Allison writes articles and guest posts at various publications on the topics of disability, chronic illness, pop culture, and faith (sometimes all in one post). She has written for The Mighty, Think Christian, RELEVANT, Christ and Pop Culture, Christianity Today, Faith Today, Love Thy Nerd, and Beneath the Tangles. She has also been interviewed or featured on other blogs or publications.
In Fairy Tales, Goodness Heals Disability | Medium
July 29, 2020—In addition to featuring gruesome deaths or dismemberments, fairy tales often explore questionable themes about beauty, class, and purity. Again and again, they flout that disabilities are healed if you’re “good” and used as a punishment if you’re “bad.”
Q&A with Allison Alexander | Bookshine and Readbows
June 3, 2020—A subject very close to my heart today – as I live with a chronic illness myself! I got the chance to put some questions to Allison Alexander about her book, Super Sick, which deals with the representation of chronic illness and making peace with living with it.
On Representations of Disability in Fiction | Armed with A Book
May 23, 2020—Allison Alexander’s book Super Sick: Making Peace with Chronic Illness opened a whole new world to me in books. It’s like when you suddenly see something clearly that was always there but now is in focus! That is how I felt about characters with disability in fiction ever since reading her book.
Super Sick: Making Peace with Chronic Illness – English alumna Allison Alexander launches first book | News & Releases | CMU
May 11, 2020—Having battled chronic illness all her life, Alexander wants to see herself in her heroes. Her new book Super Sick chronicles her search for sick characters in pop culture, and the personal impact of that quest.
Super Sick: You are a chronic illness super hero | Counting My Spoons
April 27, 2020—When author, Allison Alexander reached out to me about her new book, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Her message mentioned that the book was full of stories (her own and those of others) and that it shared how sick characters should be portrayed in fiction. I didn’t understand what she was going for, but I wanted to. Allison sent me an advance copy of her book to read and as I read, I understood.
My Geeky Faith: God and Geekiness | The Hoot & Howl
April 24, 2020—It’s always fun to stumble across people on the internet who have so many shared interests with you. And, for me, it’s made that much cooler when they live just a couple provinces over (us Canadians got to stick together!)! I’m so exited to have Allison Alexander share some of her geeky story of faith.
Review + Interview: Supersick: Making Peace with Chronic Illness by Allison Alexander | The Paperback Voyager
April 23, 2020—From IT Crowd to My Hero Academia, Allison draws on our love for pop-culture and her relatable humor to write a gripping story that is equal parts artful and incisive.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Jane Foster & Worthlessness | Avalinah's Books
April 22, 2020—In her Thor form, Jane doesn’t have cancer; she is only plagued by the illness when she reverts back to her human body. So why doesn’t she stay in the Thor form all the time, you ask?
Super Sick Blog Tour: Wade Wilson & Shame | Invisibly Me
April 21, 2020—I, too, am ashamed of my illness. I feel like I’m worth less than others, because they can do things that I can’t.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Raoden & Chronic Pain | The Writerly Way
April 20, 2020—Elantrians can’t die, but they also can’t heal. Even the pain of a stubbed toe stays with them forever. As simple cuts and scrapes add up, their pain increases, and eventually they go crazy from it.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Cloud Strife & Depression | The Geeky Gimp
April 19, 2020—Depression is something that many of us with chronic illnesses suffer from, and I appreciate that it isn’t something Cloud can just shrug aside.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Raven Reyes & Pressing On | Armed with a Book
April 18, 2020—Anyone who lives with chronic pain knows the toll it takes on your mind and body. It’s exhausting. It’s frustrating. And when there’s no end in sight, it’s difficult to find hope or purpose in life.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Doctor House & Pain Management | The Paperback Voyager
April 17, 2020—If you’re looking for a character to inspire you with courage, grace, and fortitude, look elsewhere. Doctor House is a sarcastic, crotchety physician who has only two goals in life: solving medical mysteries and getting relief from his own chronic pain.
Super Sick Blog Tour: Laura Roslin & Perseverance | Create Write Now
April 16, 2020—On top of battling for the lives of humanity and the stress of survival, Laura has terminal breast cancer. She has to deal with exhaustion, pain, treatments, side effects, and knowing that she’s fighting for a future that she will not live long enough to see.
All Might and the Importance of Rest | Beneath the Tangles
April 7, 2020—“If you’re not busy, you’re doing something wrong.” That seems to be the mantra of the day, where if I told someone I spent the week at home doing nothing, I’d get funny looks. (At least, I would have before COVID-19.)
Hope and Failure in Jedi: Fallen Order | Think Christian
February 24, 2020—Enjoying the Star Wars video game takes both human persistence and a gospel perspective. Fallen Order is one of those games where you need to fail in order to succeed.
Please Stop Using ‘How Are You?’ as a Casual Greeting | The Mighty
The grocery store clerk casually asks me, “How are you?” as he rings up my items — spoils of war, really, because getting dressed, driving to the store, and picking up what I need for next week’s meals requires a Herculean effort.
Marvel’s Newest Movie Stars a Supervillain With an Illness | The Mighty
January 14, 2020—When I saw the trailer for “Morbius,” Sony’s upcoming film about a doctor turned pseudo-vampire, I wasn’t expecting another blow to people with disabilities and illnesses.
Finding the Gospel in Nerd Culture | Love Thy Nerd
May 28, 2019—Despite what you might have heard in church, echoes of the gospel can found in video games, Dungeons & Dragons, anime, comics, and board games.
Accepting Anxiety, in Celeste and the Psalms | Think Christian
January 28, 2019—The platforming video game Celeste addresses anxiousness with the honesty and wisdom of the psalmist.
Seeking Humility in Star Wars Resistance | Think Christian
November 6, 2018—The new animated series offers a lesson in meekness — for Star Wars fans and Christians alike.
Pop Culture Primer: Video Games | Think Christian
July 26, 2018—An excerpt from our Pop Culture Primer ebook, highlighting notable games, television shows, albums, movies, and graphic novels that resonate with Christianity in interesting ways.
A Way Out, Co-op Games, and Christian Empathy | Think Christian
July 17, 2018—By putting understanding and cooperation at the forefront, A Way Out nudges players into a biblical notion of empathy.
We Can’t All Be Hawkeye: On Choosing Childlessness | Christ and Pop Culture
August 22, 2018—Why do so many outsiders feel the need to correct the childlessness they encounter?
I’m Scared to Walk Alone: The Daily Fear Women Face | Boundless
July 3, 2018—Every time I leave the safety of my car to walk the city streets, I’m afraid. I felt this fear even before a stranger jumped into my car with me.
Romans, James, and Fe | Think Christian
April 24, 2018—Playing Fe, we’re reminded to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
5 Characters Who Chose Peace Over Violence | Boundless
April 10, 2018—Lashing out at those who hurt us is our tendency, and in popular media that often means striking against evil and wielding intellectual prowess, harsh words, technology, physical weapons or even fists against threatening foes.
Experiencing Anxiety for the First Time | Boundless
April 6, 2018—Recognizing anxiety for what it is can be valuable in learning how to deal with it.
Understanding Chronic Illness and Suffering | Boundless
February 27, 2018—If I’m suffering, I want it to have a purpose; if there’s meaning in the pain, won’t that help me through it? Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Or maybe not.
Learning from Failure (and Star Wars) | Boundless
January 2, 2018—Because I’m a perfectionist, I punish myself when I fail. It would be easier to stubbornly move forward without learning or addressing my shortcomings.
A Mortician’s Tale and Denying Death’s Victory | Think Christian
November 27, 2017—It's good to be reminded of the reality of death, so that we can speak to Christ's conquering of it.
Facing Regret, Finding Grace in Pinstripe’s Emotional Hell | Think Christian
October 2, 2017—Regret hangs heavy over this indie game, but forgiveness can also be found.
A Journey of Grief and Anxiety through RiME | Christ and Pop Culture
September 15, 2017—I find the entirety of RiME, even the darkest parts, a cathartic experience.
5 Reformed Villains Demonstrate Change Is Possible | Boundless
September 12, 2017—Saul terrorized Christians despite their cries. I think he'd identify with these fictional characters who did great evil, but discovered change is possible.
Thomas Was Alone and Embracing Your Spiritual Gift | Think Christian
August 24, 2017—God considers us as part of one “body.” Yet as parts, we’re supposed to be different.
Star Wars Forces of Destiny: When Small Acts Mean Great Things | Think Christian
August 14, 2017—The Web series reminds us that every gesture of kindness, respect, and love has weight.
Zombies Among Us: iZombie Chows Down on Dehumanization | Christ and Pop Culture
July 25, 2017—iZombie explores the dangers of dehumanization as Liz learns to humanize others by consuming their brains.
The Value in Friendly, Neighborhood Christians | Boundless
July 18, 2017—Maybe you don’t feel equipped to serve God without some huge purpose. Maybe you feel guilty because you’re not doing enough “good.”
RWBY and Leading with Contagious Joy | Christ and Pop Culture
July 10, 2017—We want to build a sisterhood like RWBY, one that spreads seeds of its joyful community elsewhere or looks for it in others.
Attack on Titan, Overcoming Evil with Mercy | Christ and Pop Culture
July 6, 2017—Season 2 of Attack on Titan is filled with actions that are incredibly hard to empathize with or understand.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Explores the Many Lies We Believe | Christ and Pop Culture
May 30, 2017—In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we see the consequences of denying truth.
The Disabled Sainthood of Speechless | Christ and Pop Culture
May 29, 2017—The show refuses to follow the “inspirationally disadvantaged” cliché found in lots of fiction that features disabled characters.
Seeds of Mercy | Boundless
May 23, 2017—The relationship between "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" sisters Gamora and Nebula is a picture of the value of sowing mercy.
Samurai Jack: Finding Freedom through Forgiveness | Christ and Pop Culture
May 18, 2017—Samurai Jack reminds us of the power of forgiveness and of relinquishing past sins.
When ‘Mass Effect Andromeda’ Bombed, I Had to Rethink Humility | Christianity Today
April 18, 2017—Watching a beloved video game franchise crash and burn challenged my gut reaction to disappointment.
Fiction Matters | Boundless
March 28, 2017—It is in our nature to tell stories and it is in Christ’s nature to speak to us through them.
The Challenges of Chronic Illness and Singleness | Boundless
January 31, 2017—Knowing you are cared about simply for being you, regardless of whatever failures your body is going through, is powerful.
A Gamer’s Guide to Grace | Boundless
January 17, 2017—For some reason, there are certain situations where people think it’s especially OK to point out another’s mistake and criticize them for it.
When the Pain Won’t Stop | Boundless
November 22, 2016—It’s easy to accept that good can come out of suffering—unless you’re the one who’s suffering. It’s much harder to praise God when the pain won’t stop.
Removing the Mask of Loneliness With Majora’s Mask | Christ and Pop Culture
June 22, 2016—The loneliness derived from my own anger and bitterness only lasts for as long as I want it to.
Playing Video Games and Finding Community | Christ and Pop Culture
June 8, 2016—Playing video games develops a sense of skill and community, just like any other sport. It’s time for parents and other adults to recognize this.
There Is No Shortcut in Following Jesus | RELEVANT Magazine
February 3, 2016—Life would be easier if I had cheat codes, if I could just type in some secret words and the magical solutions to my problem would appear.
What the Church Can Learn from ‘Geek Culture’ | RELEVANT Magazine
October 5, 2015—The start of fall marks the end of vacation for some, the finale of warm weather for others; and for people who consider themselves geeks, it’s also the end of convention season.
On Being an Old Hag | Beneath the Tangles
September 14, 2015—For most people, myself included, getting old isn’t something to look forward to.