Tag: intersectionality

Crip Camp

“Crip Camp” is a Netflix documentary produced by Barack and Michelle Obama that traces the origins of the US Disability rights movement to a summer camp for disabled youth called Camp Jened. The film showcases the strong bonds formed at this unique camp that provided a place for self-discovery, authenticity, mutual support, and connection for disabled teens living in a predominantly able-bodied world. The film then follows a group of camp alumni who went on to become advocates for disability rights, putting political pressure on both state and federal authorities. Their tireless efforts eventually led to the passage of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Camper and staff member’s personal narratives are woven throughout the film, personalizing disability in a way that calls viewers to question stereotypes about disabled people, thus functioning as a tool for education and advocacy in and of itself. These stories, often heartfelt and humorous, touch on everything from personal relationships, sex lives, employment, and hierarchy within the disabled community itself. The documentary runs for 1 hour and 42 minutes and combines footage from the camp’s heyday in the 70s with present-day interviews with the attendees.

This film could be relevant to classes on healthcare, disability studies, public health, or social justice to facilitate discussion about physical disabilities, advocacy and activism, healthcare policy, or intersectionality. The film could raise questions about the role personal narratives play in shaping public perceptions of disability and health, who counts as “all” when we think about “access for all,” and what patient-centered care can actually look like, as exemplified by the individuals at Camp Jened.

Access Intimacy, Interdependence and Disability Justice

Text of Mia Mingus presenting at the 2017 Paul K. Longmore Lecture on Disability Studies at San Francisco State University, with a link to the video, posted to YouTube. Mingus is a queer physically disabled Korean transracial and transnational adoptee, who is a writer and educator of disability justice. The lecture focuses on disability scholarship with personal stories woven throughout used as persuasive appeal. She stresses that disabled people, including disabled queer individuals of color, are often overlooked in social justice movements and communities, and emphasizes the importance of including their experiences and stories. The main focus of this talk is the idea of “access intimacy,” which is a term she coined that refers to a deep, often unspoken connection between individuals who understand and accommodate each other’s access needs, in the context of disability. It’s the feeling of comfort and understanding when someone “gets” your access needs, making it easier for disabled people to navigate their daily lives. Access intimacy can exist with other disabled people, family members, or complete strangers, and can be as small as a knowing look and intangible as a feeling of familiarity. Nevertheless, Mingus describes how access intimacy is a powerful tool for liberation and a way to reframe the understanding of disability. Mingus argues that access should be used to challenge ableism and able-bodied supremacy and encourages shifting the responsibility for access from individual to collective responsibility.

This talk could be used to bring up discussions about disability and ableism, disability justice, interdependence, cultural competence and intersectionality, and patient-centered care.

A Body, Undone: Living on After Great Pain

“A Body, Undone” is a memoir by Christina Crosby, an English professor chronicling her life after a paralyzing cycling accident in 2003. A respected English professor at Wesleyan University, Crosby explores the physical and emotional pain of her disability through a critical feminist and queer thinking lens. She puts into words the experience of life in a broken body that seems beyond the reach of language and understanding, discussing how we construct a livable life in the midst of unimaginable pain. She situates her personal narrative within the broader social critiques of care labor and the financial burden of disability and injury within the current economic systems and structures in the US. The novel would be relevant to disability studies and feminist theory, but its prose that is rooted in humanity and the events of daily life function to make it accessible to a general audience . This book is a patient narrative that challenges the dominant discourse of disability, and could be relevant to discussions about disability, pain, and care and its intersections with gender, sexuality, and class.

Power With Anthology: Storytelling for Social Justice

From the website:

“POWER WITH is a collection of multimedia stories that uplift the lived experiences and perspectives of community members, patients, and health care workers and trainees. Specifically, POWER WITH spotlights how our experiences with oppressive (or “power over”) structures impact us individually, while also demonstrating that we are all connected through a greater shared human project. These stories inspire us to imagine what a system that embraces relationships and collective change (or “power with”) could look like.”

As of 10/25/23, some of the examples from the website were as follows:

1. “Ariah Tesema, a pre-med student, shares her journey of pursuing a career in medicine and embracing her multicultural identity. This begins with immigrating from Ethiopia to the United States as a young child and discovering that her multicultural life does not fit neatly into the boxes American society tries to place her in.”

2. “Andrea Morgan, a doctoral student at OHSU, shares her experience moving to Portland from Southern California and her dream to share her love of science with children who come from similar backgrounds.In addition to her studies, Andrea is leading a Racial Equity & Inclusion grant called Black Like Me 360, a project that allows viewers to see and hear in a first-person experience the day-to-day lives of Black Portlanders on campus and in the city in an art installation.”

3. “As a college student, Toren Ikea-Mario helped his father through a difficult cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the process, he realized that the healthcare system was broken, especially for people like his father, and was determined to be a part of the solution.”

Josh’s Own Story – Living with HIV

This health narrative comes from a personal Blog entitled I’m Still Josh. Josh Recounts his journey from testing negative for HIV in November 2011 to being diagnosed with HIV-1 in January 2012. Despite the initial shock and fear, he remained resilient and committed to raising awareness about HIV, challenging laws in Tennessee and stereotypes associated with HIV. Josh highlights that HIV is not a punishment and that individuals living with HIV are not “dirty.” The author discusses the importance of informing sexual partners due to legal obligations but expresses a positive attitude, asserting their undetectable status and the ability to maintain a fulfilling life, including engaging in sexual relationships.

In a health narratives class, this story could be utilized to explore the emotional and social aspects of living with HIV. It provides insight into the personal challenges, societal stigmas, and legal implications associated with HIV. The narrative encourages discussions on the intersection of health, law, and personal identity, as well as the importance of destigmatizing HIV and promoting awareness. Josh’s narrative could serve as a platform for discussions on public health policies, the impact of legal frameworks on individuals with HIV, and the role of storytelling in health advocacy.

My Abortion is Not a Sad Story

Ebony Wiggins shares her personal experience of having an abortion at 22. She provides insights into the circumstances, decision-making process, and emotional aspects surrounding the event. Growing up in a politically aware household, the narrator emphasizes the importance of choice, destigmatizing abortion through storytelling. The narrative discusses the impact of restrictive abortion laws, particularly on women of color. This narrative can prompt discussions on individual autonomy and the influence of societal and political factors on reproductive health care. Wiggins’ story also shows the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding reproductive health issues. It serves as a case study for examining the intersectionality of reproductive rights and the potential impact of legislation on different demographic groups.