Marsha Saxton

“Bring My Scooter So I Can Leave You” A Study of Disabled Women Handling Abuse by Personal Assistance Providers

This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of women with physical and cognitive disabilities related to abuse by formal and informal personal assistance providers. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 72 women to explore how women define personal assistance abuse, the barriers they face in handling abuse, and strategies they recommend to prevent and/or stop abuse. Key themes that emerged included (a) the role of social and personal boundary confusion and power dynamics within the personal assistance services relationship; (b) expanded forms of abuse experienced by women with disabilities; (c) the complexity of using family and friends as providers; (d) personal, social, and systemic barriers that impede womens response to abuse; and (e) the benefits of supports that validate womens experiences and bolster their capacities to prevent and manage abuse. Findings suggested that, with experience, support, and appropriate resources, women with disabilities can effectively manage this challenge.

Caring for Aunt Alice

This personal narrative explores the thoughts and emotions of a disability advocate as she becomes initiated into the charged arena of aging, care giving, and dying. She is assisting her increasingly disabled elder aunt through her end-of-life years. Both must grapple with many complex social and emotional issues: denial of disability, combativeness in reaction to dependence and loss of control, and the specters of assisted suicide and nursing home placement. They face the painful realization that even deep affection, family history, progressive politics, and extensive disability community resources do not necessarily ease the situation.

Hard bodies: exploring historical and cultural factors in disabled people’s participation in exercise; applying critical disability theory

Abstract The popularity of the Paralympics co-exists with persistent exclusion of disabled youth and adults in community sport and recreation programmes around the world. This study explored the experiences of disabled people in sport, fitness and dance, drawing upon a range of participants’ perspectives from Paralympic athletes and professional dancers, to those who’d never engaged in physical activities. We asked participants about the range of psycho-social factors that intervene between a disabled person and a workable, enjoyable fitness regimen. Insights emerged into factors that encourage enjoyable physical movement for some, and factors that discourage or prohibit this for others. Analytic tools of Critical Disability Theory were applied to penetrate stereotyped conceptualizations of disabled people, taking a long view into the history of disability discrimination and exclusion. An example is the concept and (English) word, ‘fitness’ used during the Eugenics Movement to dismiss the worth of disabled people. Along with other marginalized populations, the ‘unfit’ were systematically targeted with elimination. We addressed these archaic attitudes, in concert with the present era’s intrusions of architectural, programmatic and attitudinal barriers, which may become internalized as resistance to physical activities. Participants offered strategies to support others in the world of movement, along with encouragement to Disability Studies scholars to expand research in this arena.

Tough Guys: Facing Violence Against Men with Disabilities

Little attention has been given to the experiences of abuse by men with disabilities. A few qualitative and quantitative studies are revealing much higher than anticipated rates of abuse for this population. This piece will investigate key issues for disabled men in a range of forms of abuse, such as physical, verbal, and financial, which can occur in relationships with intimate partners, family members, and service providers. The unique life experiences of men who depend upon personal assistance must be considered in understanding the spectrum of abuse. Exploration of strategies for intervention and prevention will assist professionals and community services in reducing this abuse. Recommendations for policy and further research are offered.