Co-Constructed Auto/Biographies in Dwarfism Mothering Research: Imagining Opportunities for Social Justice

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

In this chapter, I reflect on my experiences as an average statured mother to a child with dwarfism, researching within the community. The notion of justice is intrinsically tied into our social constructions of humanity and what it means to be human. As a researcher, I question whether dwarfism could ever be separated from the exploitative historical and cultural portrayals which have plagued and blighted our fight for social justice both inside and outside of the community. In this chapter, I explore intrusive interactions with ‘outsiders’ which reinforce my fears that the Dwarf body is seen as problematic and in need of ‘normalisation’. This chapter is therefore an auto/biographical reflection of my blurred identities as a mother/researcher and my personal pursuit of social justice.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Palgrave MacMillan Handbook of Auto/Biography
EditorsJulie Parsons, Anne Chappell
Place of PublicationHoundmills
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter10
Pages633-656
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-31974-8
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-31973-1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Apr 2020

Keywords

  • Dwarfism
  • Mothering
  • Disabled identities
  • Achondroplasia
  • BioMarin
  • Drug trials

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Co-Constructed Auto/Biographies in Dwarfism Mothering Research: Imagining Opportunities for Social Justice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this