I'm enrolled in a course this semester called "Disability and Culture." In this class we are looking at representations of disability in film, art, writing, etc. A major take-away from our first lecture was that representations of disability are inherently value-laden. This means that every single time a character or piece of art presents with a disability, there … Continue reading Examining Representations of Diabetes
On Saying Yes: Another MasterLab Reflection
Have you ever been witness to something unjust - someone being teased or treated unfairly? Chances are you have. Chances are also high that upon witnessing such an event, you have felt a specific kind of deep-seeded urge to somehow restore that balance and justice. However, if you are anything like me, that urge is … Continue reading On Saying Yes: Another MasterLab Reflection
Pre-Conference Excitement: MasterLab Edition
Diabetes advocates are my favorite people and I get to see many of them in just a few days. Suffice it to say I'm a little more than giddy. I'm practically bouncing out my chair right now as conversations in the Facebook group turn to packing tips and roommate assignments. So what is bringing all of … Continue reading Pre-Conference Excitement: MasterLab Edition
What is the Story We Tell?
The following post was inspired by the twitter chat #dsma on June 1st. Diabetes Social Media Advocacy is a great organization in the diabetes online community that connects people with diabetes to the support they need via social media in many ways. The twitter chat using #dsma is one such method. With that said, this post is … Continue reading What is the Story We Tell?
Diabetes Blog Week: Illness Imagined
Well, it is day four of Diabetes Blog Week and the topic today is about our experiences with healthcare. In this post, I shift the focus a bit to an ideological issue I see as pervasive in the medical community. It has to do with imagined hardship. Last year, while working as a bartender, a … Continue reading Diabetes Blog Week: Illness Imagined
Diabetes Blog Week: Tuesday Take-Away
Welcome to Day 2 of Diabetes Blog Week. The topic revolves around the mental and emotional aspects of living with diabetes and what each of us bloggers does to cope with the stresses diabetes brings. The coping mechanism that suits me best as I move through the trials of diabetes is curiosity. Becoming a researcher … Continue reading Diabetes Blog Week: Tuesday Take-Away
Diabetes Blog Week: Message Monday
I am beyond thrilled to have started The Chronic Scholar blog in time for the Seventh Annual Diabetes Blog week! Karen over at Bitter-Sweet Diabetes is such a gem in our community and I am so thankful for her work here. Today's topic was my suggestion. I wrote this suggestion under the impression that our … Continue reading Diabetes Blog Week: Message Monday
UnitedHealthcare Policy Change: A Systemic Issue
Earlier this month, UnitedHealthcare announced a policy change that impacts people with diabetes of all types. As established by a new partnership with Medtronic, UnitedHealthcare has dedicated a "preferred Durable Medical Equipment provider" through which to cover. DiaTribe's article explains the impact of this new policy on patients: "If you are currently on a non-Medtronic … Continue reading UnitedHealthcare Policy Change: A Systemic Issue
The Ideology of Ability
Tobin Siebers was a disability scholar. His book, Disability Theory discusses various disability discourses. Discourse, in the ivory tower (academia), does not necessarily mean conversation, though we can argue that through conversation discourse is created. Rather, discourse in the ivory tower means the establishment of knowledge. Who creates and maintains discourse contributes to who has and … Continue reading The Ideology of Ability
The Chronic Scholar 