Reclaiming the whole: Self, spirit, and society

Abstract

Science, bureaucracy and organized religion have played an important role in shaping the construction of disability--as the broken, incomplete and imperfect self, as the case requiring management, and as the object of pity and charity. This paper looks critically at the way in which concepts such as the medical model of disability and the evolving genetic model of disability have shaped the way in which we construct disability and, consequently, the way in which we treat people with disability--through isolation, segregation and elimination. These constructions of disability also operate to define and confine the spiritual journey of people with disability. The author argues for a more integrated conception of self, based not upon an empirical, mechanized and bureaucratic world-view, but upon an integrated, interdependent and holistic view of self and society.

A comparative study of children's attitudes towards deaf children, children in wheelchairs and blind children in Greece and in the UK

“…Certainly there is a need for ongoing research to enlighten the complex phenomenon of children's attitudes (Ladd and Coleman, 1997). Further studies need to explore the role of ethnic and cultural characteristics in children's attitudes, providing also more information regarding the in uence of the sociocultural background, which has been found to affect people's attitudes towards those with special needs (Fitzgerald, 1996;Wright, 1983).…”

The role of the spiritual dimension of the self as the prime determinant of health

“…All dimensions of self are perceived as affecting one another but, as the other dimensions of the self function, they either promote or impede growth of the spiritual core of the self. For many in our individualistic society, this core may be relatively inactive and unacknowledged and therefore access to greater self-understanding is prevented [3,16]. In such a case the universal human need for constancy and continuity of self is met by a focus on the objective rather than the spiritual self [13].…”

“…Perception of such loss or violation can be triggered by a bodily, relational or psychological impairment. The degree of observable impairment is therefore only a partial indicator of the level of perceived violation or loss causing diminished well-being [3,4]. Therefore, interventions that repair, compensate or stabilise observable impairment deal only partially with the sense of loss or violation of self that is affecting the health those interventions aim to restore.…”

A pilot study of the comparative effectiveness of two water-based treatments for fibromyalgia syndrome: Watsu and Aix massage

“…Holistic treatments propose that a dominant determinant of illness is the individual's loss of perception and experience of wholeness (Fitzgerald, 1997). The state of the spiritual component of self is cited as the critical factor determining the overall health status of the individual (Baldacchino, 2001;De Rozario, 1997;Matthews, 2000).…”