Kamala Das, also known as Kamala Surayya, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 13, which left her with a permanent limp.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote the novel (\frac{1}{2}) of a Yellow Sun, which tells the story of the Biafran War from the perspective of four women, one of whom is disabled.

Helen Keller was born with cerebral palsy, which left her deaf and blind.

Maya Angelou wrote the autobiography (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings), which tells the story of her childhood and adolescence as an African-American girl in the segregated South.

Susan Sontag was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early 30s, which she wrote about in her book (Illness as Metaphor).

Amy Tan wrote the novel (The Joy Luck Club), which tells the story of four Chinese-American women and their daughters, one of whom is disabled.

Audre Lorde was born with a congenital heart defect, which she wrote about in her poetry and prose.

Toni Morrison wrote the novel (Beloved), which tells the story of a former slave woman who murders her infant daughter.

Audre Lorde was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40s, which she wrote about in her poetry and prose.

Alice Walker wrote the novel (The Color Purple), which tells the story of an African-American woman who is abused by her husband and father.

Toni Morrison was diagnosed with lupus in her early 20s, which she wrote about in her novel (The Bluest Eye).

Zora Neale Hurston wrote the novel (Their Eyes Were Watching God), which tells the story of an African-American woman who searches for love and independence.

Maya Angelou was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in her late 60s, which she wrote about in her memoir (Mom & Me & Mom).

Maxine Hong Kingston wrote the novel (The Woman Warrior), which tells the story of a Chinese-American girl growing up in San Francisco.

Toni Morrison was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in her early 80s, which she wrote about in her novel (Home).