Paradigm Shift in Life Narratives: From Resilience to Disability Activism in Firdaus Kanga’s Trying to Grow and Amandeep Sandhu’s Sepia Leaves

The evolving landscape of life narratives has witnessed a significant paradigm shift—from traditional portrayals of individual resilience against adversity to a more politically charged discourse of disability activism. This paper examines this transition by analysing Firdaus Kanga’s Trying to Grow and Amandeep Sandhu’s Sepia Leaves. Both narratives, while grounded in personal experiences of disability and mental health, transcend mere stories of survival. They actively challenge societal perceptions, question normative standards of ability, and advocate for systemic change. Kanga’s Trying to Grow is a semi-autobiographical account that initially frames disability through the lens of resilience and personal wit but increasingly foregrounds the protagonist's demand for social acceptance and agency. Similarly, Sandhu’s Sepia Leaves moves beyond the silent endurance of living with a mentally ill parent to critique the societal indifference and stigmatization surrounding mental health. In both texts, personal narrative becomes a tool of activism, refusing to relegate disability to the margins of tragedy or inspiration. This paper argues that such narratives signal a broader cultural transformation wherein disability is not simply an individual burden but a site of collective political engagement. By emphasizing autonomy, dignity, and rights, Kanga and Sandhu reshape traditional life-writing conventions, contributing to the emerging genre of disability life narratives that advocate for inclusion, empathy, and justice. Their works highlight the importance of moving away from the 'overcoming' trope towards narratives that affirm the value of disabled lives as inherently complete and worthy.