Hi
I wondered if any one was aware of literature exploring how degrees of
impairment impact on disabled women's (or even men's) experiences of
disability (socially constructed). During interviews, I have found that
levels of impairment seriously impact on disabled women's experiences of dv,
with regard to intensified vulnerability to abuse in relation to difficulties
in protection, negative social reaction to certain degrees of impairment
(Carole Thomas' work will be useful here), and how levels of spatial
communication impact on power differences (e.g. power differences between
wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users, between those who stand and those
who sit/lie).
This issue has been raised by many of my participants - warning me to stay
out of a wheelchair - I walk (stumble) with two sticks. I do realise that
many participants may have internalised the ideology of the able-bodied ideal
and the notion that the further a person deviates from the able-bodied ideal,
the less 'attractive' and valid they may be perceived. However, one cannot
dismiss participants' definitions of situations - particularly as these have
influenced their experiences of disability and gender - Many of these
participants' conditions have changed over time, and have encountered
increased hostility as their impairment become more apparent to both disabled
and non-disabled society.
I'm aware that Shakespeare has talked about the existence of a hierarchy of
impairments within institutions - however, is there any one else who has
explored this? I'm also aware of French and Crow's standpoint work. I realise
this is a difficult issue for us as disabled people to engage in, but I'd
rather we explored it than non-disabled academics. Moreover, as Abberley
has pointed out in the past - impairment is the substratum upon which our
disability is erected - surely it is important, therefore, to acknowledge
that there are differences in impairment as these will influence our general
disability experiences (with regard to social reaction to, and experience of
varying degrees of impairment).
If any one has any ideas I would be grateful ...
Thanks
Pauline Magowan
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