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Your messages were both really interesting. Julia, we seem to be doing quite similar things in terms of our research. I sent a message about the social model and long-term illness a few weeks back, seeking advice, and which in part sparked many of the messages that have been going backwards and forwards. I work at the MS Society (of GB and N Ireland) and my role brings me into regular contact with disabled people and organisations that have developed their thinking/work along social model lines. This has led me to undertake a masters level research project, looking into the viability of the MS Society itself using the social model to guide its work. I am aware of the criticisms often levelled at 'traditional charity' and the contradiction that many see in a condition-specific organisation adopting a social model stance. I would be happy to tell you (or others) more about my research plans off list, but want to raise a specific issue in this message. Although I can appreciate how the social model can account for such things as pain and fatigue, the issue of medical intervention in general is something that complicates discussions that I have with people with MS - who in most instances aren't particularly political or don't have an academic/research background. When does medical intervention to treat the symptoms of a condition such as MS, evolve from being a positive input into their lives, enabling them to continue doing whatever they want to do, into the more oppressive 'normalising' entity that is so criticised under the banner of the medical model? For instance, a woman with MS develops spasticity in her legs. Although she can walk, she doesn't like the 'faltering gait' that she has developed and is prepared to try any form of medical intervention that will make her walk 'normally' again. (This is based on a real situation.) Are the treatments that are offered to her oppressive because they try to normalise her outward appearance, or justified because they meet her expressed needs? There are other 'visible' symptoms that I could have used and which for me, are harder to conceptualise than pain or fatigue, because the individuals who experience them are often so desperate for the medical intervention and they relate to the wish to return to an able-bodied 'normality' . Such intervention forms an important part of the lives of many people with MS and as the majority of people develop MS in their 30s and later, they will have internalised an able-bodied view of the world prior to this (unless they had other impairments of course). This leaves the problem of trying to promote the social model with people who often cannot see how their personal concerns and priorities (for intervention, for a cure) are addressed by it. I dare say that I have illustrated quite well the limited nature of my theoretical understanding of these issues. My priority is to develop the use of the social model as a 'tool for change', as you refer to it in your message Richard. I may be missing something very important and would appreciate any guidance that you or others have to offer. Joanna Ridley Joanna Ridley MANAGER OF WELFARE SUPPORT [log in to unmask] 0171 610 7175 Fax: 0171 736 9861 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%