Disfigurement: Understanding Visible Difference

Disfigurement: Understanding Visible Difference is a collection of essays which brings together an all-star cast of researchers, clinicians, advocates, and activists around the world, many of whom have lived experience with disfigurement. Seeking to reduce stigma around disfigurement, they explore the experience of looking different including interventions to help with social integration, social media issues, and prejudice towards physical difference. The collection serves as a call for activism and offers a direction for future research.

This book responds to the three themes prevalent in the literature on disfigurement: (1) the psychosocial aspects of body image and identity, (2) interventions, and (3) representations of disfigurement. In section one, the book explores the psychosocial aspects of body image and identity among people with disfigurement. Section two looks at interventions, including those involving social media. In response to this misrepresentation, section three offers the voices of people who are helping to change public opinions through media and activism.

This book is invaluable reading for all clinicians, researchers, activists, people with disfigurement, and those who care about them. Disfigurement: Understanding Visible Difference is a crucial resource for students of disability studies, social work, and health psychology.

Lise Deguire, Phd, is a clinical psychologist, author, and burn survivor. After being severely burned as a four-year-old, she spent much of her childhood in the hospital, undergoing countless surgical procedures. Dr. Deguire is the author of the multiple award-winning book, Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor. Dr. Deguire attended Tufts University, graduating summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Widener University and is in solo practice in New Jersey. Dr. Deguire has appeared on NPR, NBC, ABC, FOX, and Sirius XM. She is a TEDx speaker, a national keynote speaker and has presented for The American Psychological Association, the World Burn Congress, The Security and Exchange Commission, and The American Burn Association. She writes for Psychology Today, and has been featured in Huffington Post, Thrive Global and Tiny Buddha. Dr. Deguire blogs regularly about psychological resilience.

Miriam Jaffe, PhD (English), LSW, is Associate Teaching Professor in the Writing Program at Rutgers University and the lead editor of five collections on social justice issues (Routledge, 2016–2022). Her publications on narrative activism – from narrative medicine in literature to mental health and racial justice awareness in the social sciences – span 15 years. She’s worked as associate editor for the journal Writing and Pedagogy. She recently won Rutgers University’s Beloved Community award. Miriam is also a psychotherapist specializing in trauma using EMDR and play.