Growth and adversity in disability sport following spinal cord injury

Book chapter


Brighton, J. 2020. Growth and adversity in disability sport following spinal cord injury. in: Wadey, R., Day M. and Howells, K. (ed.) Growth Following Adversity in Sport: A Mechanism to Positive Change London Routledge, Taylor and Francis. pp. 174-188
AuthorsBrighton, J.
EditorsWadey, R., Day M. and Howells, K.
Abstract

Within this chapter a structural narrative analysis (Riessman, 2008) is provided to help explore the multiple storylines that four disabled athletes (M+3; F=1) with acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) drew upon in experiencing posttraumatic growth (PTG). Frank’s (1995) ideal narrative types in response to illness (chaos, restitution, and quest) were central in revealing the complex dynamics through which individuals constructed body-selves as disabled athletes. Through analyzing experiences of: i) trauma and disablement; ii) rehabilitation; iii) commencing disability sport; iv) constructing disabled athletic identity; and v) embodying the ‘supercrip’ the dominant emplotments available in disability sport are illuminated as enabling and/or constraining in experiencing PTG. Although the repertoire of dominant narratives in disability sport risk reproducing narrowly defined reconstructions of self and experiences of PTG, over time, empathy, altruism and activism and more fulfilling experiences of PTG may be demonstrated. Future directions for exploring experiences of PTG amongst disabled athletes are discussed.

KeywordsSpinal cord injury; Trauma; Post-traumatic growth; Sport; Narrative
Page range174-188
Year2020
Book titleGrowth Following Adversity in Sport: A Mechanism to Positive Change
PublisherRoutledge, Taylor and Francis
Output statusPublished
Place of publicationLondon
ISBN 978-0-367-22380-9
Publication dates
Print29 Jul 2020
Publication process dates
Deposited12 Sep 2024
Related URLhttps://www.routledge.com/Growth-Following-Adversity-in-Sport-A-Mechanism-to-Positive-Change/Wadey-Day-Howells/p/book/9780367223816#:~:text=Description-,Growth%20Following%20Adversity%20in%20Sport%3A%20A%20Mechanism%20to%20Positive%20Change,e.g.%2C%20organizational%2C%20cultural).
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