disability

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 7 by Rei Aruga

57671570._SX318_

(Image Source)

Tsugumi and Itsuki have managed to work well together on the project to make a barrier free house for their friends. Without the pressure of being in a relationship, it seems easier for them to get along. But after the project is complete, an earthquake rocks the city and Itsuki is all alone.

With the earthquake, this series gives the story a chance to show how a disabled person would have to handle a disaster. There are considerations not taken in to account in generic plans, even something as simple as access to a bathroom and space to use the wheelchair in an emergency shelter. I’d never even thought of that. When you think of emergency shelters, they’re packed with people and cots; no space for someone in a chair to maneuver. Romantic drama aside, this series is a great way to expose  more people to what disable people need to exist in the world along side them. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 6, by Rei Aruga

56414689

(Image Source)

After Itsuki turns down the job to make a barrier free home for Keigo and Kaede, Tsugumi heads back to Tokyo to find out why he would do that and hopefully change his mind.

While Istuki and Tsugumi are inevitably going to get back together (c’mon, this isn’t spoilers, they’re on the cover of every volume) they seem to be working well together on this big project. A little too well. Granted, I’m not expecting batshit fireworks and table flipping like a telenovela but with so many conflicting feelings, something’s gotta give. And when it does, it’s gonna feel lazy if it’s too neat and clean. 4.8 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 5, by Rie Aruga

57413038._SX318_

(Image Source)

While Tsumugi is back home helping to take care of her sick father, she meets Kaede and her boyfriend Keigo. They want to get married but Keigo wants to build Kaede a barrier free house, as Kaede is in a wheelchair. Despite their past relationship, Tsumugi connects them with Ikeda who inexplicably turns the job down.

I love how much perspective we get from the disabled characters. It’s so important to see the myriad of reasons why someone could need a wheelchair and how hard it is to know you won’t get better. All the help you’re getting feels hopeless and you want to give up. This series oozes with empathy and care. I highly recommend it. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 4, by Rie Aruga

52251396

(Image Source)

Itsuki feels he can’t be a burden to Tsugumi and breaks up with her, allowing Koreda to swoop in as her support. But Tsugumi can’t seem to catch a break as she must leave Tokyo and go back to her parents due to a medical emergency.

Geez, just throw everything at this poor woman all at once. But, this volume shows how strong she is and Tsugumi keeps moving forward and doing what she needs to do. I think Koreda is being an opportunist no matter how nice he’s being. In my opinion, he should have let Tsugumi process the breakup before immediately taking Itsuki’s place. But, nobody is really terrible in this series. Even Tsugumi’s parents are sympathetic in their own way. I think things are portrayed realistically and that’s important for this subject matter. 4.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 3, by Rie Aruga

52251397

(Image Source)

Tsugumi is recovering from her accident and while her parents come to help take care of her, her parents insist Itsuki is unable to properly care for their daughter and beg him to break up with her.

A mild nitpick here that’s slight spoilers: Nagawa (the aide) who helps Itsuki is a former nurse and we find this out when Itsuki needs a DRF (don’t click if you can’t handle poop) when he ends up in the hospital. She tells the doctors “Yeah, I was a nurse. I can do it.” Can you just do that in a hospital? Just say that and the doctors say “Well, if you say so, go ahead?” Without any proof? I dunno, that made me pause…

Other than that, this volume amps up how disability can put extra pressure on a relationship; the stress, pain, and embarrassment… Especially when you remember being able bodied and needing all this help. I like how this series is handling it. Nothing feels like it’s checking off a box on a list. It reminds me of With the Light. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 2, by Rie Aruga

40021761._SX318_

(Image Source)

Tsugumi has begun to take Itsuki but is keeping it secret due to the stigma and gossip around Itsuki being in a wheelchair. But with the stress of meeting Tsugumi’s parents, Itsuki’s aide Nagasawa, as well as a former classmate who still has feelings for her, Tsugumi is burning the candle at both ends trying to prove she can be a good partner to Itsuki.

Now, we’re getting into the rough parts. I dunno about adding in another set of love rivals as the existing conflict seems like enough for me. There are complications that come with dating someone in a wheelchair; and it’s more than just not finding a ramp and random people who can’t mind their own business. But we’ll see how it goes. They may turn out to be interesting. 4.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 1, by Rie Aruga

49953746._SX318_SY475_

(Image Source)

Tsugumi and Itsuki went to high school together but drifted apart as they grew older. Tsugumi had a crush on Itsuki and is shocked to see him when her company and his have a work party and she still has feelings for him. She is shocked, however, to see is is now in a wheelchair; having suffered a tragic accident that left him a paraplegic.

Not many people know what it’s like to date someone who’s disabled and not many comics (or other media, honestly) address the unique complications that comes with doing so. Plenty of media have background characters but this puts one front and center with all the cards on the table.

Tsugumi is almost too perfect. I hope she goes through the full range of emotions rather than stick with being a go lucky saint the entire time. I do like how Itsuki isn’t a biter, angry character trope or an overcompensatingly happy person to “compensate” for being in a wheelchair. He’s got issues but he’s a realistic character and I look forward to watching their progress. 4.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Rise Again” by L.J. Hamlin

35669371
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Arkady is a rising star, the bad boy of ballet until a freak accident destroys his leg; ending his career. His physical therapist, Prisha, recommends he befriend Cade, an artist with a handicapped arm. Their attraction quickly becomes more than friendship but the freak accident wasn’t an accident at all and whoever tried to kill Arkady hasn’t given up.

When I read the description from the book, I did not expect a killer. I expected Arkady’s struggles to recover from his injuries and face his vastly altered life. Even so, that struggle is there and given its short length, perhaps going with a killer as the main plot was a good idea.

That being said, I liked main leads who aren’t perfect, chiseled gods among men and they have real human flaws and scars. They are normal people just different. Their relationship is still instalove but that’s alright. They work even if Cade is a little too chill with someone trying to kill his new boyfriend. A quick fun read. 3.8 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.