On Being A Cripple is written by a woman with Multiple Sclerosis named Nancy Mairs. The essay is designed to explain why she accepts her disease and achieves this through the interesting structure of her piece and her use of anecdotes to establish ethos.
Mairs begins writing by explaining while she calls herself cripple rather than a term like handicapped or disabled. This choice opens up her idea of what it means to be crippled. She is inviting the reader into a world that potentially lacks political correctness and grabs their attention with a view that counters the norm.
Mairs continues to explain how lucky she is. She feels that despite having MS bestowed upon her she has family and laughter and work that helps make her life happy. This anecdotal aspect fo her essay brings the reader into her life. She doesn't just say she is happy, but gives proof as to what is good in her life. This establishes ethos as it is easier to trust someone when what they say is supported and is placed well structurally in the piece as it develops her persona as a writer as someone amicable and open.
Following her happiness Mairs flawlessly introduces the one true hardship she fears, that everyone is faking around her. She doesn't want to be pitied and feels a need to please those around her to make up for the fact that she depends on them. This comes after the reader may support her as she has been strong in her efforts in life. By waiting to introduce her fear, Mairs establishes a connection with her audience before asking them to identify with her. She also makes it easier for the reader to connect with her by explaining how she cannot connect with the women in magazine. No cripples are in the magazines. However, many women feel distant from the image they are meant to fulfil and relate to Mairs.
The essay is concluded with Mairs' view on being a cripple. Before truly fleshing out what she initially started with, she is able to connect to her audience and likely have a better reaction to what she thinks.
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