Anthropologist on Mars Preface

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Anthropologist on Mars Preface An Anthropologist on Mars is a book of seven paradoxical tales written by renowned author Oliver Sacks. In the preface of this book, Oliver Sacks claimed that his study of neurogenic disabilities effecting people led him to question the traditional perception and definition of disability. This statement can be interpreted more broadly as meaning that life may have disadvantageous aspects with upsides. From experience, I can relate and understand what Oliver Sacks meant with this statement. In the preface, Oliver Sacks writes about his right shoulder injury and how he adapted to his situation. He states “with each passing day, I am adapting, learning, all the while- not merely this left-handed writing, but a dozen other left-handed skills as well” referring to him developing the skills of his less dominant hand while dealing with the injury of his dominant hand. Included is his preface, Oliver writes about how neurologically disabled people can naturally develop adaptation skills and supports this statement by including statements and studies made by other professionals. For example, he writes about how A.R. Luria studied children’s adaptation of suffering brain injuries or strokes. Also, Oliver Sacks includes statements by Freeman Dyson who believed “defects, disorders, diseases, in this sense, can play a paradoxical role, by bringing out latent powers, developments, evolutions…” referring to how disadvantages of neurological injuries can bring natural developments or evolutions of people. At the age of twelve, I had fractured my toe which devastated me. A passion of mine has been dancing since a child and this accident involving my toe prevented me from enjoying my hobby. However, as silly it may sound, I learned to become more appreciative of health when my toe was fine. I did not let this injury hold me back and I danced

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