Playing the Illness and/or Disability Card

In a recent MacLean's article entitled "Leave Anne Alone! An Academic Suggests Canada's Most Beloved Herione Had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," Professor Helen Hoy from Guelph University is questioned for her newest reading of Anne. Though she insists that her reading is merely one possible perspective, I have to say that I tire easily of articles and books that re-read characters as being ill and/or disabled.

In Proust's case, I feel as though the topic of illness is both something his readers ought to notice and think about, as well as something that would perhaps be an obvious theme to explore; and therefore a bit of an easy, go-to option.

However, any topic or reading can be new if creative questions are asked about it. The trouble is, when is playing the illness and/or disability card an academically trendy and thus potentially unoriginal choice, and when is it an earnest and creative pursuit?

-natalie