Posted 1/30/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
I am wondering what communities/literatures/resources are out there for activists and socially progressive types who situate their own medical conditions (say, chronic pain from autoimmunity, as in my case) within a larger socio-political context. I've been an activist for years before MS gave me crippling, chronic pain that prevented me from my previous community organizing efforts.
Social justice and chronic pain intersect in various ways, such as in:
- the disproportionate numbers of the poor/working class who are affected by chronic pain
- the disproportionate effects of chronic pain on people of color (blacks, indigenous Americans, Latinos, etc.)
- the unequal access to proper or efficient health care and services for the socially marginalized
I wonder if anyone else out there is also interested in trying to understand the political causes and consequences of differential access to resources, as well as the unjust social conditions that give rise to disproportionate levels of pain among socially marginalized groups. I'm hoping to find both community among people who are have similar experiences and ideologies, as well as a movement (however small) to curb autoimmune-related pain and distress.
I write about my experiences in my blog, my last post relating to the concept of 'acceptance' (http://decolonizechris.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/an-activists-struggle-with-acceptance/).
If anyone has an interest in engaging further in this topic, or has resources to share, please use this thread to build fruitful dialogue!
In peace & solidarity,
krys