A Sociological Approach to Acquired Brain Injury and Identity by Jonathan Harvey

Author:Jonathan Harvey [Harvey, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Social Work, People With Disabilities
ISBN: 9781317186694
Google: FOI2DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2017-09-22T04:37:07+00:00

For some, the ubiquitous nature of power means that it ‘circulates’ (Sullivan 2005: 27) and is used in a diffuse and not merely a repressive way in medical institutions such as neurological rehabilitation units (Tremain 2005). However, for Leonard Davis (2010) too, viewing disability through a Foucauldian lens is problematic. For Davis (2010) the creation of an inflexible binary opposition between complete power and complete subjection is ‘overtly sadomasochistic’ (Davis 2010: 314).

Certainly in my study of the lives of ABI survivors power seemed to be an important concept and one that was experienced throughout rehabilitation. Notably, one topic which reoccurred during the interviews was the participants’ recollection of the members of staff within the hospital or rehabilitation unit. If analyses of the way power is used in a situation is most effectively explored by studying ‘the tactics of domination’ (Foucault 1980: 98), then that would seem to suggest that paying close attention to the way ABI survivors consider staff within an ABI rehabilitation unit would be most useful in an exploration of the use of power within such an environment. Karl talked about a rehabilitation professional he was particularly fond of:

I remember one lady in particular. She was just a normal lady, bit like your grandma, lovely lady and there was no judgement there. There was no – she would ask you if you were okay and she just kept an eye on you and she was fine, there was no restrictions there, she was good as gold.

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