How Children with Epilepsy Can Find Empowerment Through Stories – An Interview with Joseannie Martinez
Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of sixteen, Joseannie Martinez faced challenges that reshaped her understanding of health, identity, and resilience. What began as a difficult and isolating journey soon evolved into a deep passion for storytelling, self-advocacy, and community support.
Joseannie Martinez, Author, Advocate
What inspired you to create books that empower children with epilepsy to advocate for themselves?
I got inspired by my own experience with epilepsy since I got it so young. I also always wanted to publish a children’s book, so that’s how it came to be. If a child can learn how not to feel alone in their journey, it’ll be the world to them.
How does your personal experience with epilepsy shape the stories you write and the messages you convey?
I used how I felt when I was first diagnosed to bring my books to life. The way my storyline goes for “Lucky Feels Fuzzy” is how I first felt, especially since I was always confused and wanted comfort from my parents. I’m sure this is how most kids would feel when they get diagnosed. They would want their parents there at all times.
What role do you believe inclusive literature plays in creating a more empathetic and understanding society?
I believe the more inclusive the literature is, the more we, as a society, include those who are often excluded. We need more literature that can help others understand what marginalized groups experience. The disabled community still is not understood, no matter how much we advocate and write about our experiences. We can write and hope others will read and try to understand our stories.
What challenges have you faced in your journey as an Afro-Latinx disability rights activist, and how have they influenced your writing?
There have been challenges, such as not receiving acknowledgment within my own community for my books and advocacy. I don’t want to say it’s understandable, but when you’re an Afro-Latinx who's disabled, this happens. There are times I am not feeling well, so I don’t have the energy to do as much advocating as I would like. It’s influencing my writing in a way that I want to write more now and share more about myself.
How do you envision the future of disability representation in children's literature, and what changes do you hope to see?
I see children’s disability representation being discussed much more. People are more health-conscious, and I feel it will start earlier in life. Children’s disabilities will be addressed more since they are very common. I hope that families would not be ashamed to talk about their stories. You never know what beautiful books and storylines can come from them.
Read more from Joseannie Martinez
