Likewise, I am doing research on the social model and how it is applicable
in the British church. I have had severe rheumatoid arthritis for 28 years
and am a wheelchair user. In the background constantly in my life are the
day-to-day problems of coping with pain and all the collateral difficulties
that physical pain brings. I have no sociology training and so am not clear
about how the social model copes with things like pain and physical stress.
Surely it does not totally discount benefits from the use of medical
intervention where that medical intervention is not seen as bringing a
person up to a socially defined standard of 'normalisation'? If this is so
is it then the motivation for medical intervention that is important?
Any replies would be appreciated.
Jamie Wilson
----- Original Message -----
From: Joanna Ridley <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 11:57 AM
Subject: The Social Model and Long-term Illness
> I am undertaking a masters level research project, looking into the
> viability of the MS Society (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
> explicitly using the social model of disability to guide its work. I am a
> staff member within the MS Society's HQ and although I am not disabled
> myself, I am trying hard to include people with MS, carers, disabled
people
> not connected to the MS Society and people within the 'disability
movement'
> in the guiding of the research as it progresses.
>
> One particular issue that I am grappling with is the application of the
> social model to long-term medical conditions. In my discussions with
people
> with MS so far, quite a number say that they find it hard to relate to the
> social model because it does not address the impact of the impairment upon
> their lives. Pain, fatigue, spasm, speech and sight difficulties all
affect
> people with MS to varying extents. Whilst the social model can be applied
> to these aspects of MS, I haven't seen anything so far that relates the
> personal experience to the social model. I am sure there must be
something
> out there.
>
> If you can help me or point me in the right direction, I would love to
hear
> from you.
>
> Joanna Ridley
>
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