giving…
Bloom, by Kelle Hampton
The content of “Bloom” reviewed as well as the writing
A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker
A review of Amy Julia Becker’s memoir, “A Good and Perfect Gift”
George Estreich Author Interview
This is the first of a two-part series – a conversation with George Estreich, author of The Shape of the Eye: Down Syndrome, Family, and the Stories We Inherit , and Amy Julia Becker, author of Good and Perfect Gift, A: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny. George Estreich will be giving away…
The Shape of The Eye by George Estreich + Guest Reviews by Lisa Morguess and Alison Piepmeier
The Shape of The Eye by George Estreich + Guest Reviews by Lisa Morguess and Alison Piepmeier – With a Little Moxie
Review of Signing Time On Demand
Signing Time has a brand-spanking new feature: Signing Time on Demand. Yes, I am happy about this, and I'll be even happier about it when we leave the US and are entirely dependent on this kind of internet-based feature. They are promoting Signing Time On Demand by hosting an iPad giveaway with downloads –…