The Activation of an Activist The Activation of an Activist Crystal Arnold +, MSc Candidate, Gerald Landry #, & Lynn Shaw +, PhD. + Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Science - Occupational Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada # Canadian Injured Workers Alliance, Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Group Societal Implications Acknowledgement: Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company References 1.Shaw, L. & Hunsberger, J. (2007). Aging with disability: Strategies for managing occupational transition. 2.Hunsberger, J. & Shaw, L. (2007) Examining Occupational Transitions for Persons Aging with and without Disabilities. Conference Proceedings, Society for the Study of Occupation Conference Albuquerque, New Mexico. More knowledge is needed to help us engage injured workers as full participants in the research process. Information is needed to guide researchers in using partnering approaches with IWs that address system barriers in return-to- work and return-to-function. Education and Training is needed to broaden the understanding of this invisible injury for employers, policy makers, and the general public. Increase in accessibility through odour and scent- free places is needed for people with toxic chemical fume exposure to improve their daily functioning in society. Change in policy with respect to building codes, occupational health & safety, workplace environment standards, and risk management to develop chemical or toxic-free structures in the build environment. Background Study Design: A collaborative participatory approach was used to explore the use of metaphors to support Injured Workers in sharing their lived experiences in negotiating occupational transitions Data Collection Strategies: A group process comprised of a researcher, student and Injured Worker was used. A series of phone conversations and post-conversation reflections on metaphors via followed. Data Analysis: Adapted Shaw & Hunsberger’s (2006) approach of open and reflective dialogue drawing upon metaphors to capture lived experience and analyze the data together. Research Findings: Identified 3 transitions of an Injured Worker with toxic chemical fume exposure. Findings reported here focus on metaphors that best describe the latter 2 transitions 1. Worker ➟ Injured Worker 2. Injured Worker ➟ Injured Worker Functioning in Everyday Life 3. Injured Worker Functioning in Everyday Life ➟ Activist Develops understanding of occupational transitions and disruptions for this populations, as metaphors allow injured workers to share their “voice” and perspective Interacting together allowed for co-construction of a shared graphical understanding of the lived experiences during transitions Allows for focus on the pivotal occupations of everyday living that were affected by injury Important to break transitions into smaller parts, and do so over time (ie. Multiple interviews), to gain depth and allow for true lived experience to evolve Co-construction of findings produces a narrative revealing the difficult and disruptive events leading to unwanted or forced change in occupations (abandoning old occupations, and accepting new occupations) ‘LIFE IS NOT A BOWL OF CHERRIES’ Metaphor #1 ‘LIFE IS NOT A BOWL OF CHERRIES’ (Renegotiating everyday function) Changed routines required this injured worker to adopt new strategies for acts of daily living, as seemingly simple tasks needed to be consciously adapted Ex. Cooking and grocery shopping became daunting tasks; forced to always cook “from scratch”, plan ahead, buy organic foods; in restaurants, needed to specify ingredients in dishes ‘TRYING TO LIVE IN A GLASS BUBBLE’ Metaphor #2 ‘TRYING TO LIVE IN A GLASS BUBBLE’ (Renegotiating means of mobility & accessibility to physical spaces) This injured worker struggled to know when and how to avoid possible consequences of exposure to certain spaces and places Ex. Developed a new radar to sense his way through different environments and learned to read his own body; does not sit near the television, or go down the soap aisle in the grocery store; This injured worker independently sought knowledge about chemical exposures and how they affect his body; appropriate use of transportation due to fumes ‘GOING THROUGH THE GRINDER’ Metaphor #3 ‘GOING THROUGH THE GRINDER’ (becoming an activist) In the healthcare context, the injured worker was treated with disrespect and was labeled and stigmatized as being non- genuine “being his brother’s keeper” Ex. This injured worker became motivated to become an activist by “being his brother’s keeper” and having passion to help others; he advocated for his past coworkers who were also exposed, some of whom died due to lack of support; he engaged in purposeful information sharing to increase awareness and educate others Research Findings Research Implications