The Social Model Of Disability: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of People With A Spine Injury In The Eastern Caribbean States

This qualitative study investigates the experiences of people living in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The OECS has seen a steady rise in SCI, mainly due to vehicular collisions and gunshot wounds. Despite ongoing global interest in the lived experience of persons with disabilities, little to no research has been done in the OECS to capture the experiences of people with SCI. The phenomenological framework was used to conduct this study, and the following questions guided the research procedures: (a) in what ways do people with SCI experience daily life? (b) what are the most commonly mentioned barriers to inclusion experienced by people with SCI? (c) how are the experiences of newly disabled people with SCI affected by different social backgrounds? and (d) how is this affected by overall care, cost, gender and sexual orientation? Sixteen participants with SCI were engaged in semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation and the in-depth data analysis brought to light several themes: (a) family care and support; (b) being misunderstood; and (c) discrimination. Participants expressed that they were pleased for the opportunity to present their views on their experience while living with SCI and the study suggests they experience varied educational and societal forms of discrimination. The results highlight the importance of care and support for people with SCI and show the need for additional research into the mental impact of people caring for individuals with SCI experiences and the impact on the overall care of the person with SCI. The study offers inimitable perspectives on the experiences of people with SCI and presents opportunities for further research to validate this study.