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Impact Of Spinal Cord Injury On The Life Roles Of Women., M Claire Quigley

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This qualitative study was conducted to explore and describe the role experience of five women whose lives were disrupted by a traumatic spinal cord injury and who later returned to their communities after completing intensive rehabilitation programs. In-depth interviews and participant observations were used to examine the experiences of these women. The findings exemplify how the women's use of adaptation and negotiation and the development of a new role as self-advocate facilitated the reestablishment of their life roles. As the women's occupational roles were redefined, the processes of adaptation and negotiation were evident in three aspects of their lives: daily …